Android: screen lock disabled by admin, policy or credentials - what to do?

If you get the error "Admin screen lock, policy or login data deactivated" in the Settings app, you can no longer remove the lock code of the lock screen. We show why this error occurs and how you can fix it.

Admin, policy or credentials screen lock disabled: Disable VPN

If the button to deactivate the screen lock in Android is greyed out, this is not an error, but a protective measure. One reason for this is a VPN connection that requires a code on your lockscreen for security reasons. Therefore delete all existing VPN connections:

1. To do this, start the Settings app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Then tap "More" in the "Wireless & networks" section.
3. There you decide on the entry "VPN".
4. Tap on each individual entry here and select "Delete".

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Admin, policy, or credentials screen lock disabled: edit administrators

If you are not using VPN connections, another app is probably to blame for the problem. Some apps such as antivirus tools lock the settings of the lockscreen code for security reasons.

1. Therefore, open the Settings app on your Android device again.
2. In the "Privacy & Security" section, tap the "Security" entry.
3. Now select the "Device administrators" option under "Device management".
4. Tap on each entry there and select "Deactivate". Repeat this step for all administrators.
5. Now deactivate your lockscreen code. You can then reactivate all administrators one after the other and find out which app is blocking the settings.

Admin, policy, or credentials screen lock disabled: edit credentials

The last culprit can be app credentials. For this reason, delete all CA certificates that were created by the programs on your smartphone.

1. To do this, start the Settings app again.
2. Now in the "Privacy & Security" section tap on the "Security" option.
3. Scroll down to the "Credentials" section.
4. There, tap on the "Delete login data" entry and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Then all restrictions in the settings are removed and you can remove your lock code.

Emergency solution: Sign in with a Google account

Follow the above steps in order if the message no longer appears. However, the procedure does not work reliably with all smartphones.

• As some users reported, it can help, however, if you subsequently enter your lockscreen PIN incorrectly until the cell phone is locked. You then have to log in with your Google account to regain access to the smartphone. Then delete the app credentials again to permanently remove the message.
• If that is not enough, you currently have no choice but to wait for an update for Android. It can be assumed that the manufacturers will soon fix the bug.

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Once you have your lockscreen back under control, you can switch to an alternative lockscreen. This article is based on Android 6.0 on the Honor 7.