Smartphones today store a huge amount of personal and sensitive information—from banking apps and social media accounts to private photos and work emails. While Android devices already come with strong lock screen security, many users are unaware that Android also allows you to set a separate privacy password to lock individual apps.

This added layer of security ensures that even if someone unlocks your phone, they still cannot access selected apps without authorization. Android lets you protect apps using PINs, patterns, passwords, fingerprints, or facial recognition, depending on your device model and software version.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you set a privacy password and enable app lock on Android smartphones.

What Is a Privacy Password on Android?

A privacy password is different from your phone’s main lock screen password. It is specifically designed to protect selected apps and private data. Once enabled, apps such as WhatsApp, Gallery, Messages, or Banking apps will ask for this password before opening.

How to Set a Privacy Password on Android

Follow these steps to create a privacy password on your Android device:

1. Open System Settings on your smartphone
2. Scroll down and tap on “Password & Biometrics”
3. Under the Password section, select “Set Privacy Password”
4. Choose a secure PIN or pattern (different from your lock screen password)
5. Set a security question to help recover the password if you forget it
6. Add a recovery email ID for password reset support

Once these steps are completed, your privacy password will be activated.

How to Lock Apps Using Privacy Password

After setting the privacy password, you can lock individual apps by following these steps:

1. Go to System Settings
2. Tap on “Password & Biometrics”
3. Select “Privacy Password”
4. Enter your privacy password
5. Open the Privacy Features section
6. Tap on “App Lock”
7. Turn on the app lock toggle
8. Select the apps you want to protect

From now on, these apps will ask for the privacy password before opening.

How to Use Fingerprint for App Lock

For added convenience, Android also allows users to unlock protected apps using their fingerprint.

Steps to enable fingerprint-based app lock:

1. Open System Settings
2. Scroll to “Password & Biometrics”
3. Tap on “Fingerprint” under the Biometrics section
4. Enter your lock screen password
5. Select “Use fingerprint for”
6. Enable the “App Lock” option
7. Confirm using your privacy password

This makes app access quicker while maintaining high security.

Why You Should Use App Lock on Android

• Prevents unauthorized access to private apps
• Adds extra protection even if phone lock is compromised
• Ideal for banking, gallery, and social media apps
• Helps protect personal data from children or strangers