Pin & unpin screens

You can pin an app's screen to keep it in view until you unpin it.

For example, you can pin an app and hand your phone to a friend. With the screen pinned, your friend can use only that app. To use your other apps again, you can unpin the screen.

Note: Some of these steps work only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn on screen pinning

  1. Open your device's Settings app Settings app.
  2. Tap Security & Location and then Advanced and then Screen pinning.
  3. Turn on Screen pinning.

When screen pinning is on, you'll see an option to ask for your PIN, pattern, or password before unpinning.

Pin a screen

After turning on screen pinning:

  1. Go to the screen you want to pin.
  2. Swipe up to the middle of your screen.
  3. At the top of the image, tap the app's icon.
  4. Tap the Pin Pin.
If you're using Android 8.1 & below
  1. Go to the screen you want to pin.
  2. Tap Overview Overview.
  3. Swipe up to show the Pin Pin. You'll see it at the bottom right of your selected screen.
  4. Tap the Pin Pin.

Unpin a screen

  1. On the pinned screen, touch and hold Back Back and Home Home.
  2. If you chose to be asked for your PIN, pattern, or password before unpinning, you'll need to enter it.
If you're using Android 8.1 & below
  1. On the pinned screen, touch and hold Back Back and Overview Overview.
  2. If you chose to be asked for your PIN, pattern, or password before unpinning, you'll need to enter it.
Was this article helpful?
How can we improve it?