A mobile device includes a pre-authentication mechanism that allows a user to define a pre-authentication sequence that includes actions such as movement of the device, taps on the screen, key presses, etc., or any suitable combination of these. Correctly entering the pre-authentication sequence gives the user access to the main authentication screen for the device, while a failure to enter the pre-authentication sequence correctly keeps the device locked. Multiple pre-authentication sequences can be defined, each having a corresponding sleep time threshold. This requires the user to enter the appropriate authentication information corresponding to the time the device has been asleep. Multiple pre-authentication sequences can also be defined, each having corresponding authentication information. Thus, the authentication information the user needs to enter can be a function of the corresponding pre-authentication sequence.