How to lock an Android screen for kids with app pinning
App pinning keeps a child inside one app, with no way to open messages or photos, until you unlock it.
The fix
Turn on app pinning
- 1
Open the setting.
Pixel: Settings › Security & privacy › More security & privacy › App pinning. Samsung: Settings › Security and privacy › More security settings › Pin app.
- 2
Turn it on, plus the option to ask for a PIN before unpinning.
The fix
Pin an app
- 1
Open the app your child will use.
- 2
Open Recent apps.
- 3
Tap the app icon above its preview and choose Pin.
The fix
Unpin it
- 1
Gestures: swipe up from the bottom and hold.
- 2
Buttons: touch and hold Back and Recents together.
- 3
Enter your PIN.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child still touch the screen while pinned?
Yes, they can use the pinned app normally. They just cannot leave it. On Android there is no built in touch lock like iPhone’s Guided Access.
What if unpinning does not ask for a PIN?
Turn on Ask for PIN before unpinning, or Lock device when unpinning, in the app pinning settings.
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Block a number on your Android phone from Recents or Phone settings on Samsung and Pixel. Also how to block texts, add a number by hand and unblock later.