Here's how to lock apps and files with your fingerprint

Fingerprint scanners make it easier than ever to secure your smartphone, reducing the need to type in a PIN code or password. Whether you’re locking or unlocking your device or signing into apps, it’s undoubtedly one of the most practical features in today’s phones. It’s even possible to unlock and lock apps and files with your fingerprint! Let’s show you how.

Lock apps and files using a third-party app

The easiest way to lock apps and files and use your fingerprint to access them is by using a third-party app. One of the most trusted and popular ones is AppLock, so let’s show you how to use this app first.

1. Download AppLock from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and set up an unlock pattern.
3. Once in the app, tap the Protect tab.
4. Expand the Security section.
5. Toggle on Use Fingerprint.
6. Go back to the Privacy tab.
7. Find the app you want to secure and tap the lock next to it.
8. Grant the app the necessary permissions.
9. Try to access the app you locked.
10. When the app asks you for the pattern unlock, use your fingerprint instead. The app should be unlocked.

How to lock files using AppLock

AppLock also has a neat feature that allows you to lock and access files using your fingerprint reader. The Vault feature can hide away photos, videos, audio, random files, and even APK files. The app will move the file to its own protected folders and keep it away from other apps.

1. Open AppLock.
2. Under the Privacy tab, go into Vault.
3. Select the type of file you want to protect.
4. Tap the + button.
5. Find and select the file.
6. Tap the Lock button.
7. Hit Confirm.
8. Let the app work its magic. After doing this, the selected files will only be visible within the Vault, and you can access them using your fingerprint reader.

Note: These instructions were assembled using a Google Pixel 8a running Android 15. Keep in mind steps may differ depending on your hardware and software.

Other great third-party apps for locking apps and files with your fingerprint

Of course, the Google Play Store has plenty of other options. Here are some of our other favorites.

• App Lock by InShot
• App Lock Pro by App Lock LLC
• AppLock by AppAzio

Some phone manufacturers let you lock apps and files

The great thing about Android is that developers and manufacturers always try to fill in the voids when Google doesn’t offer a solution for something. Some smartphone manufacturers make it simple to lock apps and files using their own apps and integrations. Let’s go over some of the popular ones.

Samsung

Samsung is one of the most popular smartphone makers worldwide, so we know many of you are rocking their handsets. You’ll be happy to learn Samsung has its own method for locking apps and files, allowing you to access them with your fingerprint. There is no need to download any apps; it’s built right into the system.

Lock apps and files with your fingerprint on Samsung phones:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Security and privacy.
3. Tap on More security settings.
4. Select Secure Folder.
5. Enter the PIN.
6. Tap on Lock type.
7. Enter your PIN again.
8. Enable the Fingerprints option and follow the steps to finish the process.

After this, you will be able to move files into your Secure Folder. You can go in there and access these files.

Note: These instructions were assembled using a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 running Android 15. Keep in mind steps may differ depending on your hardware and software.

OnePlus

OnePlus has offered fingerprint scanners since the OnePlus 2, but they’re not merely used for locking and unlocking the phone. The company has delivered fingerprint app lock functionality for a few years, dubbed App Locker.

Use the OnePlus App Lock:

1. Go into the Settings.
2. Select Privacy.
3. Tap on App Lock.
4. Enter your PIN.
5. Toggle App Lock on.
6. Toggle on the apps you want to secure and go back.
7. You’ll be asked for authentication the next time you try to access the selected apps. Use your fingerprint.

OnePlus has also added a way to hide files within its File Manager. It’s called Lockbox.

Hide files on OnePlus devices with Private Safe:

1. Go into the Settings.
2. Select Privacy.
3. Go into Private Safe.
4. Enter your PIN.
5. Tap on the three-dot menu icon.
6. Go into Settings.
7. Hit Other unlock methods.
8. Toggle on Fingerprint unlock.
9. Go back to the Private Safe main page.
10. Select the type of file you want to protect. We’ll use Images and videos for this example.
11. Tap on the + button.
12. Select the images you want to protect and hit Set as private.

OnePlus doesn’t allow taking screenshots within the Private Safe, but we can show you visual steps for getting there.

Note: These instructions were assembled using a OnePlus Nord N200 running Android 12. Keep in mind steps may differ depending on your hardware and software.

Check out the Google Photos Locked Folder

Google Photos is one of the most popular gallery and cloud storage apps around. This is mainly because it comes directly from Google, is a great service, and happens to come pre-installed in many Android phones.

More recently, Google included a new feature that allows you to hide photos and videos behind secure folder, which you can also unlock with your fingerprint. It’s called Locked Folder. Here’s how to use it.

How to use Google Photos Locked Folder:

1. Launch the Google Photos app.
2. Tap on the Collections tab.
3. Scroll to the bottom and go into Locked.
4. If you have a fingerprint set up on your phone, you’ll be asked to authenticate your identity with it. Of course, it also supports Face Unlock, your PIN, and your password.
5. You’re in!

Editor’s note: We used a Google Pixel 8a running Android 15 to formulate these instructions. Google Photos Locked Folder doesn’t allow you to take screenshots of the UI, so we can’t show you the steps visually.

When you want to add photos or videos to your Locked folder, launch Google Photos, tap and hold (select) the pictures and videos you want to hide, and tap on Move to Locked Folder. Hit Move to confirm.

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