Can't login with pin after changing password

orchard800

When I set up my pixel 3a I chose to set a pin to unlock the lock screen. I since changed my password in term and now cannot login with the pin.

The pin code should really be separate to the password.

Also, I was unable to use sudo apt install. Some warning about a partial list missing.

AppLee

Hi @orchard800

I don't really understand what is your problem.
So I'll try to explain what is...

To use your phone you need to unlock it and often unlock your sim.
The SIM card has a pin code to unlock it, it is usually required once at each boot.

Then to unlock your phone you can opt for various methods, no code (just swipe), pin code, password or fingerprint.
If you set a password then you need to use the password to unlock it not a pin that is not set...

Edit: Also you might want to read the FAQ so you better understand how Ubuntu Touch works
https://forums.ubports.com/topic/6839/frequently-asked-questions?_=1676461578604

Lakotaubp

@orchard800 @orchard800 Are you on about changing in the terminal for some reason and if so why. Are you meaning the root password for some reason?
If that password will not open the phone then you may end up reinstalling UT but I am not sure as is @AppLee what you have tried to do. More details please.

Moem

@orchard800 said in Can't login with pin after changing password:

The pin code should really be separate to the password.

Well, it's not. You removed the pin, and replaced it by a password; can you now log in with that password?

Also, I was unable to use sudo apt install. Some warning about a partial list missing.

Apt is not supported in Ubuntu Touch. That is because the root file system is read-only.

arubislander

@orchard800 As @Moem mentioned, the code you set to unlock your device (pin or password) becomes the password for your user.

Ubuntu Touch is set up like regular Ubuntu with a locked root account and the main user with sudo privileges. So doing things like su - will not work. If you really need to start a root session (not for using apt, that is not supported) you could do sudo su - instead.

What happened to you was that you set up a pin via the GUI, and then went and changed that to an alphanumeric password from the command line. Since the GUI still thinks you have a numeric password it presents to you the numeric keypad for easier entry. This leaves you with no way to enter the other characters of your password, effectively locking you out of your device via the GUI. (ADB access might still have been possible if you had set that up previously.)

The takeaway is this: if you want increased security, set a password via the settings, not a pin.

Having said that, a change is in the pipeline to allow setting of longer pins than the four digits that is currently the case.