How To Lock Down Your Smartphone
By Tracey Dowdy
Stories about kids who’ve racked up charges on their parents credit card via in-app purchases aren’t new. Earlier this year, author Ayelet Waldman went on a Twitter rant when her son spent $120 on Kim Kardashian, Hollywood in just two days. That seems like a bargain compared to the Belgian kid who charged $46,000 – yes, I meant to type three zeroes – to grandpa’s card playing Game of War: Fire Age.
The risk of unintended credit card charges is just one of the reasons to limit access to your phone. As tech savvy as kids are, it’s easy for them to accidentally – or on purpose – access areas of your phone or the Internet you may not want. Just as we put parental controls on our computers, there are simple ways to manage access to your smartphone.
Here’s a step by step guide to locking down your smartphone to protect both you and your child.
Apple iOS
With iOS you have two options: Guided Access or Restrictions.
- Guided Access is best if you just need to lock the device short term, e.g. you’re waiting to be seated at a restaurant and only want the child to access a single app. To set Guided Access: Navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Guided Access. From here you can enable Guided Access and set your password. To activate, go to the app you want to lock the phone to, press the Home button three times and the Guided Access screen will appear. To exit, press the Home button again three times and put in the password and the phone is no longer limited to the single app.
- Restrictions limits accessibility device-wide. Because it’s password protected, you have control over app installation – disable completely or set age appropriate content levels – disable in-app purchases and limit access to certain websites. To set Restrictions: navigate to Settings> General > Restrictions. From here you’ll create a PIN that will be used anytime you want to change your current restrictions. Simply scroll through your list of apps and customize the content, apps, and accessibility level appropriate to your family.
Android
Google has introduced something called “Screen Pinning” with its most recent update, which allows you to lock your phone to a single app. To enable pinning: Navigate to Settings > Security > Screen pinning > On. Once enabled it’s easy to pin your screen anytime. Note you can only pin the last app you accessed so launch the app and follow these steps:
- Tap on the Overview button (square button at the bottom of your screen)
- Drag the title bar for the app you’ve selected to the middle of your screen
- Tap the blue pin button at the bottom of the screen
- Confirm you want to pin the app – you have the option to make this step password protected
- Tap Start
To exit Screen Pinning: Touch and hold the back and overview buttons at the same time. After a few seconds the screen will revert back to the Overview screen.
Windows Phone
Windows offers a “Kids Corner” feature that allows you to create an environment customized to your specifications. It’s available from the Home screen or you can go to Settings > Kid’s Corner and switch to “On”. Once Kids Corner is active, you can pin it to the Start screen and start customizing each of the four sections: Games, Music, Videos and Apps.
To add features, choose a category like Games. Simply go to the games installed on the phone and check the box of each one you want to include. Tap “Done” when the list is complete. Windows allows you to further customize the app by adding a photo or background colors and you can rename the app to personalize it for your child. Note the Start and Home buttons are disabled in Kids Corner. To exit, just tap the power button and unlock the phone.
Whether you’re letting a friend check their email or your nephew play “Angry Birds” while you wait for a table at a restaurant, being able to restrict access to your smartphone is a great idea and something you should really take advantage of.
Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.
I pay a visit each day some web sites and websites to read articles or reviews,
but this website offers quality based articles.
I am really pleased to read this webpage posts which carries lots of helpful information, thanks for providing such information.
I am genuinely happy to glance at this website posts which carries tons
of valuable facts, thanks for providing these kinds of information.
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote
and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring
blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any helpful hints for beginner blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
I just couldn’t depart your website prior to suggesting that I
actually loved the standard information a person supply
in your visitors? Is going to be again frequently to check out new posts
Hi there, I do believe your blog might be having browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine
however, when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues.
I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
Aside from that, wonderful blog!
Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using?
I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but
I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most
blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Incredible points. Great arguments. Keep up the amazing work.
There’s definately a lot to learn about this issue.
I love all the points you’ve made.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to
drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic
blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
Good article! We will be linking to this great content on our site.
Keep up the great writing.
Wow, this article is fastidious, my younger sister is analyzing such things, therefore I
am going to inform her.
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a
few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m
not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.
Hey there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest
to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on website. Regards
Excellent weblog right here! Additionally your website so much up very fast!
What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your affiliate link for
your host? I want my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers
and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!
each time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that
also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of
writing which I am reading here.
Quality posts is the key to be a focus for the
people to visit the site, that’s what this web site is providing.
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody
else know such detailed about my trouble. You are wonderful!
Thanks!
Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I
found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Great goods from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff prior to and you’re just too great.
I really like what you’ve got here, certainly like what you are stating and the way wherein you are saying it.
You’re making it enjoyable and you still care for to stay it wise.
I can’t wait to read far more from you. That is actually a terrific website.
Wonderful article! That is the kind of information that are meant to be shared across
the internet. Shame on the seek engines for not positioning this submit upper!
Come on over and talk over with my web site . Thank you =)
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It actually was
once a entertainment account it. Look complicated
to far introduced agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep in touch?
Авторизованные посетители имеют
доступ к расшеринному функционалу.
Они могут использовать
возможности аккаунта, вносить депозит, принимать
участие в соревнованиях. Для
входа в учетную запись хватит 10 секунд.
Создание профиля включает в себя три шага.
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Safari.
I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility
but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design and
style look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Thanks
I got this website from my friend who informed me about this website and at
the moment this time I am browsing this site and reading very informative content here.
Teen mom caught shoplifting brought to tears by police officer’s
kind act. Sheena Davenport walked out of an Alabama courtroom last week with her head down. The 19-year-old mother pleaded guilty.
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this web site before
but after going through some of the posts I realized it’s
new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and
checking back frequently!
Hello theonlinemom.com owner, Your posts are always well thought out.
Dear theonlinemom.com owner, Your posts are always informative.
Dear theonlinemom.com webmaster, Your posts are always on topic and relevant.
Dear theonlinemom.com owner, Keep up the good work!
Hello theonlinemom.com webmaster, Your posts are always well written and informative.
Dear theonlinemom.com owner, Thanks for the well-researched post!
To the theonlinemom.com admin, Keep sharing your knowledge!
To the theonlinemom.com admin, Thanks for the well-structured and well-presented post!
To the theonlinemom.com admin, Keep up the good work!
Hi theonlinemom.com webmaster, Your posts are always on topic and relevant.
To the theonlinemom.com administrator, Your posts are always thought-provoking and inspiring.
Hello theonlinemom.com webmaster, You always provide clear explanations and step-by-step instructions.
Hi theonlinemom.com owner, Your posts are always well written.
Hi theonlinemom.com webmaster, Your posts are always well-supported and evidence-based.
Hi theonlinemom.com administrator, Excellent work!
Hello theonlinemom.com owner, You always provide great examples and real-world applications.
Dear theonlinemom.com webmaster, Your posts are always well organized and easy to understand.
Dear theonlinemom.com owner, You always provide great insights.
Hello theonlinemom.com owner, Your posts are always well organized and easy to understand.
Hi theonlinemom.com admin, Your posts are always on topic and relevant.
Hi theonlinemom.com owner, Your posts are always a great source of information.
Dear theonlinemom.com owner, You always provide great examples and real-world applications, thank you for your valuable contributions.
Hello theonlinemom.com owner, You always provide useful links and resources.
Hi theonlinemom.com administrator, Your posts are always informative.
Dear theonlinemom.com administrator, You always provide great insights.
Hello theonlinemom.com administrator, Your posts are always well-supported by facts and figures.
Hello theonlinemom.com owner, Your posts are always informative and well-explained.
Hi theonlinemom.com admin, Your posts are always a great source of knowledge.
Dear theonlinemom.com owner, Your posts are always well-supported by facts and figures.
Hi theonlinemom.com administrator, Your posts are always a great source of knowledge.