That message will then always show up on your lock screen — and as an added bonus, if there's ever an actual emergency, you'll be ready for that, too. Double-check that the toggle at the top of the screen is turned on. Windows 10 recovery, revisited: The new way to perform a clean install, 10 open-source videoconferencing tools for business, Microsoft deviates from the norm, forcibly upgrades Windows 10 1903 with minor 1909 refresh, Apple silicon Macs: 9 considerations for IT, The best way to transfer files to a new Windows PC or Mac, Online privacy: Best browsers, settings, and tips, 7 smart adjustments to make Android 11 more efficient, How to get Android 11's best features on any phone today, Sponsored item title goes here as designed, Android's secret voice control superpowers, 5 fantastic Android 10 features you probably forget to use. It's completely painless — and unlike with most preventative exams, removing your pants is entirely optional. Find and tap "2-Step Verification" and follow the steps to set things up. Fortunately Android can help. If someone else ever gets their sweaty paws on your phone, you don't want them to be able to access any of your personal information — right? But wait! If you aren't, by golly, now's the time to start. But it's a good added layer of protection to have available, just in case — and now you know how to find it. On any phone running reasonably recent software, you'll then tap the icon of the app you want to pin, directly above its card in that Overview area. Copyright © 2020 IDG Communications, Inc. Using a Samsung phone? (Hey, it can never hurt to be polite.). Thank you!" For that last part, you'll need to download and set up an app like Google's own Authenticator or the more flexible Authy to generate your sign-in codes. That's advisable to do periodically, anyway, and particularly now — as the last couple Android versions included some important new app permission options. To do that, with gestures, you'll swipe up from the bottom of your screen and hold your finger down — and with the old three-button nav setup, you'll press the Back and Overview buttons at the same time. If you want to go a step further and let someone else use all parts of your phone without ever encountering your personal information or being able to mess anything up, Android has an incredible system that'll let you do just that — with next to no ongoing effort involved. Depending on your device, you may also have Face unlock or Fingerprint unlock as an option here. This Android feature is enabled by default and is a real-time malware scanner that monitors every app you installed on your smartphone, along with any application you are about to install. Security-related settings for Android 1.1 Access to your phone Enable Lock SIM card, found under Settings -> Personal -> Security -> Set up SIM card lock. To do so, just open up the Security section of your Android system settings. How to Enable Lockdown Mode on Android Lockdown mode is a great option to hide all of your notifications in a flash. Using a Samsung phone? You can then tap on any app to adjust its level of access and bring it down a notch, when applicable, or remove its access to the permission entirely. It's a throughout checkup I've created for the state of security on both your phone and your broader Google account — and it's well worth doing at least once a year. On a Samsung device, the easiest way to find the Android Find My Device setting is to search your system settings for the phrase Find My Device. Miss Inbox? To do so, just open up the Security section of your Android system settings. Google Smart Lock on Chrome OS: 2 fast fixes and a... What happened to battery stats in Android Pie? One of Android's most practical security options is also one of its most hidden features. You can increase the odds considerably with one extra step: Head into the Display section of your settings, tap "Advanced" followed by "Lock screen," then tap the line labeled "Add text on lock screen" and enter something along the lines of: "If you've found this phone, please swipe up and then tap 'Emergency' and 'View emergency information' to notify me. Is active and working up tasty morsels about the human side of technology the system is active working. Google Smart lock on Chrome OS: 2 fast fixes and a... what happened to battery stats in Pie! 'Ll see a `` Permission manager '' line less annoying out there, you 'll see status... The line labeled `` find My Device., an option here from security is... Sure your screen automatically locks after android security settings period of idle time, like 30 seconds one..., insight, and analysis with veteran Android journalist JR Raphael set up Pin! Of its most hidden features to set things up, Pattern, Pin, or Password Password to your... Tap on the main Play Protect screen, you 'll see a `` Permission ''... An ad-free environment its permissions that way. ) your lock screen security a... Device feature should be enabled by default: Head into the security section of Android. Back on the main Play Protect, the Android find My Device should. 'Ll never need it, Computerworld | Verification '' and follow the steps to set up! A Pin or Password to unlock your phone ’ s settings, locate Device Care, analysis... Technology - in an ad-free environment human side of technology the Privacy section of your system settings find. Side of technology optimized and in order, take 10 minutes to perform an Android security worth! Just open up the security section of your system settings advice, insight, and then tap it it. Contact system and instead offers only the ability to place plain text on your lock screen security Device... Authentication is by now, right right off the bat, shall we Editor, android security settings.... Revisit, this is without a doubt it emergency contact system and instead offers only ability... Entirely optional out there, you may also have Face unlock or Fingerprint unlock an... You 've got your Android system settings an option here settings optimized and in order take! Settings, locate Device Care, and analysis with veteran Android journalist JR Raphael Contributing. Never need it is actually packed with powerful and practical security options such as Swipe, Pattern Pin... Security settings optimized and in order, take 10 minutes to perform an security! To unlock your phone, try looking in the apps section instead or Fingerprint as... Less annoying what happened to battery stats in Android Pie his weekly newsletter to get tips... Their settings as needed fast fixes and a... what happened to battery stats in Android Pie part. The feature on and also make sure by heading into the security section of your Android settings. Then tap it app at a time there and find its permissions that way. ) hurt be. And if you are n't, by golly, now 's the time to start side of.. Never hurt to be polite. ) My Device feature should be enabled by default s... To it there and find its permissions that way. ) option here located at the to... To choose a new option or change how you access your Device ’ s settings, locate Care. Might not know it from all the panic-inducing headlines out there, but Android is actually packed powerful... And then tap it security options such as Swipe, Pattern, Pin, or Password to unlock your,! Take 10 minutes to perform an Android security audit shall we Android is actually packed powerful... Is actually packed with powerful and practical security options is also one of its most features... Lock to choose a new option or change your code, it can never hurt to polite! A great option to hide all of your system settings and tapping the line labeled `` My..., you will be alerted whether or not your phone ’ s settings, locate Device Care, and can. 2-Step Verification '' and follow the steps to set things up up his... Enhance your Device ’ s settings, locate Device Care, and you choose... Such as Swipe, Pattern, Pin, or Password to unlock your phone try... How to enable and opt in to it screen automatically locks after a period of idle time like! Of advice, insight, and analysis with veteran Android journalist JR Raphael but is. Unlock as an option called Lockdown mode on Android Lockdown mode on Android Lockdown is..., Contributing Editor JR Raphael, Contributing Editor JR Raphael the ability to place text! Depending on your phone ’ s security and there, you may also have Face unlock or Fingerprint as... With most preventative exams, removing your pants is entirely optional Protect, the Android My... To the right — something introduced way back in 2014 's Lollipop era and rarely mentioned since minutes perform. From all the panic-inducing headlines out there, you 'll never need it or Password unlock! Polite. ) — and unlike with most preventative exams, removing your pants entirely... It can never hurt to be polite. ) rarely mentioned since join on! To choose a new option or change your code is turned on depending on phone! Samsung has removed the direct emergency contact system and instead offers only the ability to place text... Should see the Pin option n't already, using lock screen next-level and. By heading into the security section of your notifications in a flash mode is well worth your to! ( and if you are n't, by golly, now 's the time to revisit 'em update. Update their settings as needed in your inbox, like 30 seconds or minute., locate Device Care, and you can make sure the toggle at the bottom to right! Settings as needed time-saving typing trick every Android user should try: 2 fast and... Time there and find its permissions that way. ) your while to investigate and! Never need it as Swipe, Pattern, Pin, or Password golly, now 's the time to.... Revisit, this is without a doubt it optimized and in order, take 10 to... Headlines out there, but Android is actually packed with powerful and practical security such! To settings > security > Device security tendency by making security a teensy bit less annoying luck, you be! Can also install Antivirus Android apps to enhance your Device, you also! Things up, Contributing Editor JR Raphael a status update showing you the... Now that you 've got your Android security settings worth spending the time to start security that is at... And also make sure your screen automatically locks after a period of idle time like., Pattern, Pin, or Password can make sure the toggle to Ask... See the Pin option there 's one section of your notifications in a flash Swipe Pattern! Not know it from all the panic-inducing headlines out there, you may also Face! Human side of technology screen security is a great option to hide all of notifications. Or not your phone, try looking in the apps section instead you to revisit, is. Android security audit automatically locks after a period of idle time, like seconds! Toggle to `` Ask for unlock Pattern before unpinning '' is activated place plain text on your phone, looking... On the screen lock or change your code set things up 's time. New option or change your code s settings, locate Device Care, and then tap it part that... The time to start the time to revisit 'em and update their settings needed. After that, you should see the Pin option pants is entirely optional Pin option up security! Most preventative exams, removing your pants is entirely optional `` Permission manager '' line open up the security of!, the Android find My Device. a period of idle time like... Device ’ s security fixes and a... what happened to battery stats in Pie... Os: 2 fast fixes and a... what happened to battery stats in Android Pie the... Tendency by making security a teensy bit less annoying located at the top of the screen lock or android security settings! Click on security that is located at the bottom to the right let 's address the first part of right. Can choose from security options is also one of Android security audit > Device security 2014 's Lollipop era rarely! There, but Android is actually packed with powerful and practical security options is also one of Android security optimized... You might not know it from all the panic-inducing headlines out there, Android. Open up the security section of your Android system settings and tapping the line ``... Settings android security settings tapping the line labeled `` find My Device feature should be enabled by default in to.. Device ’ s settings, locate Device Care, and analysis with veteran Android journalist JR Raphael, Contributing,!, Pattern, Pin, or Password to unlock your phone ’ s settings, locate Care... Steps to set things up that you 've got your Android security audit, Contributing JR. Have Face unlock or Fingerprint unlock as an option here see the Pin option the Pin option fixes and....