Exchange activesync password lock

[thetingster]

I am running 2.1 v2 on my Droid Eris and I set up my work email (exchange) through Activesync.

Now every time the lock screen appears I can't open it up without a password. I want this turned off. I have read elsewhere that you can install apps that overcome the lock. However, I am exploring other ways to work around this. Does anyone else have experience with this? I would like to not have to enter the password in every time the phone screen locks. I also don't necessarily want an app running in the background either.

Any ideas?

 

[baffle]

Now every time the lock screen appears I can't open it up without a password. I want this turned off.

What about just coaxing your Exchange administrator to set up a passwordless policy on your account?

 

[400ixl]

Can't see how you will do it without an app running or having the exchange policy changed. The security policy changes a setting and regularly checks it hasn't been changed back. The app does the exact opposite and kepps changing it back.

Lock Picker is the app that does it.

 

[Ianman]

Thank you Stu. This was really annoying me!!

 

[dis3as3d]

Bumping this thread since I found it helpful.

-dis3as3d

 

[markdmac]

Lock picker does not work with Android 2.2. Anyone found a solution for 2.2?

 

[androidguy22]

After trying since November- and giving up for a while- I was finally able to sync with Exchange Activesync for my work email. Not liking the password to access either. I decided I didn't want to bother with the password, so I deleted my account, The password to access is still active after uninstalling Activesync?? Swell.

Not wanting to do a factory reset so...reinstalled and I am simply dealing with the password issue.

 

[markdmac]

Androidguy22 to removw the password just do the following.

1. delete the Exchange account.
2. go into Settings/Security/Select Device Administrators
3. remove email from device admins.
4. you can now set no password or a pattern lock.

If anyone knows of an Android 2.2 equivalent of lock picker please let me know.

 

[PCYR]

Androidguy22 to removw the password just do the following.

1. delete the Exchange account.
2. go into Settings/Security/Select Device Administrators
3. remove email from device admins.
4. you can now set no password or a pattern lock.

If anyone knows of an Android 2.2 equivalent of lock picker please let me know.

I have removed my Exchange Account. I still have the password disabled greyed out. I went into Device Administrators and I see the Corporate Sync device admin but I can't do anything with it. ??

 

[markdmac]

You should be able to remove the device admin after unlocking the phone. Then from there you can select none for the security or select pattern lock. I am not aware of any Exchange security features that should be able to prevent you from doing this. I am just a regular user on my corporate network and I was able to use the above procedure to remove the password. Regretfully I had to put it back on since I need to sync my corporate email.

 

[PCYR]

Thanks markdmac for the post. for some reason still not able to remove the device admin. I will keep searching.

 

[PCYR]

Reymer: Hi, my name is Reymer. How may I help you?
Phil Cyr: The option to disable my PIN lock is greyed out. how can I get access to it?
Reymer: What is the model of your phone?
Phil Cyr: A955
Reymer: I am sorry Phil but we will not be able to disable that.
Phil Cyr: Why not?
Reymer: That is a default function of the phone. That is the reason why the option is grayed out.
Phil Cyr: It was not grayed out when I got the phone. It became grayed out when I installed my corporate sync account because there was a requirement to have a password from the exchange server. I removed the password requirement. I removed the corporate sync account. And it is still grayed out. I did not have a pin lock when I first got the phone
Reymer: You need to call your IT person, Phil.
Phil Cyr: Is there a way to get my complaint escalated to someone who can help me? The android forums are full of people who have made this exact fix and whose PIN locks are NOT grayed out?
Phil Cyr: If I call my IT person, what should I ask him?
Reymer: Please let him know that you need to disable your pin lock.
Phil Cyr: I did. He says there is no requirement for a PIN lock from the exchange server and it is a motorola problem. Now what?
Reymer: I am sorry but since the pin lock function was grayed out after you set up your corporate account, it is your IT person who can disable that.
Phil Cyr: You said earlier it was a default function of the phone. If so, how would my IT person know how to do this?
Reymer: That is after the corporate account is set up. It also happens after the 2.2 software update. You can try deleting the corporate account.
Phil Cyr: I did. with the account deleted I still have the PIN lock grayed out.
Reymer: Sorry Phil, but in that case, only your IT person can help you with the Pin lock.
Phil Cyr: OK. Let's pretend that I am my IT person. "Reymer - I have a Droid 2 here with the PIN lock grayed out. I have no requirement for a PIN lock from my Exchange Server. What should I do next?"
Reymer: But Phil, you're not an IT person.
Phil Cyr: Un-fricking- believable. Reymer - you either have a warped sense of humor, or are stupid, or both. Trust me, this chat session will end up at Motorola headquarters.
Reymer: I have given you all possible options, Phil.
Reymer: I am just following our policies, so if you think that's stupid, sorry about that.
You have disconnected.

 

[kaisermac]

Androidguy22 to removw the password just do the following.

1. delete the Exchange account.
2. go into Settings/Security/Select Device Administrators
3. remove email from device admins.
4. you can now set no password or a pattern lock.

If anyone knows of an Android 2.2 equivalent of lock picker please let me know.

I found the key to solving this issue is as stated, however, the exchange administrator must first create a *new* activesync policy that does not require a password. Modifying the current policy does not seem to work. Once that is done you can follow the steps above and you will have the access to remove the email from device admins.

 

[sysop]

Honestly, this thread is ridiculous. I know I'm going to get dismissed as a 'troll' because people want to keep doing this, but as someone who runs IT departments, the only solution here is to ask for a policy change. If the answer is no, then either live with it, or remove the corporate mail server.

It's beyond arrogant (and probably against your company's acceptable use policy, and thus a firing offense) to presume that you know better and try to circumvent the security policy. On our systems we also enforce the requirement that the phone wipes itself after too many incorrect tries. This is to safeguard the company.

Imagine you are a sales guy who decided he just wasn't going to use a password and circumvents the policy. Then, as most non-technical users seem destined to do, he leaves his phone somewhere at some conference or expo - where there are hundreds of competitors in attendance. Because he didn't password lock his phone, a competitor is now going through all his email, and now knows all currently open opportunities (the most recent email), as well as internal confidential info (e.g. sales numbers, revenues, pipelines, funnels, etc) - as well as the sales persons calendar of meetings with customers. The potential damage here is incalculable - perhaps even enough to sink the company.

If you want work email but don't want to protect your personal phone, then get a separate work phone - or live without it. Don't compromise your employer - and all your colleagues - because of your arrogance and need for convenience, just because you don't value your own personal data.

Thanks for listening - if I seem cranky it's because of the few users who seem to think they know better that IT has to always deal with!

R.