Pin & unpin screens on a Pixel phone

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.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn on app pinning

1. Open your device's Settings app.
2. Tap Security & privacy  More security settings App pinning.
3. Turn on Use app pinning.

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

Pin a screen

After turning on app pinning:

1. Go to the screen you want to pin.
2. Swipe up to the middle of your screen and hold.
   • 3-button navigation: Tap Overview 
3. At the top of the image, tap the app's icon.
4. Tap Pin .

Unpin a screen

1. Choose how to get around on your device.  Learn how to get around on your Pixel phone.
2. To unpin a screen:
   • Gesture navigation: Swipe up and hold.
   • 2-button navigation: Touch and hold Back and Home .
   • 3-button navigation: Touch and hold Back and Overview .
3. If you're asked for your PIN, pattern, or password, enter it.