Our phones are highly personal devices where they contain a lot of personal and sometimes private information. For example, we might store passwords on our phones, along with personal identifiable information, and other sensitive data like bank account numbers, and so on.
Thankfully, when our phones are locked, generally speaking all that data is encrypted until we unlock it. But in case you’re the type that’s worried that someone could go snooping through your apps when you hand them your phone, a good idea would be to lock those apps to prevent them from being opened.
If this sounds like a security feature you think could be useful, then here’s what you need to know to lock your apps on your smartphone. Keep in mind that different handset makers might use different tools for this feature, but we’ve listed several popular OEMs that you can check below.
Samsung
If you use a low or mid-range Samsung phone, you might need to use the company’s S Secure app. It may or may not be preinstalled on your phone, but if it’s not, you can download it from the Play Store.
Launch Settings
Scroll to Advanced Features
Toggle on “Lock and mask apps”
Choose the method you want to unlock apps with
Tap on “Locked apps”
Tap “Add” and check the apps that you want to lock
Apps that are locked will now have a lock symbol next to their icon
Alternatively, if your phone doesn’t have or supports S Secure, you can also check out Samsung’s Secure Folder app.
Launch Settings
Tap on “Biometrics and security”
Tap Secure Folder
Set it up according to how you want it
Launch the app drawer and select Secure Folder
Tap “Add apps” and select the apps you want to be locked
Once you’re lock, tap “Lock and exit”
OnePlus
Launch Settings
Tap on Utilities
Tap App Locker
Choose the unlock method and how you want lock screen notifications to be displayed and tap Done
Tap the “Add apps” option and select the apps from the list
Xiaomi/Poco
Launch Settings
Tap on Apps
Tap on App Lock
Toggle on the feature
Tap “Turn on”
You might have verify yourself again
Select the apps from the list you want to lock and tap “Use App lock” when you’re done
Set a PIN, pattern, or password that you will use to unlock these apps, it might be a good idea not to use the same PIN or pattern as your lock screen just to be safe
Oppo/Realme
Launch Settings and tap on Privacy
Tap on App lock
Set a Privacy password and tap Next
Select the apps you want to lock
AppLock
If you use a different phone brand not listed above or if maybe the built-in options aren’t up to your standards or liking, you can rely on third-party apps such as AppLock which more or less does the same thing.