To protect our personal data on the phone, most of us would enable the screen locker so even if the phone is in wrong hands, our data is secured by the phone screen lock, could it be a pass code, PIN, pattern or fingerprint. Sometimes however the screen lock is not enough. For example, you may need to allow others, like your kids, coworkers, friends, to use your phone. In this case, how can you lock certain some apps, photos, or other data on the phone? In this article, we will use a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone to show you how you can lock Settings and certain or all apps on the phone. The instructions below also apply to other Android powered devices, such as LG, Nexus, Lenovo, Huawei, Xiaomi and more.
Important Tips: App lockers can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they can provide an additional layer of security and privacy for users by preventing unauthorized access to sensitive apps and data. On the other hand, app lockers can also have negative effects. For example, they can sometimes cause technical issues, like slowing down your device, causing apps to crash, creating a false sense of security, reducing productivity. When the pattern or password is too complex or you use multiple passwords for different systems, it can be tedious and frustrating in remembering and entering them. What’s worse, you may lock yourself out of your phone or data when you lost and can’t reset these passwords or patterns.
Lock Settings and certain apps on Samsung mobile phone
Firstly you will need to download and use a security app as Samsung phone does not come with such a private data and app locker.
Secondly you need to determine which part of your phone or what kind of data you like to hide or lock from unauthorized access, such as photos, videos, files, chat history in WhatsApp, or else.
We recommend AppLock which is available for free download and use in Google Play and many other Android markets.
The use of this security app is very straightforward. You will firstly need to set a pattern to lock the security app itself, then set a security question and answer, security email for lock pattern or PIN recovery. Then grant this app permissions required to run properly. Finally go to lock any apps or data, including the Settings app, on your Samsung phone with the lock pattern or PIN.
AppLock is an app locker and private data locker. You can switch to the Privacy tab to lock Samsung phone Settings and any apps installed on the phone. You can also click Vault tab to lock and hide photos, videos, audios & music, files, APK files on Samsung phone. If you like to hide private videos on the phone, tap to access the Vault > Photo to import photos, images, screenshots to this private data locker app and delete them from their original folders. Note that when you like to protect photos and videos in the Gallery app that are taken using the Samsung phone’s camera, do not simply lock the Gallery app as these media files can also be accessed in My Files app and other file manager or explorer apps installed on the phone. You need to add those sensitive and private photos, videos to the Vault instead.
To lock an app on Samsung phone using this security app is very simple. Find the app in the Apps tab within the security app, then touch the lock icon to protect it. When the Settings on Samsung phone is locked, any one tries to access the Settings will need to unlock it with the pattern or PIN you have set within the security app.
Samsung mobile app locker bonus tips
- If you want to add another layer of security to your apps and data in addition to the screen lock on the mobile phone, you should choose a different pattern or PIN code.
- Set a pattern or passcode recovery Q&A and write it down somewhere. This is the only option you can use to recover forgot lock pattern or PIN.
- For higher level of security, we recommend you grant all the required permissions, such as device administrator, usage access, display or draw over other apps, auto start, protected apps, etc.