From personal photos and messages to browsing history and location data, your Android device stores plenty of sensitive information. To keep all this safe, take advantage of these security features designed to protect your data on your Android device.
Good to know: browsing the dark web? Make sure you are aware of these security threats and how to avoid them.
Content
- 1. Enable Biometric Authentication
- 2. Encrypt Data Backups
- 3. Manage App Permissions
- 4. Set Up Find My Device
- 5. Use Google Play Protect
- 6. Tighten Lock Screen Controls
- 7. Change Your SIM PIN
- 8. Turn on Lockdown Mode (If You Have To)
1. Enable Biometric Authentication
Biometric authentication on Android devices uses physical identifiers like fingerprints and facial features to verify a user’s identity before granting access to the device. The method can replace or be used alongside traditional password/PIN-based security methods. It offers some advantages over passwords in terms of security, and newer phones, such as Google’s Pixel models, offer advanced biometric features, like the AI-powered Face Unlock, rated the highest of Android biometric security.
The official documentation of the Android operating system, though, ranks traditional methods, such as passwords and PINs, higher. The information suggests that knowledge-based factors, like passwords, are generally more difficult to compromise than biometric data.
I, for one, prefer the convenience of biometrics for device security. On the other hand, stealing a PIN or password seems a more likely scenario in my case. For instance, the simple act of unlocking my phone in a coffee line can give away my PIN to the person behind me, while it would be nearly impossible for them to replicate my fingerprint. Since I also sport a newer Pixel device, enabling biometric authentication is a suitable choice in my case.
Depending on your phone model, the exact location of biometric settings might vary, but it’s safe to say you’ll probably find them under the Security or Privacy sections. On my Pixel device, they are under Settings -> Security & privacy -> Device unlock.
This is where you will find your device’s biometric options. In this case, it’s Fingerprint & Face Unlock.
2. Encrypt Data Backups
Since Android 9 Pie, Google has provided a full end-to-end encryption service to back up your apps, phone settings and more. It’s on by default, but if you want to check whether this is the case on your phone, head to Settings -> Google -> All services -> Backup.
Make sure the switch next to Backup by Google One is on. To start a backup process, press the Back up now button underneath.
You will also need to ensure that you have a PIN/pattern or password set up. Note that you can use this authentication method alongside the biometric one, so you don’t have to disable one to use the other. Go to Settings -> Security & privacy -> Device unlock -> Screen unlock, and select your preferred authentication method.
Tip: learn how to restore your data from Google Drive.
3. Manage App Permissions
Managing app permissions is crucial for Android security. Apps may request access to sensitive phone data, like media files, contacts, and text messages. While some apps need these permissions to operate correctly, careful consideration of privacy implications is essential.
App permission requests typically appear during the installation process. Unfortunately, we routinely tend to rush through them so that we can start using the app, then forget all about them. Especially if your device is running an older version of Android (Android 9 and lower), these permissions can create security vulnerabilities and even slow down the device.
Note: as of Android 10, you can let apps access your location only when they are actively in use and not all of the time.
Considering the prevalence of questionable apps, knowing how to review and revoke unnecessary permissions is crucial. This helps protect your device from potential harm.
On your Android device, open Settings -> Settings & privacy -> Privacy -> Permission manager.
You’ll see a list of all permissions granted on your smartphone grouped by category. For instance, to view all the apps that have camera access, tap on Camera.
Check whether any of the apps in the Allowed all the time section are empty for some permissions.
If you need to remove an app from this section, tap on it, then change the permission.
4. Set Up Find My Device
To protect your device against theft or loss, make sure you enroll it in the Find My Device program. This would enable you to remotely lock your device, sign out of Google, or erase the device. In situations where you believe you’ve simply misplaced the phone, you can play a sound to help you to find your phone faster, as shown below.
Go to Settings -> Security & privacy -> Device Finders -> Find My Device.
Turn on the toggle next to Use Find My Device, and input your PIN/password (if you have one set) to activate it.
Remotely access your phone by visiting the Find Your Phone webpage or Find My Device app from another phone.
FYI: check out the best Google Play Store alternatives.
5. Use Google Play Protect
Android devices come with, Google Play Protect, their own malware and detection service. It should be active by default on phones and tablets running Google Mobile Services.
Google Play Protect works by scanning for malicious applications and removing any potentially harmful software. It also serves up warnings about apps that violate the Unwanted Software Policy.
While Google Play Protect should be active on your device by default, it doesn’t hurt to check.
Go to Settings -> Security & privacy -> App security.
You will see a Play Protect scanned X hours ago message.
Tap on the message to scan now to open the Play Protect page, where you can see all recently scanned apps. Press the Scan button to start a new scan.
6. Tighten Lock Screen Controls
By default, private info, such as notifications and message previews, can appear on your phone’s lock screen. Fortunately, you can limit what appears on your lock screen, as well as the settings someone can access.
Go to Settings -> Display -> Lock screen. Tap on Privacy, and select the Don’t show notifications at all option.
Ensure that the Use device controls toggle is turned off.
Tap on the Shortcuts section.
Make sure this section is set to None. If someone gets their hands on your phone, they won’t be able to access features from the lock screen.
On some OnePlus phones, you get even more granular controls. For instance, under Settings -> Security & Lock Screen -> Lockscreen pass, there’s an option to Disable Quick Settings panel on lock. This guarantees that no one can access features such as Flashlight or QR Scanner from the lock screen.
7. Change Your SIM PIN
This is a handy safety measure if someone should steal your phone. On some phone models, there’s a SIM Lock in place by default. It asks users to input a code before unlocking the device. It’s a different code than your PIN/pattern or other authentication method you have in place (which you also need to use after the SIM lock).
To ensure your SIM Lock is active, go to Settings -> Security & privacy -> More security & privacy -> SIM Lock (in the Security section).
Turn on the Lock SIM option by toggling the switch next to it.
Most SIM cards feature a standard unlocking code, such as 0000 or 1234. To ensure that anyone who finds your phone won’t get access to certain features, such as placing calls, change your SIM PIN via the Change SIM PIN option. Input the old PIN first, then the new one.
Tip: learn how to unlock an Android phone from a service provider.
8. Turn on Lockdown Mode (If You Have To)
If you’re worried you may be in a situation where someone will try to bypass your biometric security, you can switch back to the more secure PIN/pattern authentication. This is why we recommend having both solutions in place. For instance, you feel yourself falling asleep at the airport/bus stop and want to make sure no one can unlock your phone if it slips out of your pocket by holding it up to your unconscious face.
You need an Android phone running Android 12 or above to find Lockdown mode. To do so, long-press the power button on your device. In the menu, select Lockdown.
Lockdown mode hides notifications on your lock screen (if you haven’t done so) and blocks voice recognition. Other than these limitations, Lockdown doesn’t alter any other settings, so it should work normally once unlocked.
If you need more tips on how to improve your experience on your Android phone, check out how to stop spam calls on your Android phone and delete downloads to clear out some space.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.
Alexandra Arici –
Staff Writer
Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
Sign up for all newsletters.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. We will not share your data and you can unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe