Android Magazine UK - Issue No. 49

Password protec

your apps

I

fyou’reworriedabouttheinformationinsome

of your apps getting into the wrong hands,

thenyoucanaddanextralayerofsecurityon

topofthemwithSmartApplock.It’s free to

downloadandit’sreallysimpletogetitsetup.

Thereareanumberoffunctionsthattheapp

offers, from changing the rotation lock settings on

specifi c apps to forcing the screen to remain

switched on depending on what app you’re using.

However, in this tutorial we’re going to look at how

you can add passwords to any apps that you think

need a little more security on your Android device.

There are no special skills required and all you’ll

need to get things up and running is the Smart

Applock app itself. It really is that simple. Once

you’ve downloaded it from the Google Play store,

you’re ready to head on to step one.

Tap on the Observer option in the menu to

keep a log of failed password attempts. It’s good

to see who’s been trying to access your apps

without permission. You can even photograph

people who have entered the pass incorrectly too.

Be an observer

6

To add multiple apps at the same time,

just tap on the tick box next to their names. When

you’ve selected the ones you want to protect, tap

on the ADD button and you’ll be taken back to the

main screen which will now have those apps on it.

Add some apps

2

There are different password options to

play with. You can use a gesture or create a

password using numbers, patterns or letters. Tap

to select the one you want and tap the password

button to set it. Tweak the settings to your liking.

Choose your security

5

One trick is to add

an app. This brings up a po tification, telling

you that an app has been shut down when you tap

on it. You can then long-press on the OK button to

open up the lock screen and input your password.

Fake it

3

Swipe left from the main screen to get to

the Settings menu. Here you can tweak different

options to ensure your apps are at their safest.

You’ll also be able to change the password from

the default 7777 to something more secure.

Head to the Settings

4

When you’ve loaded up the app for the first

time,you’llbegreetedbyascreenwithapadlock

and a large green ‘+’ button at the bottom. Tap on

this and you’ll be taken to a long list of all the apps

and processes that you can add passwords to.

Tap the button

1

Use Smart Applock to add an

extra layer of security to all

of your apps

App used » Smart Applock Works with » Varies with device