LeapFrog Epic part 1: The hidden Lock Screen.

EDIT: If you have any inquiries or are getting stuck with updating the ROM, kindly let me know either on the LeapFrog Epic Guy page on Facebook, or on my personal Facebook account.

So I got my hands on a pair of these units from a friend of mine who was generous enough to donate for free. While getting these in-store demo units to work as a retail device is a pain and a half to do (more on that in a later post), I've had fun modding and poking into the internals to see what can be done with it. There are actually a LOT of hidden and/or dummied out features in the tablet, most of which can be accessed through the open-source Activity Launcher.

For instance, LeapFrog dummied out access to the lock screen settings by removing menu references to said options in Settings. They disabled the AOSP lock screen presumably to save children the (supposed) frustration of having to unlock their device upon using it. It is however possible to re-enable it and add a lock pattern or a simple slide to unlock prompt in case you need one:

On the home screen or the parental controls menu, go to your browser and download this APK:

Alternatively, download F-Droid from the official website and look for Activity Launcher. Assuming that you already enabled Unknown Sources for sideloading Amazon, installing F-Droid and the launcher should be easy.

Once installed, you'll be greeted by this screen:
 Click on the Recent Activities drop-down menu, then click on All Activities.

Once there, scroll down until you find the Settings app:
 Click on it to bring down all its activities, then tap Unlock selection.
Once there, it's all up to you to choose between a slider lock or a PIN/password/pattern.
If done correctly, you'll end up with this the next time you put your Epic out of standby:
 

Be careful with the pattern locks though. It can be cracked using tools like Miracle Box, but still for the average user, getting locked out of this is a pain and a half to deal with. And please note that I am not in any way responsible if your child's tablet gets knackered real good with the use of unsupported software or hacks - users are advised to make backups of any of their device's content and to observe caution in doing any of these procedures.

Comments

Unknown said…
I have a leapfrog epic that is I. he store demo mode. Can u help me unlock It? Please.
Huckleberry Pie said…
Are you able to contact me through Hangouts, Facebook or some other venue so I can walk you through fixing your LeapFrog Epic?
Unknown said…
Yes I have facebook!
Unknown said…
How do I find u?
Huckleberry Pie said…
Search for "Blake Gripling" on Facebook. I'm the one with the glasses.
Carolyn said…
hi, I'm having the same issue, I can't figure out how to reset it
Carolyn said…
Hi, I'm having the same issue. Please help me.
Carolyn said…
I'm having the same issue, please help me.
Carolyn said…
I'm having the same issue, please help
Huckleberry Pie said…
You have a Facebook account, right? Message me there (I go by the name Blake Gripling) so I can help you further.
Unknown said…
I just sent you a Facebook message about the same problem.
Unknown said…
please add me I'll send you a request . my mom bought one off of a wholesale pallet and it's locked in demo mode.
Huckleberry Pie said…
Alright, let me add you first and I'll see what I can do with your tablet.
Huckleberry Pie said…
Can you give me a link to your Facebook profile please?
Unknown said…
Hi Huckleberry

I have sent you a PM on Facebook,please check if you got it and your fillters

Thanks
Unknown said…
Hi, not sure if you got my pm on facebook?
TammyAdkins44 said…
Can someone help me disable demo mode on my sons leapfrog epic. My FB name is Tammy Redmon Adkins. Thanks
Huckleberry Pie said…
@TammyAdkins44 - There, just left you a message on Facebook.
Unknown said…
please help me too my face book name angela choudhury
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Surajeet Choudhury - Check your Facebook inbox. I've just sent you a message.
Unknown said…
We just got our son one an the activation code isn't working and the tablet won't go past the activation screen... Anyway around this?
Huckleberry Pie said…
Can you message me on Facebook? I'll see what I can do with your son's tablet from here.
Unknown said…
I just messaged you I think I'm having same issue I need help
Unknown said…
I sent a message on facebook
Unknown said…
I just bought my son an epic from leapfrog that came from a online purchase so unfortunately I wasn't given an activation code, please help me i spent good money for learning advantage and my son is really disappointed I cant get past the activation
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Rogelio - Message me on my Facebook profile. I'll see what I can do with it from my end.
Laura said…
i'm in the same boat no activation code for leapfrog epic tablet ... frustrated ... parental locks on other leapfrog leapsters i bought used for my son :( wish i would have known before i bought them
Unknown said…
I have been given a leapfrog epic academy edition but was not given a activation code. My daughter isn't gonna be stoked. Any chance I can get some help with this...Thank you
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Terry Walker Have you tried contacting LeapFrog about it? I am yet to work around this problem as I don't have an SKU or a willing subject to test whatever it is that I might come up with. That being said please leave a message on my Facebook so I can further assist you.
Unknown said…
Hi, I found you on the book however I wasn't able to send u a pm with it being blocked nor a friend request. I recently purchased an epic from someone with a not so great charter, I turned it on when it started I just assumed it was great. After a little searching I have found that I need an activation code, I called leapfrog they said they have no record of it being sold. Just my luck!I was wondering if u could help in any way. I have connected it to my computer to look at the files, I'm not that knowledge in this area but I could find anything that would help my Facebook is https://m.facebook.com/thatonefemale tia
Unknown said…
What will an sku do? Your talking about the stock keeping unit right? I'm pretty sure I can get it if u think it will help. And I suppose I could test a few things if u still need it
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Joanie Schindler - Check your Facebook inbox. I just left you a message regarding your device.
shestad said…
Huckleberry Pie, I've sent you a message on facebook regarding no activation code for my Epic, thanks
Unknown said…
I think my kids is on demo mode to I bought it from the liquidator store and cannot even get to the parental lock page or turn on wifi or nothing help please
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Brittany - Message me on Facebook so I can reach out to you better.
Unknown said…
I just bought my son a leap frog epic turns out the people didn't give me a activation code can someone please help apparently it wasn't purchased at a retailer
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Courtney - Message me on Facebook so I can reach out to you better.
Unknown said…
I need a little help I buy one of the leap frog table,comes locked I need help to unlock... please
Tawny said…
I just got a leapfrog epic academic edition from a friend of a friend. Opened the box and it needs an activation code. I went to the website with the DiSa number and it said it was never sold. What does a person do now?
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Tawny - Can you leave a message on my Facebook profile please?
Tawny said…
Huckleberry Pie, I tried to find you on facebook by the name at the top of this board. Couldn't locate you.
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Tawny - There are two blue links on top of the blog post. ;)
nikk3ty said…
Hello, I found your video on YouTube and was wondering if you could please help me?
nikk3ty said…
Hi, I do not have a Facebook account currently but I would like to ask for your help with unlocking my leapfrog epic that was an in-store demo version. Is there any other way to reach you?

Unknown said…
HOLA, BUEN DIA, COMPRE UN LEAPFROG EPIC, ACADEMY EDITION PERO NO ME DIERON EL CÓDIGO DE ACTIVACIÓN, CREES QUE ME PUEDAS APOYAR CON TU FACEBOOK PARA ENVIARTE UN MENSAJE?
nikk3ty said…
Please help remove demo mode from daughter’s leapfrog
Unknown said…
Im having the same issue. Bought from a liquidation site and is stuck in demo mode and it wont allow me to access the parental control panel to reset to factory settings. Please help
Unknown said…
I purchased three leap frog epic tablets to use with the autistic children I work with. The lady told me they worked. All three are in demo mode and I have no way to bypass as it will not let me access the parental control to get out of it. Is there any way to do this so I can utilize the tablets for what I intended?

Thanks
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Karen - Check your Facebook inbox, I've just left a reply. ;)
Unknown said…
Hi so I also purchased LeapFrog Epic and was unaware of the activation code when going to the get my code it said it was not purchased from a unauthorized seller or or whatever was wondering if there was any way to get an activation code or buy an activation code tomorrow is my son's birthday and I'm not sure what to do can u please help me
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Unknown - Care to message me on Facebook, please?
Unknown said…
Ok I will indeed from Kayla Anderson
Unknown said…
Ok I will indeed my FB message will be from Kayla Anderson
Unknown said…
Hi, I just broke my daughter tablet by stepping on it... I would like to replace it so I've searched on eBay. Found a cheap one but it says that it needs an activation code, how can I found this? Thanks!
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Fanny - Can you contact me on my Facebook please?
Unknown said…
Hi, I have questions about a locked out leappad epic. How can I find you on facebook
b said…
Need help getting activation code
Unknown said…
Just turn it off hold vol up down and power at the same time it takes it to the default android hard resret set screen
Unknown said…
I just sent a message to you on Facebook.
Unknown said…
Hello!
LeapFrog Epic requires Activation Code. Is it possible to start tablet, if I don't have a code?
Thanks!
Huckleberry Pie said…
Can you message me on Facebook please?
Sabraham said…
While setting up my leapfrog tablet, I think I inputted the wrong email address, so I never received my four digit Parent code. Since I cannot login because I inputted the wrong email address, how do I go back and reset this?
Huckleberry Pie said…
@Sabraham - Try doing a factory reset by turning off the tablet, then hold both power and volume up for a few seconds until you get to the recovery menu. Select "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" then once that's done, reboot your Epic and do the setup wizard again.
Huckleberry Pie said…
Message me on the LeapFrog Epic Guy Facebook page. I'll see what I can do for you from there.

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