The Multiple Failed Passcode Attempts Theft Alert won't trigger until your device's lockout threshold is met
There's a few reasons why this could happen:
- When a PIN, passcode or letters consisting of fewer than four characters are entered ("entered" meaning followed by the "Enter" key), Android does not consider that an actual unlock attempt. It makes sense that we wouldn't trigger an Incorrect Passcode event due to a non-attempt. If the input is four digits or greater, Android will display a message along the lines of "PIN incorrect, please try again" or "Wrong PIN." If multiple of these attempts are made consecutively, an Incorrect Passcode event will be triggered.
- The number of attempts required depends on the specific device, but triggering a device lockout will trigger the Theft Alert. The same logic follows for an alphanumeric password.
- A pattern lock works the same way. When an attempt at a pattern unlock is made using fewer than four points in the grid (considered completed by taking your finger off the screen), the Android Lock Screen reports "Sorry, try again" and changes the line or points you've connected to red, but this is not considered by Android to be an actual unlock attempt. It is the equivalent of trying the PIN unlock with three or fewer digits. A pattern unlock attempt of four or more points is considered by Android to be a true unlock attempt.