Looking for ways on how to lock apps on Android?

There are a lot of times when we just want to keep our phone activities private, away from prying eyes. That’s exactly what locking apps on your phone does and keeps your apps confidential.

In today’s era of teenager privacy, especially a certain age group belonging to a certain demographic like to keep things private and for their eyes only. Teenagers these days usually tend to have almost everything locked on their devices, especially their social media accounts.

Sometimes even with double security. In situations like parents snooping through their phones sometimes or little children sometimes become mischievous while operating someone else’s phone.

Do locking apps really protect your data and privacy?

This is the most frequently asked question and the answer is that our devices have become a very important part of our lives. We save and share everything on it. It has images, audio, and video, that may contain sensitive information about someone’s life.

And with advanced technology, your information can be manipulated and used by hackers to gain access to your important data.

Locking apps provide you with the security settings that are useful to prevent hackers and other cyber criminals from spying on you and extracting your precious data. And keep out unauthorized access to your phone.

Even if your phone already has a lock, it provides double protection if someone else is using your phone. Though there are multiple ways to lock an app, here are some ways with which you can lock apps on android to protect your privacy-

How to lock apps on Android:

1. App Locker (how to lock apps on android with an app locker)-

The easiest and most efficient way to lock an app would be to go to your Google Play store, type in-app lock in the search bar, and download the app that would suit your phone the best. The app lock will allow you to select and lock multiple apps with any kind of security settings like pattern, pin, or finger scan. The following video might be helpful on how to lock apps on android specifically.

The app locker is also completely safe and intruder-proof. It also prevents someone from installing or uninstalling an app. But it does have some flaws like saving images and videos in a secure folder that cannot be controlled by the app.

Installation of the app locker-

Install the app lock from the play store. After the app lock is installed open it. You’ll then be asked to type in a master pin which is also used to see if your device’s pin doesn’t match the app lock’s pin or password. Then confirm the master pin. Tap on the + symbol to add as many apps as you want to the app locker.

Keep in mind that you would also need to allow the app lock permission to grant access to your android. Now the next time you want to open an app that you have secured with app lock, it will ask you for a security pin every time you open it. And also do not use the same pattern or password as the one on your device as that would be of no use.

There are several app lock applications that you can use like Norton app lock, IVY app lock, App lock pro, and LOCKit.

2. Secure Folder (how to lock apps on android with a secure folder)-

You can also protect your apps by locking them within a secure folder. If your device doesn’t have a secure folder you can always download one from the app store. A secure folder is where you can lock and keep your pictures, videos, documents, and other data that you want to keep private for security reasons. You can access it by unlocking the lock type you have chosen.

Enabling secure folder-

First, you have to go to your settings then go to biometrics and security. Select the secure folder and your device may ask you to log in to your account so tap on agree. Then select the lock screen type pin, pattern, and passcode, and confirm it.

After creating the secure folder tap on add and then add the apps of your choice to the secure folder and lock and exit the secure folder. Now the next time you want to use the app, just go to the secure folder, type in the password or pattern or pin or biometric and the app will open.

3. Screen Pinning-

You can pin the screen of an app to keep it visible until you unpin it. You can, for example, pin an app and give your phone to a buddy. Your friend can only use that app if the screen is pinned. You can unpin the screen to utilize your other apps again.

Important:

You’re running an older version of Android. The newer versions of androids have other more advanced features. Hence, You may not find this in newer models of phones which have the latest android versions.

Go to settings and then click on security and location. Then tap on advanced and screen pinning. Move the toggle towards ‘on’ and click on overview. Then you can add whatever app you want and tap ‘pin’.

Now if someone else tries to open another app while using the one they’re supposed to be on, they can’t click out of the app without unpinning. This feature is especially helpful if a child is playing a game on her phone.

4. Double Verification (how to lock apps with two-step verification)-

Some apps have a double verification feature also known as two-factor authentication which adds an extra layer of security to the app in case someone else tries to open it or in case your password gets stolen. For example, Whatsapp has this security feature and you can enable it by using the following steps.

Go to your Whatsapp settings, tap on the account and then click on two-step verification and select enable. The app will ask you for a six-digit passcode. You can also provide an email address if you want or you can skip it. And lastly, tap on save or done.

To disable it follow the same steps and click on disable. This feature does not locks the apps right away but may ask you to type in the passcode once in a while so that you don’t forget it.

5. Samsung lock features-

Usually, mid-ranged Samsung phones have a preinstalled app lock feature that you may use. And even if it’s not preinstalled you can always download it from the app store.

After downloading it, go to settings and tap on advanced features. Then select lock and mask apps and select the type of lock you want to use. Then go to locked apps and click on add. Now select the apps you want to lock and voila, your chosen apps are now locked.

6. One plus lock features-

It follows the same pattern as the Samsung lock feature. Select settings and then scroll down to utilities. Then select the app locker and choose the locking type you want to use. An additional feature is that you may also lock the screen or pop up notifications. Then select the apps you want to secure and tap on done.

Again be cautious while selecting a password or pattern or pin and DO NOT keep it the same as your lock on your device as it would redeem the locking feature useless.

7. Xiaomi lock features-

This is another smartphone that has been popular among people looking for a good smartphone at affordable prices. But since Xiaomi belongs to a Chinese company, so like most Chinese smartphone devices, it doesn’t have a google play store.

But don’t get confused as it has its own app store called “GetApps” from where you can download the App locking apps if you are not satisfied with the inbuilt one.

Open settings and select apps. Move the toggle towards on and select ‘turn on’. You have to verify yourself again after this and then choose the apps you want to lock and then tap on ‘use app lock’ once you’re done. Set a pin or password or pattern or biometric that suits you and that will lock your selected apps.

8. Oppo/Realme app lock-

Oppo and Realme are revolutionary smartphones that have gained popularity in recent years. It has amazing features and also an efficient app locking system that is easy to use. And for those who do not want to delve into too many complications of locking an app. Oppo And Realme both use similar methods as most androids for locking the apps. So it becomes pretty easy to understand for the users using it.

Go to Settings on your device and select app lock. Then select any type of lock of your choice and click on next. Then you can select the apps you want to lock and your apps are secured. To open any locked app, you’ll have to type in the private password or pattern or pin and then you’re good to go.

If you don’t have any of the above-mentioned phone brands, you can always rely on third-party apps like an app lock or screen pinning or a secure folder which are usually present in most androids.

And there you go, on how to lock apps on android, these are the numerous ways with which you can protect your phone and secure it by locking the android apps.

I hope this guide has helped you know in detail how to lock individual apps or all the apps on your android phone.

Also, read- What is Omegle App.

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Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by Laveleena Sharma