We usually like to keep our phones close, but sometimes you might need to lend yours briefly to a friend or family member so they can check something on your device, for example, a video or a document. To avoid any accidental snooping and protect your privacy, consider applying these privacy settings and security measures, including app pinning, to safeguard your phone before handing it over to them.
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Enable Android App Pinning
Let’s say you’re sharing the phone with someone such as your child because they want to watch some YouTube videos. In that case, you should go for app pinning. This privacy feature has been available in Android for quite a while and it’s super helpful. When pinning an app, that app will take over the phone’s entire screen and prevent the person who borrowed your device from accessing other apps. It virtually restricts them to using only a single app.
To pin an app on your Android, you’ll first need to make sure the feature is active. Open the Settings app on your phone and navigate to Security & Privacy -> More security & privacy.
Swipe all the way to the bottom until you find App pinning and tap the option.
Now toggle the switch next to Use app pinning. Press OK on the pop-up alerting you that when an app is pinned, personal data may be still accessible. Also, keep in mind that pinned apps may open other apps.
Activating the app pinning feture will also automatically enable Ask for PIN before unpinning. We recommend that you keep this feature enabled to safeguard your privacy.
Now launch the app you wish to pin to the home screen. Next, open the app in overview mode, for instance, by pressing on one of the onscreen buttons (if you have those enabled. For us, it’s the square-shaped one.)
Press on the app’s icon at the top and select Pin.
Tap Got it in the small pop-up that notifies you that the app is pinned. Now the app will take over the screen and won’t go away until you unpin it.
Unpinning an App
To unpin an app, touch and hold the Back and Overview buttons on your display. Depending on the configuration set above, the owner of the phone will have to input their PIN to confirm the unpinning. If you use gestures navigation, swipe up and hold instead.
Unpinning the app will result in the phone getting locked (if you have a PIN or another authentication mode set up). The phone owner will need to input the PIN again to access its contents in full once again.
Tip: learn how to unlock an Android phone from its service provider for more flexibility.
Set Up Android Guest Mode
If the person you’re lending the phone to needs to use it for longer durations, the safer route would be to activate Guest Mode on your device.
Guest Mode is one useful privacy setting that prevents others from accessing your phone’s apps, photos & videos, settings (except Wi-Fi ones), and more. The person you’re lending the device to gets access to a blank Android profile featuring only built-in apps.
To set up a Guest profile on your phone, go to Settings -> System -> Multiple users.
Enable the option at the top to Allow multiple users. Tap on Add guest.
Press Next in the pop-up.
Add the guest user’s name and select an avatar for them. Then press Done.
Note: there’s also the option to add a new user on the phone. Use this if you’re constantly sharing the device with someone else. Guest accounts are people who are using your device for a short time.
Now wait until Android creates your new user. From the next screen, you can immediately switch to the new profile. If you want to enable making phone calls and sending SMS, you can turn on this option too.
Once you switch to the new profile for the first time, you’ll be greeted by the Set up new user screen. Press Continue.
The guest (or you) will now have to go through a process similar to when initially setting up your device for the first time. They can log in with their Google account, choose a search engine, set a PIN, and more.
Switching Back to Main Account
When it’s time to hand the phone back to its owner, swipe to the top of the screen to bring up the Quick Settings menu.
In the bottom right, you’ll notice three tiny icons. Next to the gear-shaped one (Settings), tap on the icon that features your profile image.
Tap the main account icon. The phone will now make the switch to the owner’s profile. If protected by a PIN, they will need to enter it to unlock the device.
FYI: you might not be aware that you can empty your trash on Android. Here’s how.
Lock Specific Apps
Perhaps sensitive content on your phone is limited to a few apps. If you’re worried that the person borrowing your phone will be tempted to check your WhatsApp conversations or snoop through your Gallery app, there’s a simple solution. You can lock only a handful of specific apps and leave the rest accessible. This way you’re not limiting them to a single app or spending time setting up a new Guest account.
Check Phone’s Built-in Settings
On some Android phones, you will find a universal App Lock option that allows you to seal off any app. We have this option on our Honor phone.
Head on to Settings -> Security & privacy -> Device & data protection.
Select App Lock from the options.
Press Enable at the bottom. On the next screen, decide whether you want to use your device authentication option or create a new one to unlock the apps you’re planning to seal off.
Next, go through your list of apps and toggle on the switch next to the ones you want to lock.
Now, if someone other than you wants to access that app, they will have to input your PIN or pattern.
Tip: here’s how to change your SIM PIN on an Android phone.
Check Individual App Settings
if you don’t have a phone that features this built-in option, don’t worry! Chances are that the app you want to lock has a feature that allows you to do that baked into it. For instance, WhatsApp allows you to lock your chats.
Open the app on your Android phone. Tap the three dots in the upper corner, then select Settings.
Go to Privacy -> App lock.
Turn on the Unlock with biometric option, so you’ll be able to use your fingerprint, face, or other unique identifiers to open the app. On phones that don’t have these authentication options, you can use a PIN or pattern.
Note that not all apps will have such an option. In which case you might want to try the next solution to lock sensitive apps.
Use a Third-Party App
Download and install the Applock Pro app from the Google Play Store on your device.
Open the app and create a new PIN or pattern. You’ll need that to unlock your sensitive apps next time you want to open one.
In addition, you’ll need to grant a couple of permissions, so follow the prompts.
The app will automatically scan your device and place some apps, such as Facebook or Instagram, under lock. If you don’t want all of them to have protection, switch to the Locked tab and press the lock key next to the ones you want to remove from the list.
That’s it, now when someone wants to access your Instagram, they’ll need to input the PIN or pattern you’ve created.
Note that this method might not be as reliable as the other ones. Fortunately, you can follow our tips to make sure your protection doesn’t get erased.
Now that you know how to protect your sensitive apps, you might want to continue improving your privacy on Android. Case in point, check how you can find out which apps have access to your location Android. At the same time, you might want to see how you can change your default apps on Android if you have different preferences.
Image credit: Pexels 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.
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