Galaxy S4 Android lock-screen and phone wipe?

bwanshoom wrote:
Bill S, if you check the link I posted it says that applies to Verizon only. Since you're on AT&T it wouldn't apply.

Thanks. I missed that detail. :o

I guess that explains why I don't need a screen lock, as well as why my S3 doesn't work, since ATT is still able to block it. Which takes me back to why I bought a rooted phone.

Bill S, if you check the link I posted it says that applies to Verizon only. Since you're on AT&T it wouldn't apply.

So glad OP started this thread, as I thought I knew the answer to one of his questions. But now, from what I've learned here, FoxFi should never have worked on my S3, without a screen lock. But no screen lock requirement (or option) was ever presented, when installing FoxFi.

The OS is Android 4.3, and when I install the SIM card, FF starts, but then a popup window says something to the effect that to use WiFi hotspot feature, contact AT&T Wireless. FF should not even get that far without screen-lock, correct?

And with what FoxFi states about WHY it's required; e.g. to get around carrier blocking, shouldn't I still be able to use FF on my non-rooted S3 without paying them an additional monthly?

Oh, and BTW, I just tried FF on my rooted S4, 4.4.4, no screen lock, and FF works. Now I'm really puzzled. I hope if someone here has some answers, they will post away, as this would not only with me not being able to use my S3, but many others who are facing this challenge.

From FoxFi/PDA Net:

In order to get around the mobile hotspot plan FoxFi needs to install a certificate to bypass the carrier blockage. A certificate installation is considered "security changes" on your phone, and Android 4.1 or later system requires a screen lock if *any* security changes is made (Android 4.4 further limits Screen Lock options to PIN or Password only).

Note the part about Android 4.1 and later. That explains why you previously did not have to do this and now you do. It's an OS requirement.

Wrace, my first thought when I read about the FF lockscreen here, was also that mine is rooted. But when I used FF on my S3 (not rooted), before I made the mistake of allowing that ATT update, it worked fine, and no lockscreen. Butm that was in 2013. The FF on my S4 was installed from the play store, back in April this year. Maybe there is an option to enable/disable that 'requirement'? Maybe some else will weigh in here.

Bill S. wrote:

I bought a rooted S4, installed FF, and it works, and without using a lock screen. Why and when did they start with the lockscreen? And why does my s4 work without it? Puzzled.

I'm not sure when they started requiring it specifically, as I just got the phone a few months ago and paid for foxfi ($7) right out of the gates as we were going camping and wanted the mobile hotspot. (which this phone works exceptionally well for that task) I have not been able to figure out how or if the lock-screen itself can be turned off.

My wife liked the S4 so much that she purchased one for herself from the same ebay supplier.

My son has had the S4 since it first came out years ago and he rooted his right off the bat. He uses his S4 for everything, including as a mobile hotspot with no requirement of any additional apps to do so. I suspect your S4 works without the lock-screen requirement because it's rooted.

I have the paid version of FF on my S3, and no lockscreen needed. But with one of the ATT update nag messages, I finally caved, did the " update", and ever since, ATT blocks any tether ap fromworking, unless I pay for a larger data plan (mine is 2gb/month, no rollover, but I never even came close to exceeding it). But thats not the point of my post.

I bought a rooted S4, installed FF, and it works, and without using a lock screen. Why and when did they start with the lockscreen? And why does my s4 work without it? Puzzled.

MrWizard wrote:
i don't mind the lock screen it stops pocket calls

i found battery doctor to use more resources than its worth, it runs all the time and constantly doing alerts

maybe it works better for some people or phones than others

love my S4, i have kit kat 4.4.4
i am avoiding doing the update to 5,0 Lollipop

I switched to Power Clean. It seems to do the job, and doesn't bother me as often as Battery Doctor.

i don't mind the lock screen it stops pocket calls

i found battery doctor to use more resources than its worth, it runs all the time and constantly doing alerts

maybe it works better for some people or phones than others

love my S4, i have kit kat 4.4.4
i am avoiding doing the update to 5,0 Lollipop

I strongly suggest you download one or both of the following free apps:

Battery Doctor
Power Clean

These apps will tell you what apps are running in the background and eating battery and maybe data, and give you the option to shut them down. It's annoying to me that many of these apps are doing none of us any favors by running in the background, but it is what it is. Using the above apps has extended my battery life by a major amount, and the phone runs faster. I respectfully disagree with the poster who said that the Android OS takes care of this. That has NOT been my experience. Try the free apps, they are immensely popular and there is a reason for that -- they work! Battery Doctor has 100 million downloads and is one of the most often downloaded free apps.

Re FoxFi and forcing you to use a lock screen. That was annoying to me also, as I hate having to use a lock screen. When you are finished using FoxFi, there is a way to shut that stupid lock screen back off, but it is several steps. It's been a while, so I don't remember all the steps, but you could google that and probably find them.

My suggestion is that you try out Easy Tether Pro. It is a much better tethering app than FoxFi, and it won't force you to use a lock screen. You can tether with it using a USB cable or via Bluetooth wirelessly. I use the USB cable and it is much more reliable than FoxFi, never drops the connection on me. I haven't used the Bluetooth method. I don't recall if it is on Google Play. I bought it on Amazon Apps, cost is $5 or $10, and well worth it. They might have a free trial version, I don't recall. I've used it for 4 or 5 years now. I would never go back to FoxFi.

I have no association with any of the apps mentioned, other than being a satisfied user of the apps. Good luck!