Table of Contents
Android smartphones are now replacing traditional PCs for productive tasks. As we store more and more sensitive information on our phones, it is important to keep them secure. While Android has a screen lock feature to keep your phone “secured”, it doesn’t offer any option to lock individual apps. This is where the need for third-party apps arises. In this article, we will be discussing several methods for locking apps on your Android Home Screen.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Lock Apps on Home Screen Android
No matter what people say, smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, and we all keep some personal and confidential information stored on our devices. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the information safe. However, sometimes, for some specific reasons, we cannot lock the entire phone but only some particular apps. That’s where the problem arises on how to lock apps on the Home Screen of Android.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods for locking apps on your Android Home Screen, there are a few things that you will need to prepare:
- Android smartphone
- Internet connection
- Third-party app locker to install
- Patience and some time to get things set up
Method 1: Using Smart AppLock
Smart AppLock is one of the popular choices in the Google Play Store for locking apps on your Android Home Screen. It is free to use and easy to set up.
Steps:
1. Go to the Google Play Store and install the Smart AppLock app.
2. Once installed, launch the app and set up a new password.
3. After setting up a password, you’ll be taken to the app’s home screen. Tap on the ‘Lock settings’ option.
4. Select the apps you wish to lock.
5. Set a pattern or PIN to lock the apps.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Allows locking individual apps
Cons:
- Contains ads
- May consume more battery
Method 2: Using Norton App Lock
Norton App Lock provides a high level of security to your apps as it requires a PIN, password, or pattern to open them. Although Norton App Lock is a paid app, a 30-day free trial is available.
Steps:
1. Download and install Norton App Lock from the Google Play Store.
2. Agree to the terms and conditions and grant necessary permissions.
3. Set up a password, PIN, or pattern.
4. Once done, select the apps you want to lock.
5. Re-enter your password, PIN, or pattern to confirm the change.
Pros:
- Provides a high level of security
- 30-day free trial available
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Paid app
- Ads may appear unwanted
Method 3: Using AppLock
AppLock is one of the most popular and widely used apps for locking apps on Android. It is available for free in the Google Play Store and offers features like pattern lock, PIN lock, and many more.
Steps:
1. Install the AppLock app from the Google Play Store.
2. Launch the app, and you will be asked to create a new password.
3. Once you’ve set up a new password, you will be taken to the app’s home screen.
4. Select the apps you want to lock.
5. Set a pattern or PIN to lock the apps.
Pros:
- Free to use
- User-friendly interface
- Offers a variety of lock types
Cons:
- May consume more battery than usual
- Contains ads
Method 4: Using Guest Mode
Guest mode is a part of Android’s built-in feature that allows you to limit access to certain apps on your home screen.
Steps:
1. Open the settings app on your Android phone.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Users & Accounts,” then tap on “Guest.”
3. When prompted, tap on “Turn On” to set up the guest account.
4. Switch to the guest account and provide only limited apps.
5. Exit the guest account to switch back to your primary account.
Pros:
- A built-in feature of Android
- Free to use
- Allows limiting the access of an unauthorized user
Cons:
- Doesn’t provide full control over locked apps
- May not be able to protect individual and sensitive information
Why Can’t I Lock Apps on my Android Home Screen?
There could be a variety of reasons why you can’t lock apps on your Android Home Screen. Here are a few common reasons and fixes:
1. The Android version doesn’t support the feature.
If your Android version doesn’t support the feature, then there is no way you can lock apps on your Home Screen. Consider updating your phone’s operating system.
2. Your phone doesn’t have enough storage.
If your phone is running low on storage, it may prevent you from installing any third-party app lockers. Clear some space off your phone to fix it.
3. App lockers may be incompatible with your device.
If a particular app locker doesn’t work with your device, try using an alternative. Make sure to check whether the app locker is compatible with your device before installing it.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips that you can use to enhance the security of your Android phone:
1. Keep your phone updated.
Regularly updating your phone’s software ensures that you have the latest security patches installed. It helps in resolving known vulnerabilities and issues.
2. Use Strong Password or PIN.
Using strong and unique passwords or PIN codes is crucial to protect your phone and individual apps from unauthorized access.
3. Be selective of app permissions.
Be mindful of the app permissions you allow when installing apps. Some apps may ask for unnecessary permissions that could compromise the security of your phone.
5 FAQs about Locking Apps on Home Screen Android
Q1: What features should a reliable app locker possess?
A: A reliable app locker should provide a high level of security, user-friendly interface, and minimal ads. It should offer a variety of lock types and must be compatible with your phone.
Q2: Are there any unbreakable app lockers?
A: No. All app lockers can be bypassed using certain methods. However, some app lockers provide a high level of security and are difficult to bypass.
Q3: Will locking apps on the Home Screen affect phone performance?
A: Yes. Locking apps on the Home Screen may consume more battery and storage, leading to reduced phone performance.
Q4: Can I use a fingerprint scanner to lock apps on my Android phone?
A: Yes. Fingerprint scanning is an alternate way of locking apps on your Android phone that provides high-level security.
Q5: Can I lock in-built Android apps?
A: Yes. You can use third-party app lockers to lock in-built Android apps.
In Conclusion
Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, and locking important apps on the Home Screen is essential to protect sensitive information. In this article, we discussed the four most popular ways to lock apps on your Android Home Screen. We hope this article helped you, and you can now keep your sensitive information safe and secure.