Lock Your Android Phone to One App With App Pinning
Handing your phone to a friend or a kid? Android’s built-in app pinning keeps the phone locked to one app until you unpin it. They can use only that app, and you can require your PIN to get out. Turn it on once, then pin an app any time. Follow the steps for your phone below.
What You Need
- An Android phone. On Pixel, some of these steps need Android 11 or newer.
- A screen lock (PIN, pattern or password), so nobody else can unpin the app.
- No apps required. Everything is built into Android.
Pixel and Most Stock Android Phones
Menu names vary between phone makers and Android versions.
-
Step 1: Open App pinning settings
Open the Settings app. On newer versions, tap Security & privacy > More security & privacy > App pinning.
On older versions, tap Security or Security & location > Advanced > App pinning.
-
Step 2: Turn on App pinning
Turn on App pinning. With it on, your phone asks for your PIN, pattern or password before anyone can unpin.
-
Step 3: Open the app to share
Open the app you want the other person to use.
-
Step 4: Open Overview
Swipe up from the bottom to the middle of the screen and hold. With 3-button navigation, tap Overview (the square button).
-
Step 5: Pin the app
At the top of the app’s preview, tap the app’s icon, then tap Pin. The phone now stays in that app.
-
Step 6: Unpin when you get it back
Gesture navigation: swipe up and hold. 2-button: touch and hold Back and Home. 3-button: touch and hold Back and Overview.
Enter your PIN, pattern or password if asked.
Samsung Galaxy
Screens and settings vary by model, software version and carrier.
-
Step 1: Open Pin windows settings
Go to Settings > Security and privacy > Other security settings > Pin windows.
Some models call it Pin app, or show More security settings > Allow apps to be pinned instead.
-
Step 2: Turn it on and require your lock
Turn the feature on. Then turn on Use screen lock type to unpin so your PIN, pattern or password is needed to leave the app.
-
Step 3: Open Recents
Open the app you want to share, then tap the Recents button. With swipe gestures, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold.
-
Step 4: Pin the app
Tap the icon above the app, then tap Pin this app.
-
Step 5: Unpin when you get it back
Touch and hold Recents and Back at the same time. With swipe gestures, swipe up and hold on the middle gesture bar. Enter your unlock method if asked.