Set screen lock on an Android device

You can set up a screen lock to help secure your Android phone or tablet from unauthorized access. Each time you turn on your device or wake up the screen, you’ll be asked to unlock your device, usually with a PIN, pattern, or password. On some devices, you can unlock with your fingerprint.

Important:

• Some of these steps work only on Android 10 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
• Some of these steps require you to touch the screen.

Set or change a screen lock

Important: To ensure your automatic and manual backups are encrypted with your screen lock, use a PIN, pattern, or a password. Learn how to back up or restore data on your phone.

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Security.
   • If you don’t find “Security,”: To get help, go to your phone manufacturer’s support site.
3. To pick a kind of screen lock, tap Screen lock.
   • If you’ve already set a lock: You’ll need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password before you can pick a different lock.
4. Tap the screen lock option you’d like to use.
5.  Follow the on-screen instructions.

Screen lock options

No lock

• None: Your phone stays unlocked. This gives no protection, but you can get to your Home screen quickly.
• Swipe: Swipe your finger across your screen. This gives no protection, but you can get to your Home screen quickly.

Standard locks

• PIN: Enter 4 or more numbers, but a 6 digit PIN is recommended for added security. Longer PINs tend to be more secure.
• Pattern: Draw a simple pattern with your finger.
• Password: Enter 4 or more letters or numbers. A strong password is the most secure screen lock option.

About Auto-confirm unlock

You won’t need to tap the enter key to unlock your phone with Auto-confirm unlock. To turn it on, you need to choose at least a 6-digit PIN code or more. For increased security, the code length of PIN codes longer than 6 digits aren’t visually hinted at on the screen.

You can turn Auto-confirm on or off, as long as your PIN code consists of more than 6 digits.

Important: If you opt in to Auto-confirm unlock, it may decrease the security of your device.

You can set up Auto-confirm unlock in Security settings.

1. On your phone, go to Settings.
2. Tap Security  Screen lock.
   • If you don’t find “Security,”: To get help, go to your phone manufacturer’s support site.
3. Turn Auto-confirm on or off.

Disable screen lock

Important:  Disabling screen lock gives no protection for your device. 

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Security.
   • If you don’t find “Security,”: To get help, go to your phone manufacturer’s support site.
3. If you’ve already set a lock, you’ll need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
4. To remove your current screen lock method, tap None.

Related resources

• Create a screen lock
• Set up a fingerprint, PIN, pattern, or password