Disable Exchange Lock Screen to Use Google Now - Moto X Q&A

I love the idea of OK Google Now, but have been told that it won't work if you are running an Exchange email account. Apparently, when you talk to it, you have to manually unlock the screen before it will do its thing.
Here's my question. Is there a way to disable the lock screen, so OGN can work hands free?
Thanks in advanc.

Use touchdown for exchange instead of native email app... even if it didn't do this I would recommend it.. Best exchange integration since leaving Blackberry..
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

johnmolino said:
Use touchdown for exchange instead of native email app... even if it didn't do this I would recommend it.. Best exchange integration since leaving Blackberry..
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Do you, in fact, know whether Touchdown doesn't require a lock screen?
Thanks.

drjim said:
Do you, in fact, know whether Touchdown doesn't require a lock screen?
Thanks.
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Click to collapse
Touchdown has it's own pin screen separate from the phones lock screen. So it still fulfills the Exchange requirements without locking up your phone.

bclenney said:
Touchdown has it's own pin screen separate from the phones lock screen. So it still fulfills the Exchange requirements without locking up your phone.
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Click to collapse
So, "OK, Google Now," will work hands-free without having to manually unlock the Moto X if I use Touchdown?
BTW, I'm buying a Moto X tomorrow, thus the questions.
Much appreciated.

On the topic of the email client and Exchange Active Sync, the only OK Google Now function that works with a PIN or password lock screen is to make phone calls. I have the Moto X with an Exchange account set up using the default client and all I can do hands free at the lock screen is make phone calls. I'm no expert but one would think an Exchange Active Sync policy to enforce a lock screen PIN or password is determined by the account set up and not by the email application used. Just my 2 cents...
Sent from my XT1058 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

drjim said:
So, "OK, Google Now," will work hands-free without having to manually unlock the Moto X if I use Touchdown?
BTW, I'm buying a Moto X tomorrow, thus the questions.
Much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touchdown sets up its own little sandbox that all the activesync policies will be applied to. So you can use the rest of the phone without locking if you choose. There are also Exchange policy bypass solutions out there if you have root.

detmar said:
Touchdown sets up its own little sandbox that all the activesync policies will be applied to. So you can use the rest of the phone without locking if you choose. There are also Exchange policy bypass solutions out there if you have root.
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Click to collapse
I found that I could select None in the Security settings to bypass the lockscreen. So, now I can just say OK, Google Now and everything works flawlessly.
Problem solved!

For those who have enforced security settings, like me, selecting None, or anything your IT guys don't allow, won't be an option. In that case you can root, install Xposed, and then one of the Exchange security bypass modules within Xposed. If you already have the security restrictions in place, remove and re-add the Exchange account from your phone.
I went through all this just so I could use a NFC Skip tag in my car's holder with Google Now. I still use a PIN as only an idiot would walk around with a completely unlocked phone all the time.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

I use the stock Exchange app and don't love the restrictions that it put son my device (because it takes the functionality of the phone away). I looked at Touchdown as a replacement, but it doesn't seem to integrate the calendar. I don't really care much about reading my email on my phone, I mostly just delete stuff I don't need or see if there is something real urgent to go to my PC for.
What I do value a lot from it is my calendar. I have my Outlook calendar synced as well and it merges with my Google calendar (and my girlfriend's Google calendar) in my agenda widget on my home screen.
That said, are there any good apps (free or pay) that can do an Exchange calendar only, and potentially don't require the same restrictions as the full setup? OR, can I get the calendar from Touchdown to integrate into my Google Calendar app/agenda widget somehow?
I suspect it probably isn't possible, but I'd love if it was.

Related

Corporate Exchange Sync hack

I'm looking for help. When I connect to my company's exchange server, it forces down policies that turn off data when roaming, and requires a 6 digit pin to be entered in at least once every 15 minutes. My phone is rooted, running DarkDroid, deodexed and debloated. I'm trying to find a way to remove that PIN requirement. As to sync to exchange without allowing the sync to be a phone administrator. Can anyone help me with that?
Sounds like an inherited setting that your company has synced to it when you synced your company account to it. My dad's droid x acts similarly, and so does my D3 with my school email. Allowing the phone to sync with a corporate account allows for them to do things like that (like in my case it would be remote wiping, not a forcing of certain data services).
Yes, but with a rooted phone, I should be able to maintain the email without using their policies. That's my goal. And remote wipe is indeed in effect. Its very upsetting.
ChristianPreachr said:
Yes, but with a rooted phone, I should be able to maintain the email without using their policies. That's my goal. And remote wipe is indeed in effect. Its very upsetting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually an e-mail administrator for my company and am interested in this thread, as this would be a huge violation of security policies and would create a HUGE risk, which would require us to re-evaluate our mobile device policy.
A potential work-around for your issue might be to use TouchDown, I think there is a way to only prompt you for the passwords only when you open up work related emails.
I only hope your not from my company. Tho I'm certain there's a way to spoof the exchange server. It only needs to think that I have the policies. It doesn't check as the policies can't be removed while the account is active. Ill update this when I figure it out....and I will figure it out.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
There is an app in the Market called "Enhanced Email" that I have been using since the OG droid came out. It allows you to sync an exchange account and bypass exchange security policies. It is a paid app, but worth it for what it does. You set up the account using the web access url and it works beautifully.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA App
Bottom line is if you don't want to have a pin, etc, don't sync email to exchange. Either abide by the rules or don't use the service.
Try an imap connection instead?
Or get your company to use Good. We do.
Sent from my DROID3 using xda premium
jediman said:
Bottom line is if you don't want to have a pin, etc, don't sync email to exchange. Either abide by the rules or don't use the service.
Try an imap connection instead?
Or get your company to use Good. We do.
Sent from my DROID3 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Abide by the rules or don't use it, then you suggest another method of connection? Irony much?
That said, rules don't bother me. The fact that they can remote wipe my device based off a pin bothers me. Limiting my control over my device bothers me. You're right, I don't have to use it. But I want my cake and eat it too. And by all means, I'll have my cake!
FOUND!
There's an email apk that completely removes the security from the app. Can't enforce that which does not exist. I doubt there's a way "rectify" this without creating your own email app that you would push to a device.
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-hacks/141253-email-apk-without-exchange-security.html

Touchdown emails notification truncated

I'm running Gear Manager 1.5.120903 and Software UAMK7 on Note 3. I'm considering returning my gear because i don't not get full body notifications from Touchdown, my work email exchange client, I do get the title of the emails but to see the full body I have to go manually into the app on the watch. On the other hand gmail works just fine. Any fixes?
I understand the Sony SWII gives full email content notifications.
I believe that it is because your Outlook server has security settings that make it that way. Mine did. Also made it so I had to have a lock screen with a pin code to unlock.
I Google searched Outlook no pin for android 4.3 and found a solution that worked. I had to flash a zip file.
Anyways. I think the issue is with your email server. Not the watch...
TroyLeeWells said:
I believe that it is because your Outlook server has security settings that make it that way. Mine did. Also made it so I had to have a lock screen with a pin code to unlock.
I Google searched Outlook no pin for android 4.3 and found a solution that worked. I had to flash a zip file.
Anyways. I think the issue is with your email server. Not the watch...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but can't root my phone as IT can tell. However why does Sony S2 work? Just bought one today and the touchdown email comes thru as a notification complete with entire email body
My company changed over to requiring Maas360 and TouchDown for accessing the 2010 Exchange Server. I poked around through the TouchDown settings to find the new server address and was able to setup my work account using the stock email app. TouchDown is still installed but pretty much disabled. I have had no issues with my work email account and get most of the email body on my gear. Don't know if this will work for you, but it's worth a shot.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
mhonard said:
Thanks but can't root my phone as IT can tell. However why does Sony S2 work? Just bought one today and the touchdown email comes thru as a notification complete with entire email body
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm fairly certain that this is because Touchdown isn't specifically designed to work with the Gear, and as a result it's just trying to do its best. If Nitrodesk updated their software to specifically communicate with the Gear it'd work ok. You may want to send them a request email, I'm probably going to.
[email protected] said:
My company changed over to requiring Maas360 and TouchDown for accessing the 2010 Exchange Server. I poked around through the TouchDown settings to find the new server address and was able to setup my work account using the stock email app. TouchDown is still installed but pretty much disabled. I have had no issues with my work email account and get most of the email body on my gear. Don't know if this will work for you, but it's worth a shot.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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WOW this was great advice So Simple never thought to give it a try or even considered it would work. I now have complete email messages on my gear thru exchange. Thanks

[Q] Mute the boot up sound on encrypted phone?

So, my phone has to be encrypted to get corporate mail. Even though I have the silent boot up option checked it still makes a sound. I assume this is because when it first turns on it's not actually accessing my settings (It does the animation, asks for my pin and then "boots up" again) but I was wondering if anyone had any solutions.
Educated guess: the phone settings are stored in the /data partition which is the partition that's encrypted, so the settings can't be read at boot time. Disabling the boot sound would require root so it can be removed or replaced by silence I guess.
Bobb_o said:
So, my phone has to be encrypted to get corporate mail. Even though I have the silent boot up option checked it still makes a sound. I assume this is because when it first turns on it's not actually accessing my settings (It does the animation, asks for my pin and then "boots up" again) but I was wondering if anyone had any solutions.
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Click to collapse
You might try Nine - Exchange ActiveSync email client. It allows the device administrator security policy to be applied to the application rather than the entire device, so full device encryption isn't required in order to use corporate exchange email.
cschmitt said:
You might try Nine - Exchange ActiveSync email client. It allows the device administrator security policy to be applied to the application rather than the entire device, so full device encryption isn't required in order to use corporate exchange email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Nine sync your exchange calendar to the stock Sony calendar app?
Sent from my Nexus 5
phositadc said:
Does Nine sync your exchange calendar to the stock Sony calendar app?
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Click to collapse
Yes, -- Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Notes can all be synced. Stock calendar works, although I use Google Calendar app instead.
cschmitt said:
Yes, -- Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Notes can all be synced. Stock calendar works, although I use Google Calendar app instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you ever used Touchdown? Any thoughts on Touchdown vs Nine?
Sent from my Nexus 5
Touchdown works fine, but it hasn't been updated in a while and its user interface looks like it's from the 90s. I switched to Nine because it has a much nicer, modern interface and with the latest updates it also has some nice features Touchdown doesn't have. I'm using it in combination with Tasks & Notes because it's still lacking in that department although they're improving it constantly, both apps work very well together because they have a similar modern look and feel. Nine support is also very good, I once reported a small bug and it was fixed within 24 hours. I can really recommend it, we're using Zarafa with Z-Push and it works as good with it as it does with Exchange.
Any idea if Nine encrypts the application data when applying the security policy to the application level? Seems like a huge security liability if that's not the case.
I don't know, I'm using full system encryption (and Android L will do that by default).
Corrion said:
Any idea if Nine encrypts the application data when applying the security policy to the application level? Seems like a huge security liability if that's not the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I believe that it does because it requires it's own application specific PIN which is probably used for the encryption key.
I emailed the support desk at Nine, and they responded (within 15 minutes at midnight!) that the cached and application data is not encrypted, but is in the plans. I bought the application anyways since the interface is so nice, but I look forward to when they get that implemented.
Corrion said:
I emailed the support desk at Nine, and they responded (within 15 minutes at midnight!) that the cached and application data is not encrypted, but is in the plans. I bought the application anyways since the interface is so nice, but I look forward to when they get that implemented.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to know, I just assumed the PIN was used for encryption but it looks like they require it only to satisfy the pin code requirement of the security policy.
I definitely like the interface and the active development. Since I started using Nine several months ago they've added Notes, Tasks, GAL photos, mark read on delete, etc., etc.

pin/pass lock removal needed after Android 6 Marshmallow

After upgrading to Android 6 and doing a factory wipe on my Nexus 6 it now requires me to use pin or pass locks so that I can add my exchange email accounts. I never like this as I am always checking my phone so to keep entering a pin is a pain. If I go into Device Administrators I can disable email but it deleted the email accounts.
Is there anyway I can disable/remove the use of a pin to unlock the phone but still have my exchange email accounts? Why has this suddenly changed in Android 6, it wasn't a requirement when I was running Lollipop?
Turn on Smart Lock either with a bluetooth connection or a location.
I can't, smart lock is greyed out
Prototypeuk said:
After upgrading to Android 6 and doing a factory wipe on my Nexus 6 it now requires me to use pin or pass locks so that I can add my exchange email accounts. I never like this as I am always checking my phone so to keep entering a pin is a pain. If I go into Device Administrators I can disable email but it deleted the email accounts.
Is there anyway I can disable/remove the use of a pin to unlock the phone but still have my exchange email accounts? Why has this suddenly changed in Android 6, it wasn't a requirement when I was running Lollipop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a requirement set by who ever runs your Exchange system, that is what I do for a living. Why you didn't see in on lollipop I can't answer, perhaps they just turned it on in Exchange. But that seems like a heck of a coincidence that they did it at the same time you upgraded. Maybe you set it up before they added the requirement and your phone didn't see the change until you wiped it and reset it up. That would surprise me to. Dunno.
What I do is I use the Nine email app for my Exchange account, it allows you to set the Exchange pin requirement to just that app. It is also much better on battery than using the Gmail app.
I run the mail server so I can tell you that I know for sure I didn't change anything on it. The mail server is Kerio Connect not Exchange by Microsoft. That's really odd if you say it is the server which sets that security policy because as I said until I upgraded I didn't have to use a pin
Prototypeuk said:
I run the mail server so I can tell you that I know for sure I didn't change anything on it. The mail server is Kerio Connect not Exchange by Microsoft. That's really odd if you say it is the server which sets that security policy because as I said until I upgraded I didn't have to use a pin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the settings for the ActiveSync policy in Kerio and see if it is turned on. I just tested my Exchange server with 6. If I turn it off in Exchange the phone does not require a pin/password. As soon as I turn it back on it requires one.
TonikJDK said:
Check the settings for the ActiveSync policy in Kerio and see if it is turned on. I just tested my Exchange server with 6. If I turn it off in Exchange the phone does not require a pin/password. As soon as I turn it back on it requires one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've checked the settings and there is nothing enabled. I tried installing Nine and it worked fine without a pin but my trial has now ended and I don't want to have to pay for an app that I didn't use to need
Set a simple pattern lock in Settings > Security. Then set the Automatically lock to 30 minutes and turn off Power button instantly locks. Go into Smartlock and add a trusted device, like bluetooth headset, smartwatch, or other bt device. And/or add one or more trusted places. If in a trusted place or using a trusted device, you won't have to unlock. Also, it won't lock for 30 minutes after you unlock it if you have had to. These steps have allowed me to almost never have to unlock with my pattern.

What Email app do you use?

I'm currently using Email by Edison software. Have a couple Gmail accounts and a university email (office 365).
I am using Gmail App (personal) and Nine App (Work/Exchange).. Perfect setup for me..
Gmail for both private and work.
Aqua mail personal and Blue Mail work.
Gmail for personal use and Outlook for work
Protonmail. Personal and work use.
Gmail mostly on my Phone's and Chromebook...
Gmail for personal and Outlook for work.
Tiz92 said:
Gmail for both private and work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't email get forced to employ the policies from your work? I hate that, only few apps seem to get around that.
harpin14789 said:
Doesn't email get forced to employ the policies from your work? I hate that, only few apps seem to get around that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im a PhD sfudent and it seems that my university doesnt care which app Im using.
Tiz92 said:
Im a PhD sfudent and it seems that my university doesnt care which app Im using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats nice. My university applies policy through most apps. Like requiring pin instead of pattern and some other annoying stuff.
harpin14789 said:
Thats nice. My university applies policy through most apps. Like requiring pin instead of pattern and some other annoying stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh god, that sounds terrific.
Aqua mail premium its the best one out there. More features than gmail and no compromises.
I used to use BlueMail but out of nowhere it started keeping my device awake while the screen is off. BBS showed 99% awake with screen off and only 1% deep sleep over an 8 hour span.
Partial Wakelocks showed BlueMail as the offender and uninstalling and setting it up from scratch didn't seem to help. I didn't want to use anything like Greenify since I still wanted to receive email notifications, so I gave up and tried an app simply named "Email".
Email was good but seemed a bit too simple to the point where it felt feature-lacking.
I've since switched to Outlook and it's been awesome! Simple yet has a solid amount of functionality.
Outlook all the way for me.
Outlook for personal and work. Good feature set and works seamlessly with my work account.
harpin14789 said:
Doesn't email get forced to employ the policies from your work? I hate that, only few apps seem to get around that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats why I use bluemail. I don't like the policies my work adds.
I use Nine for email. Love it!
borijess said:
Thats why I use bluemail. I don't like the policies my work adds.
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Click to collapse
I used to use bluemail but I heard something about privacy.
Best email app out there is blue mail. Full featured, free, works with exchange, soooo many options.

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