Mobile phones have become so entrenched in us, so much that they have become an extension of our privacy. In them we keep practically everything; from work information, to personal photographs that keep the best memories. For this reason, it is very important to protect such data . All smartphones generally have factory applications that allow you to protect your cell phone without many complications, but if you are one of the users who like to personalize your phone to the maximum and have different options to block it, you may be looking for more options. >
In Google Play Store and Apple Store , major app stores for operating systems Android and iOS respectively, there are hundreds of tools that can enhance this function of your mobile . Many of them even allow you to go further and activate locks for applications and certain galleries stored on the device.
In this article we will show you different methods and applications that will help you protect all the information that you keep on your cell phone , so that nobody can access without your consent. All this available for Android and iOS operating systems. We will also explain how to use the lock forms that your mobile device already incorporates.
Index:
Steps to lock the screen on Android and iOS and protect your privacy
Here we show you what are the most reliable screen lock methods of Android, for iPhones or iPads, as well as how to configure each of them on your mobile.
Access pin in Android and in iOs
The access pin consists of setting a numerical password of at least 4 digits . It is one of the most used methods despite not being the one that offers the highest security guarantees. But it is also a valid option.
For Android the first thing you have to do is go to Settings> Security> Screen Lock. Once inside select the PIN option, the system will ask you to enter the code you want (usually it consists of 4 digits) a couple of times and that’s it.
Once the PIN is accepted by your phone you can verify that your device’s security is activated, letting the screen go into sleep mode and pressing the on / off key > In order for the screen to turn on, once this happens automatically you must request the code you just set up, in order to access the functions of your mobile device normally.
In iPhone , you should go to the Settings> Touch ID and code menu. Once selected the option will indicate that you must enter a 4 or 6 digit code. Then you must confirm the code you are entering a couple of times and voila.
To confirm that the PIN has been activated you must let the screen go into sleep mode and then press the Home button or on / off , and you must enter the unlock PIN to access your main screen.
If at any time you want to change the PIN of your device you just have to follow the same steps described above , all you need is to remember your previous code and ready you can change it as many times as you want.
Pattern Lock on Android
This mode is present only in Android operating system , and allows us to establish a drawing on the screen, sliding your finger through an image of points that show us, the advantage of this mode is that we can increase the complexity of the pattern by sliding our finger in the way we like the most.
To configure this unlock pattern we must go to Settings> Security and Location and select Screen Lock, we will choose the Pattern option and Like the Pin it will ask us to enter the Pattern a couple of times to confirm the correct form we want to configure.
Once established we will not be able to access the phone without drawing the form we determine for the pattern, we can change our pattern as many times as we want, we just have to follow the same steps mentioned.
Fingerprint in iOS
The only disadvantage of this way of unlocking ios devices is that it is not available for all iOS versions or iPhone devices. To configure it you must go to Settings > Touch ID and Code . Once inside, if the device has security enabled it will ask us to enter the PIN to continue, select the option « Add Footprint» .
Subsequently, you place your finger where we are indicated on the screen by slightly changing the position each time , until the system tells you to show that the process has finished. And so our iPhone will already have the fingerprint lock mode set.
Footprint on Android
To configure this mode you must go to the Settings> Security and Location menu, and choose the Fingerprint option. Once selected, the system will show on the screen the drawing of a fingerprint where you will have to support your finger in the areas you indicate. Once this is finished, the device will be ready to recognize the fingerprint as an unlock mode to access the phone.
Facial Recognition on Android
To activate this unlock we must go to Settings> Security and Location> Smart Lock. Once there, select the option « Facial Recognition» among the options. The system will initiate a recognition assistant and will tell you how to position the face to wait for our facial features to be archived, once ready our cell phone will have the active facial recognition mode.
Facial recognition in iOS
In iOS this feature is available on the iPhone X. To activate it we must enter the Settings, Face ID and code menu and enter the unlock code of our cell phone. Once this is done, select « Configure Face ID» and we will follow the steps that will be indicated by the system to know how to place your face in the center and move your head through the circle that shows us to confirm the reading. Once ready we will press « OK» and we will have the cell phone protected with our face.
Password for Android devices
To begin we must know that this feature is available only for the Android operating system. Here we are allowed to put an access password to our phone that can include letters, numbers and even special characters, to configure it we must access the Settings> Security and Location> Screen Lock
Once inside we proceed to choose the password of our preference that contains at least 4 characters, this same password must be entered a second time to verify that both match, once our phone list is ready password protected.
List of the best free apps to customize the screen lock on Android e iOS
There is also the possibility of installing external applications to improve the security of the screen lock . These are not only reliable, but also have special features that allow you to establish more than one blocking method, greatly increasing the chances of keeping your information away from those who wish to violate your privacy.
Start App
By installing this program, it allows you to configure its shape in the way that best suits you , StartApp allows you to directly access some applications of your mobile just by sliding your finger and selecting the one you want get in. This application has the ability to notify you when you have new unread notifications and will tell you what it is.
LokLok
This application has a very peculiar feature that allows you to leave messages or drawings on the locked screen of another user’s cell phone , so that this can work both people must have the application installed and grant permission to write and receive drawings or messages, and so the next time the user turns on their screen the first thing they can see will be the message or drawing, once the screen is unlocked this disappears.
Dynamic Notifications
This application has a wide possibility to customize in your way the different characteristics that go from color, icons and even actions like that does not turn on the screen when the sensors of your cell phone indicate that it is in your pocket , also shows you the possibility to open the camera without having to unlock the device.
CM Locker
This application apart from blocking the screen of your cell phone, allows you to show notifications and control the music player, all this while it remains locked and will even allow you to take a photo of the person trying to unlock your cell phone. It has lock customization, where you can choose the lock security method ; pattern, numbers, sliding or numerically.
Touch Lock- Children mode
Many times we leave our little ones with a video on our device to entertain it, but it happens that they are so restless that they end up removing the video unintentionally. With Touch Lock we can configure the phone to leave some active programs such as YouTube , but without the child being able to use the volume or navigation controls, that is, your little one will not be able to stop the video, or open the camera by mistake.
Lock HD screen
This is a application available for iPhone , in which we can choose between placing code or unlock pattern to maintain the privacy of our mobile. It’s very basic, but it meets the goal perfectly.
1Pasword
With this application you can create secure passwords for each site, it also includes automatic blocking in case of theft or loss of the device. It also includes its own browser called 1Browser with which you can safely surf the web , this application is available for iOS.
iAppLock
With this application you can determine a security code to lock your phone quickly and easily, for this you must choose a 4-digit number as the password that will help you to access the app that you have locked. You can also decide the active time for blocking an application .
HiFolder
This application allows us to have a high degree of security on our iPhone device, because it offers the possibility to hide files and has a lock pattern.
SplashID Safe Password Manager
This application has an excellent quality to maintain the security of your device, it is somewhat different from the other applications because it also works as a digital moderator. SplashID Safe Password Manage allows you to synchronize your accounts and customize your records securely , and also share images, videos, voice memos with other SplashID users.
Secret Apps Lite
This security application to block access to your applications and to save your private data stored on your device such as photos, videos, contacts, notes. It has the peculiarity that when a person tries to unlock the device and does it incorrectly, it captures it through the front camera. It is compatible for iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad .
Lock Your Screen
We can choose different ways to unlock; from passwords, gestures, figures, patterns and even a secret question. This app also allows us to customize the lock screen , choose a background image, place various types of clocks and even choose a sound for locking and unlocking.
Dodol Locker
This application has the best themes and designs among the top applications for screen lock on the Android system. With Dodol Locker you can decorate the screen with different backgrounds and download many more from the store in the Play Store.
SnapLock Smart Lock Screen
With this unlock application you will get an elegant design for your screen , where daily you will receive new backgrounds selected by the editor to have the best style among your friends, you will have the possibility to customize your way the appearance of the date and time of your device.
Alarm Anti Theft Screen Lock
This application has the quality of issuing a loud alarm when a person tries to access your phone using an incorrect password.
What vulnerabilities can we have if we do not protect access to our mobile with password ?
If our mobile device is unblocked, anyone outside of us can access our information , email accounts, Google Play, Google Drive, and if you have your credit card affiliate could quietly make the purchase of applications, movies, products in your name.
In addition, could access your social networks and publish any type of information as if it were you who is doing it , it could even delete your account. Not to mention that you can have passwords saved in the web browser, which give access to your bank accounts, where this person could do endless things you can’t even imagine. It is highly recommended that you have a locking system on your cell phone where you can guarantee that only you will be able to access your mobile phone and the information it contains.
Many people use the lock pattern that comes with their cell phone , however, they are not recommended because when unlocking the cell phone with this method many times there are clearly visible traces of your fingerprints, that any someone else could notice them and unlock your device. It is advisable to use the blocking system using the PIN code , where you can use a number or phrase that is easy to remember, but allows you to keep your mobile device safe.