Protect Your Phone from Prying Eyes with This Must-Have Setting!

Today, many parents find themselves caught off guard when their child grabs their phone without permission. Driven by curiosity or the desire to play, children can inadvertently access applications with just a few taps. They might even make online purchases, start a live stream on social media, or send messages or make calls to someone in your contacts, including your boss. These incidents can quickly turn into embarrassing situations. So, how do you stop your child from using your phone when they take it without your knowledge?

There is a feature on your smartphone that allows you to “limit your device to a single app and control the functions available within that app”, as stated on Apple’s website. Essentially, if your child gets hold of your phone or if you occasionally allow them to watch a video, they will only be able to access that one application and won’t be able to navigate elsewhere. This acts similarly to parental controls.

The setting in question is available on iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads, and it is also available on Android devices. On iOS, it is known as “Guided Access”. To activate it, iPhone users need to go to “Settings”, then “Accessibility”, and enable “Guided Access” and then “Accessibility Shortcut”. Next, in “Passcode Settings”, you will need to set up a passcode. After this step, open the application of your choice and press the side button three times. “If you want to disable touch response in certain areas of your screen, use a finger to draw around those areas”, Apple advises. Finally, just tap “Guided Access” and “Start”. The feature is now active! And if you don’t have an iPhone, don’t worry…

This option is also available on Android, under the name “Screen Pinning” or “Pin Windows” depending on the phone model you have. By default, it is not activated on Android. You must activate it yourself by going to your phone’s settings. Then search for “pin” in the search bar, click on “Pin windows” and enable it. Just like with the iPhone, the last step involves opening the application you want, tapping on the active page, and on the app icon you wish to pin. A menu appears, and you must press “Pin this app”. This way, the user can no longer exit the app and do whatever they want on your phone. A great way to safeguard your child!