How to Lock Your Android Apps Using Your Face and Voice

Time to get realistic. Not all of us are exactly proud of all the apps we have installed on our phone. Maybe you have private documents stored in one, or maybe you’re just a little shy about what’s on your Tinder profile. Sure you could tuck away certain apps in a folder, but a much better solution would be to keep the ones you want private under lock and key.

And by lock and key, I mean face and voice. A free and awesome Android app called AppLock scans your face and listens to your voice as a security template. Then, once those specific traits are applied as a password for your apps, your Android phone will be able to tell when it’s really you trying to gain access and grant it.

Setting Up Face and Voice Recognition

When setting up AppLock, the first step is to choose your unlock phrase. For password-protected apps, this is what you’ll need to say out loud for voice recognition to unlock the app. Preset options include “Verify Me”, “Unlock My App”, and “Open AppLock” but you can set the phrase to whatever you want.

Now it’s time to put both facial recognition and voice recognition to the test.

Important: It’s imperative that you find a well-lit area for the app to recognize your face. If you can’t, try shining a flashlight

Use the guides at the top to determine if your face is properly aligned and lighting is decent. Adjust as necessary. While facial recognition is at work, you need to repeat your unlock phrase three times so AppLock can recognize your voice too.

Lastly, you’ll have to choose an alternate method of authentication. This is just in case face and voice recognition in a given situation don’t work, or if you choose not to utilize them. Opt to input a pattern, a four-digit pin code or a standard password.

Now that AppLock is set up, it’s time to toy with the options for locking specific apps.

Locking Your Apps

Once you grant AppLock access to usage in your Android settings, you should see all of your apps listed along with their preset security levels. By default, all of the apps are currently unlocked, meaning they require no layer of security before opening.

AppLock includes two other modes for security. The middle lock icon at the top is Convenience Mode. If you enable this for any number of apps, you’ll be required to provide your face or your voice before opening — or your alternative pattern, pin or password. If you opt for TrulySecure Mode, which is the lock icon surrounded by a border, AppLock will need both your face and your voice to allow access to the specified app(s).

Play around with the security settings available for each app and set them to your liking. Finally, when you try to open a protected app, AppLock will intervene and require the appropriate amount of authentication. It’s a great way to add an extra layer of security to your Android smartphone.

SEE ALSO: How to Keep Your Android as Secure as Possible