Using Exchange email and mandatory pin-lock :(

[twister6]

This is just me venting out, not really an issue with N2 but rather those Exchange-pushed corporate policies like a mandatory pin-lock and file encryption. We have a lot of happy posts about how much we enjoy using the phone, and some not so happy about people having problems (which all fixable anyway).

Just wondering how many of your access Corporate Exchange account from your N2, thus being forced to CONSTANTLY punch in pin-lock every time screen turns off? I know there was a post on xda forum about some workaround, but it requires root, decompiling of email apk, and other stuff that can actually get you in trouble if company finds out about it (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1886743).

Don't get me wrong, it's not a gripe with a phone since I had it on my DX as well, just the whole thing were you have to constantly punch in the code and make sure its correct because after a few tries of incorrect entrees it will wipe out your phone (scared me a few times when my 4 year old got a hold of my phone and start punching random numbers lol!!!). I know, I'm whining about something I chose to do activate on my "fun" phone to combine work and after-work, but still it sucks. I know some people who carry 2 phones just for this purpose to have one for work with Exchange and its security policies, and one personal for fun use, but it's just too much to carry 2 phones, considering I was hoping I already have phone+tablet territory covered with N2

Anybody else in the same boat?

 

[Tomo1971]

I came from an HTC one x that had a 15 minute max timeout and found that to be ok but am annoyed with the immediate requirement for a pin on the note 2.

I downloaded touchdown mail. It has a pin but it's for the app not the device and it has a timeout setting as well.

 

[rabernet]

I have it too, but I changed mine to require it after 30 minutes, not every time my screen turns off.

Go to Settings/Lock Screen/Lock Automatically and set for 30 minutes.

Makes it a little more bearable. I'm more annoyed that I can't really set up a cool lock screen because of it.

 

[twister6]

I have it too, but I changed mine to require it after 30 minutes, not every time my screen turns off.

Go to Settings/Lock Screen/Lock Automatically and set for 30 minutes.

Makes it a little more bearable. I'm more annoyed that I can't really set up a cool lock screen because of it.

Uh, didn't realize I can delay my "misery" by 30 min! Good tip, thanks! Now, I wonder if anybody would come up with an app to extend this 30 min delay to a few hours, etc.

... btw, one thing I noticed with this 30 min delay - you have to use N2 power button to turn screen off. Using any screen-off app will lock the screen immediately thus overriding 30 min delay.

 

[drexappeal]

This is just me venting out, not really an issue with N2 but rather those Exchange-pushed corporate policies like a mandatory pin-lock and file encryption. We have a lot of happy posts about how much we enjoy using the phone, and some not so happy about people having problems (which all fixable anyway).

Just wondering how many of your access Corporate Exchange account from your N2, thus being forced to CONSTANTLY punch in pin-lock every time screen turns off? I know there was a post on xda forum about some workaround, but it requires root, decompiling of email apk, and other stuff that can actually get you in trouble if company finds out about it (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1886743).

Don't get me wrong, it's not a gripe with a phone since I had it on my DX as well, just the whole thing were you have to constantly punch in the code and make sure its correct because after a few tries of incorrect entrees it will wipe out your phone (scared me a few times when my 4 year old got a hold of my phone and start punching random numbers lol!!!). I know, I'm whining about something I chose to do activate on my "fun" phone to combine work and after-work, but still it sucks. I know some people who carry 2 phones just for this purpose to have one for work with Exchange and its security policies, and one personal for fun use, but it's just too much to carry 2 phones, considering I was hoping I already have phone+tablet territory covered with N2

Anybody else in the same boat?

I just loaded up Widgetlocker and don't have to deal with that automatic pin lock. It's not an option for everyone, but I have loved the functionality of Widgetlocker since last year and actually prefer it to the water unlock on Touchwiz.

The 30 min. delay still functions properly, so my phone will lock every 30 min., but not every time I put the phone on standby. This way, I can have swype to unlock, as well as the pin lock...but not needing to worry when I'm constantly unlocking the phone to use it.

 

[drexappeal]

I have it too, but I changed mine to require it after 30 minutes, not every time my screen turns off.

Go to Settings/Lock Screen/Lock Automatically and set for 30 minutes.

Makes it a little more bearable. I'm more annoyed that I can't really set up a cool lock screen because of it.

I found that even with the 30 minute delay for the pin, the phone would still lock using the TouchWiz (OEM) lockscreen. Not sure if it's the same for all corporate exchange, but it was still annoying that the pin would come up even with the 30 min. delay set.

 

[twister6]

Drex, I used WidgeLocker (from Nova developer, right?) back with my DX and I remember I still was prompted for pin-lock. Are you using corporate Exchange email with WidgeLocker and never have to use pin-lock (but rather WidgeLocker swipe to unlock the phone)? Please confirm.

Btw, I had 30min time limit set in my lock option, but it just changed to 20 min (max). Probably part of my exchange security setting? Also, you have to keep in mind, any Lock screen app will turn the screen off and "lock" the screen. I just tried a bunch of them from Play store. The only one which does screen off without locking it is Screen Off FX (also I'm not crazy about "fx" part of it). Otherwise, with 30min (or 20 in my case) lockscreen timeout you can use power button on the phone and within 20/30 min of turning it back on don't have to use pin-lock.

Still curious about your Widgetlocker vs Exchange setup where you don't have to use pin-lock (ever)?

 

[drexappeal]

Drex, I used WidgeLocker (from Nova developer, right?) back with my DX and I remember I still was prompted for pin-lock. Are you using corporate Exchange email with WidgeLocker and never have to use pin-lock (but rather WidgeLocker swipe to unlock the phone)? Please confirm.

Btw, I had 30min time limit set in my lock option, but it just changed to 20 min (max). Probably part of my exchange security setting? Also, you have to keep in mind, any Lock screen app will turn the screen off and "lock" the screen. I just tried a bunch of them from Play store. The only one which does screen off without locking it is Screen Off FX (also I'm not crazy about "fx" part of it). Otherwise, with 30min (or 20 in my case) lockscreen timeout you can use power button on the phone and within 20/30 min of turning it back on don't have to use pin-lock.

Still curious about your Widgetlocker vs Exchange setup where you don't have to use pin-lock (ever)?

Replied to your PM, but it will be useful information posting on this thread also.

Widgetlocker doesn't completely disable the pin, but it allows the automatic 30 min. lock function to actually work the way I want it to. For example, if I'm getting a lot of emails/texts within a short timeframe from one another, I can swipe to unlock using widgetlocker, without needing to enter my pin every time I put the phone in standby. If I leave the phone alone for 30min. or longer, the pin activates, so the next time I take the phone off standby, I need to re-enter my pin.

I like this better than the OEM because with the OEM (TouchWiz) locker enabled, you can't use swype to unlock in conjunction with the pin, without the pin activating every time you put the phone on standby.

That said, the one caveat that I've noticed (and plan on fixing by rooting the phone) is that the stupid (IMO) function of the phone coming out of standby, by pressing the home button, actually goes straight to the homescreen.

 

[twister6]

That said, the one caveat that I've noticed (and plan on fixing by rooting the phone) is that the stupid (IMO) function of the phone coming out of standby, by pressing the home button, actually goes straight to the homescreen.

Funny, I actually like that function Its the only time I can have everything disabled to get into my home screen without a need to swipe or type in any code

 

[drexappeal]

Funny, I actually like that function Its the only time I can have everything disabled to get into my home screen without a need to swipe or type in any code

Yeah, just depends on each individual's needs. I've pocketed all my phones (never use a case or a holster), so there have been a few instances where my phone has been off standby in my pocket. For security reasons, I'd just prefer 1 button being able to turn the phone on from standby.

-EDIT- I'm retracting my previous statement regarding the home button bi-passing the security pin. It doesn't...LOL. I'm so used to just pressing the side power button that I hadn't tested the home button in a while...but, pressing the home button after 30 min. of no use, it goes directly to the pin entry screen, rather than directly to the home screen. I personally still want to disable that functionality, but at least it's an update for those that want to try using widgetlocker instead of the OEM Touchwiz locker.

 

[rabernet]

I found that even with the 30 minute delay for the pin, the phone would still lock using the TouchWiz (OEM) lockscreen. Not sure if it's the same for all corporate exchange, but it was still annoying that the pin would come up even with the 30 min. delay set.

Knock wood, as long as I'm active on the phone, I can just press the home button or side power button to take it out of standby without having to enter the pin code, as long as it hasn't been 30 minutes since it went on standby.

 

[drexappeal]

Knock wood, as long as I'm active on the phone, I can just press the home button or side power button to take it out of standby without having to enter the pin code, as long as it hasn't been 30 minutes since it went on standby.

Are you able to use swype to unlock though? I should've been more clear that this was while having swype to unlock and the pin code.

 

[rabernet]

Are you able to use swype to unlock though? I should've been more clear that this was while having swype to unlock and the pin code.

It doesn't take me to lock screen until after the 30 minutes of idle, and then it only requires the pin. So no swype.

 

[drexappeal]

It doesn't take me to lock screen until after the 30 minutes of idle, and then it only requires the pin. So no swype.

I understand. If I were to disable swype to unlock, then my pin unlock would work exactly as yours does.

I was just trying to clarify that my earlier explanations were while using both swype to unlock and mandatory exchange pin. The OEM swype to unlock could not stay on in conjunction with the PIN unlock, without the PIN unlock being activated every time going into standby (regardless of the 30 min. wait time for the pin to activate). Using widgetlocker, I can use swype to unlock from widgetlocker (TouchWiz Swype unlock has to be turned off) and the 30 min. wait time to activate the pin actually works perfectly, without forcing the pin on every time I go into standby (within a 30 min. window).

 

[rabernet]

I understand. If I were to disable swype to unlock, then my pin unlock would work exactly as yours does.

I was just trying to clarify that my earlier explanations were while using both swype to unlock and mandatory exchange pin. The OEM swype to unlock could not stay on in conjunction with the PIN unlock, without the PIN unlock being activated every time going into standby (regardless of the 30 min. wait time for the pin to activate). Using widgetlocker, I can use swype to unlock from widgetlocker (TouchWiz Swype unlock has to be turned off) and the 30 min. wait time to activate the pin actually works perfectly, without forcing the pin on every time I go into standby (within a 30 min. window).

Got it! As you may have guessed, I'm not the most technically gifted of the group!

 

[drexappeal]

Got it! As you may have guessed, I'm not the most technically gifted of the group!

I actually didn't guess that at all...LOL...I just wanted to make it clear that it wasn't possible to keep the stock swype to unlock with the corporate exchange pin and not have the pin automatically activate every time the phone goes into standby. Widgetlocker was a suitable workaround for my needs, since there are many times throughout the day that I'll continue to swype to unlock and place the phone on standby, while going back to the phone a few minutes later. Using Widgetlocker at least prevents the phone's need to activate the pin code right away, while still having the security of swype to unlock.