Making sure your device is protected
You can prevent other people from using your device without your permission. For
example, if your device is lost, stolen, or wiped, only someone with your Google™
account or screen lock information can use the device. To make sure that your device
is protected, it is important that you set a secure screen lock and add your Google™
account on your device. It is crucial that you remember both your screen lock
information and your Google™ account credentials. To make sure your device is
protected, you can:
•
Set a secure screen lock on your device, that is, a PIN, password, or pattern screen
lock to prevent anyone from resetting your device. For more information, see
Screen
lock
on page 12.
•
Add a Google™ account to prevent others from using your device if it gets stolen
and/or wiped. For more information, see
Why do I need a Google™ account?
on
page 11.
•
Activate either the “Protection by my Xperia” or the Android™ Device Manager web
service. Using one of these services, you can remotely locate, lock or erase a lost
device. For more information, see
Finding a lost device
on page 19 .
Verifying the ownership of your device
When your device is protected, you need to either unlock your screen with your PIN,
password, pattern, or enter your Google™ account information depending on the
protection features you are using. Below are examples of protection features and
some of the required credentials:
Factory Data
Reset protection
You must unlock your screen before you are allowed to perform a Factory Data Reset.
Protection by
my Xperia
If you remotely reset your device using this service, you must enter the username and
password for a Google™ account associated with the service. The device must be
connected to the Internet before the setup process can be completed. Otherwise, you
will not be able to use your device after the reset.
Android™
Device Manager
If you remotely reset your device using this service, you must enter the username and
password for a Google™ account. The device must be connected to the Internet
before the setup process can be completed. Otherwise, you will not be able to use
your device after the reset.
Software repair
If you use the Xperia™ Companion software to perform a software repair, you’re asked
to enter your Google™ account username and password when you start the device
after the repair is complete.
For Android™ Device Manager, it is necessary to enter information from a Google™ account.
This can be any Google™ account which you have set up on the device. If you cannot provide
the relevant account information during a setup process, you won't be able to use the device
at all.