How to Lock Individual Apps on Android

Many Android phones can lock specific apps with a fingerprint or PIN — keep banking, health, and private apps secure even if someone else picks up your phone.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.On Samsung Galaxy: use App Lock in Privacy settings
2.On Samsung: set up Secure Folder for full app protection
3.On Pixel / stock Android: use App Pinning for temporary locking
4.On Android 15+: use the built-in Private Space
5.Test your app lock

On Samsung Galaxy: use App Lock in Privacy settings

~15s

Go to SettingsPrivacyApp Lock. Tap "Turn on App Lock" and set a PIN or use your fingerprint. A list of apps appears — toggle on any app you want to require authentication to open.

On Samsung: set up Secure Folder for full app protection

~16s

Go to SettingsBiometrics and SecuritySecure Folder. Set it up with your Samsung account. Move sensitive apps into Secure Folder — these require your fingerprint or PIN to access and are completely hidden from the main screen.

On Pixel / stock Android: use App Pinning for temporary locking

~27s

Go to SettingsSecurityMore Security SettingsApp Pinning → turn on. Open the app you want to lock. Tap the square (Recent Apps) button → tap the app's icon at the top of the card → Pin. The phone is locked to that app.

Quick Tip

App Pinning is a session lock — it locks the phone to one app until you enter your PIN. Useful for handing your phone to someone for a specific task.

On Android 15+: use the built-in Private Space

~16s

Android 15 added a Private Space feature — a separate locked area for sensitive apps. Go to SettingsSecurity & PrivacyPrivate Space. Set up a separate lock (PIN or fingerprint) and move apps you want protected into this space.

Test your app lock

~15s

Lock your screen, unlock your phone normally, then tap a locked app. You should see a biometric/PIN prompt before the app opens.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Lock Individual Apps on Android

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Most Android phones (particularly Samsung Galaxy, Pixel, and Xiaomi devices) include a way to lock individual apps so they require fingerprint, face scan, or PIN to open — even if the phone itself is already unlocked.

This feature is built directly into the phone's settings on Samsung and some other brands. On stock Android (like Pixel phones), it requires using the Google Play Protect or the built-in app pinning feature, or a third-party app.

Samsung Galaxy

: The built-in Secure Folder feature lets you move copies of apps (or their shortcuts) into a protected, encrypted space that requires fingerprint or PIN to access. You can also use the App Lock feature in Privacy settings.

Stock Android (Pixel)

: Android 15 and later added an app lock feature. On older Pixel phones, use App Pinning (Settings → Security → Advanced → App Pinning) to lock the phone to one app temporarily, or use screen lock settings.

Google Play Protect app lock

: Google Play Protect now offers Health Connect and sensitive app protection in Android 12+, requiring biometric to open health and finance apps.

For the most reliable app locking on Android, Samsung Galaxy phones have the best built-in tools. Users of other Android phones may find app locking most reliable through the Secure Folder approach or third-party app lock apps (with varying quality and privacy practices).

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