In 2025, privacy is everything. You must protect your banking apps, messaging platforms, and even photos to keep your data safe and secure. But how do you do it on an Android phone?
Don’t worry, this is where app locks for Android come to the rescue, providing users with extra protection for mobile apps. These apps focus on simplicity, providing advanced features like break-in alerts, fingerprint unlock, and time-based locking.
In this blog, we have assembled the top 10 best app locks for Android in 2025, which will help you protect your applications and sensitive information.
What Is an App Lock and How Does It Work?
App locks for Android are a security tool that allows users to restrict access to specific apps on their smartphones. As compared to the generic screen lock on your phone, an app lock allows you to block specific apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Gallery, or even your banking applications.
These best online tools enhance your device’s privacy by requiring a password, PIN, fingerprint recognition or facial recognition to unlock the locked app. When installed and set up, these tools do their job in the background and automatically engage the lock as soon as a locked app is opened.
Here is how app locks for Android usually work:
- Step 1: You download the app lock from the Play Store.
- Step 2: Provide required permissions (as accessibility and usage access).
- Step 3: Pick the apps to lock.
- Step 4: Select your choice of unlocking patterns- PIN, pattern, finger or face ID.
- Step 5: The app lock is also triggered whenever an individual attempts to open a locked app.
Other advanced features that app locks for Android offer include:
- Intruder selfies: A shot is taken in case of an attempt with an incorrect password.
- Fraudulent lock screens: Face crash screens or secret launchers.
- Time-based locking: This automatically locks/unlocks during specific hours.
App locks for Android prevent the theft of our data, and stalking or prying eyes have become a wise precautionary measure in taking care of our privacy.
Features to Look for in the Best App Locks for Android
Not all app locks work well. While some offer revolutionary features, others are just plain and boring. So before you install app locks for Android, you must look for these key features:
Biometric Unlock
The most appropriate Android locking software must be biometric. This improves security as well as makes access easier and convenient.
Intruder Detection
Numerous highest-ranked applications will take a photo with a front camera in case of an attempt by an attacker. Search the program lock with a selfie of an intruder or a break-in report.
Custom Lock Settings
The good app locks for Android are the ones that help you customise apps to protect, and offer other flexible features like:
- Lock newly installed apps automatically
- Lock system settings or toggles
- Re-lock immediately or after delay
Fake cover
Certain app lock products of Android support a deceptive lock screen, e.g., a spoof error or crash screen, to fool intruders.
Time and location-based locking
More advanced app locks for Android will allow you to create time restrictions (you can lock your phone during work hours) or even react to the place where you are (e.g. you can put your phone in lockdown when you are not home).
Low battery usage
The best app locks use less battery and don’t drain it.
No Ads or Ad-Free Options
The best app locks for android offers either minimal Ads or Ad-free options. If it has none, then it also offers a premium ad-free upgrade.
Quick comparison table
| Top 10 best app locks for Android in 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| App Name | Key lock methods | Extra features | Play store rating |
| AppLock Pro by DoMobile | PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint | Themes, Low battery usage | 4.3/5 |
| Smart AppLock | PIN, Password, Fingerprint | Stealth mode, System protection | 4.2/5 |
| LOCKit | PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint | Junk cleaner, File vault | 4.1/5 |
| Perfect AppLock | PIN, Pattern, Gesture | Fake fingerprint, WiFi lock | 4.0/5 |
| Ultra AppLock | PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint | Fake crash display, Auto-hide | 3.9/5 |
| Keepsafe App Lock | PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint | Clean interface, Lightweight | 4.2/5 |
| FingerSecurity | PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint | Delayed re-lock, Themes | 4.0/5 |
| AppLocker by BGNmobi | PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint | Fake cover, Lightweight | 3.8/5 |
| Apex Launcher | Gesture, Password | Full launcher, App hiding | 4.1/5 |
| Norton Applock | PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint | Antivirus, Junk cleaner | 4.1/5 |
Top 10 Best App Locks for Android in 2025
Below we have given the top 10 best app locks for Android along with their features, pros, cons, and websites.
1. AppLock Pro by DoMobile
AppLock Pro by DoMobile is a privacy application with high levels of both trust and installations on the Play Store. Having more than 10 million+ installs, this is also an app lock with great protective features such as fingerprint authentication, PIN and pattern lock-screen and an intruder selfie option. Its friendly user interface, customization, make it among the best to be used by users that are interested in security and stylishness as well.
Guard the apps of your banks, gallery, and chats in privacy. AppLock Pro makes sure that you are the only one to unlock them, and this makes it consume limited battery.
Key Features
- PIN, pattern and fingerprint protection
- Intruder selfie takes pictures of illegal users
- Themes with the ability to edit them to have a personalised experience
- Light-weighted low battery usage
- Usable and simple interface
Pros
- Rated highly (more than 1.4M+ reviews, average star rating of 4.27)
- Intruder snapping in real time to provide extra security
- A large number of types of locking procedures
- Easy to update and developer support
Cons
- Gratis version is ad-supported
- High-quality content blocked by paywall
Rating: 4.3/5
Website: AppLock
2. Smart Applock
Smart AppLock is a powerful and heavy-duty Android app lock which offers more than assuring the locking of just the separate applications but also has the option of locking the system-level settings also. This is a very useful application especially to parents and professionals because it has a stealth mode that makes it practically unnoticeable in your phone. It is often featured among the best app locks for Android due to its versatility and reliability.
Smart App Lock is a good choice with a trustworthy anti-intruder mechanism, multi-sign-in authentication, and a compact structure, not to mention the level of seriousness about digital care that one should adopt.
Key Features
- Protection by PIN, password and fingerprints
- Apps and settings of lock systems
- Presence of apps concealment: stealth mode
Pros
- Difficult to spot in stealth mode
- Excellent when it comes to parental controls or any privacy at work
Cons
- There are some advanced features to be upgraded as paid ones
- The cost of monthly premiums can be expensive for long-time users
Rating: 4.2/5
Website: Smart Applock
3. LOCKit
LOCKit is not simply an Android app lock rather a complete device management software. In addition to fundamental protection of applications, it includes a junk cleaner, phone optimisation, file vault, and messaging security, which makes it a better choice when a user wants a holistic package in terms of privacy and speed. It is one of the most installable (more than 300K monthly), appropriately positioned users who care about the safety of devices, as well as the health of their devices in the form of hygiene.
With LOCKit, you get a complete tool suite in a single app, and you can secure confidential files, conceal personal photos, or maximise the speed of your device.
Key Features
- PIN, pattern, or fingerprint-based authentication
- Secure apps, photos, videos, and notifications
- Burglar warning and selfie intruder image capture
- In-built junk cleaner and phone booster
- Encrypted file vault of document and media
- The customisation of the theme to personalise styles
Pros
- The privacy is enhanced by FileVault and message security
- Built-in phone cleaning and refinement of speed
- Ideal among users who save classified documents
Cons
- Pro: to store an unlimited number of vaults
Rating: 4.1/5
Website: LOCKit
4. Perfect AppLock
Perfect AppLock offers unique and innovative features not seen in conventional locking programs, making it a notable Android app lock. It also offers the Fake Fingerprint scanner which is actually a brilliant deterrence tool that displays a false screen of access trying to keep away intruders. It also possesses gesture unlocking, screen filters, auto-locking apps when starting. As one of the best app locks for Android, it combines creativity with robust protection features.
To the users who want to share their devices or give themselves additional security on the go, Perfect AppLock offers highly effective precaution measures that are easy to use.
Key Features
- App locking via PIN, pattern and gesture
- Screen filter to avoid screen snooping
- Screen rotation lock options and WiFi options
Pros
- Fake fingerprint scanner
- Easy to use
- Interesting and new anti-intrusion options
- Deterrence to careless prying
- Locks belong to functions of the system, such as WiFi
Cons
- High resource usage
- The free version contains ads
- These features are paid monthly
Rating: 4.0/5
Website: .
5. Ultra AppLock
Ultra AppLock is an inconspicuous but very efficient locking app. A great Android app lock because it has the fake crash display feature that gives the impression that a safe app has crashed, thus effectively deterring people who may intrude on the phone. It works with more than one authentication technique, and it has stealth auto-hide features to provide discretion relating to protection.
Ultra AppLock is the application that helps you to be one step ahead of them with minimum power consumption and is lightweight to share devices with another user or live in the same household.
Key Features
- The security of PIN, pattern and fingerprint
- Counterfeit crash shows to allure unauthorised consumers
- Auto-hide feature of increased stealthiness
- Little weight and power consumption
- Neat and plain user interface
Pros
- Special and non-intrusive security approach
- Excellent on multiple or communal devices
- Easy and so simple to install and use
- No lags in the performance.
Cons
- The free version has fewer customisation possibilities
- The elite capabilities needed to have maximum stealth mobility
Rating: 3.9/5
Website: Ultra Applock
6. Keepsafe App Lock
Keepsafe App Lock has been created by people you can trust, who made simplicity and reliability a key. KeepSafe Vault. Being the most popular Android app lock, it is easy and neatly organised to provide the basic features, including PIN, pattern, or fingerprint protection. The app does not affect the performance and works in the background without making any sound, which is ideal for all those who seek barebone and hassle-free app security. It consistently ranks among the best app locks for Android due to its clean interface and dependable functionality.
Keepsafe App Lock targets the audience that does not require any frills and simply wants a stable service that provides high levels of privacy.
Key Features
- The designer is the famous Keepsafe team
- PIN, pattern or fingerprint lock apps
- Clear, non-cluttered interface design
- Light and quick, using a little bit of battery consumption
- Secure updates frequently.
Pros
- Basic and very user-friendly interface
- Reputable developer experience
- Perfect to get the initial requirements of the app security
- The phone’s performance is maintained since it uses fewer resources
Cons
- Few customisation possibilities
- Some features are only for premium versions
Rating: 4.2/5
Website: KeepSafe
7. FingerSecurity
FingerSecurity is one of the original app locks for Android that became the first to adopt fingerprint authentication completely. It provides sophisticated biometric security and is one of the most popular devices that people choose when they want to unlock them with a single touch.
Ideal for all those users who prefer biometric security to conventional security, FingerSecurity also offers the ease of use and sophisticated features such as delayed re-locking and theme colourisation.
Key Features
- Finger, PIN, and pattern verification
- Re-locking to be easier to use
- Themed designs to customise the app lock screen interface
- High-level security device to avoid forcible entry
- Easy and non-intrusive fingerprint authentication
Pros
- Biometric security
- Very useful to users of fingerprints
- Simple to orient and configure
- Improved security on the lock screen
Cons
- Certain fingerprint innovations will need a superior upgrade
- It is not the best solution regarding older gadgets that lack biometric sensors
Rating: 4.0/5
Website: https://fingersecurity.en.uptodown.com/android
8. AppLocker by BGNmobi
BGnmobi AppLocker is an app lock solution that does not have a lot to offer besides the necessities, but it is low priced. Being rather simplified, it comes with false covers, PIN/pattern/fingerprint locks, and a lightweight body, which makes it a rather good choice when daily privacy is required but a subscription is not required.
AppLocker is a core security tool that is lightly impacted on the systems it is running on, thus offering where it counts to the user. It is ideal in personal phones or non-demanding applications that do not require heavy-duty applications.
Key Features
- The choice of PIN, pattern and fingerprint authentication
- Fake covers, such as crash screens or fake fingerprint scans
- Very light with little consumption of battery power
- Nice and swift interface
- Single fee to eliminate advertisement
Pros
- Free of charge, all features in its core set
- Creative snoopers are discouraged by fake cover
- Does not bog down your machine
- It is one of the most price-effective alternatives
Cons
- Does not offer high-end customisation
- Occasional ads
Rating: 3.8/5
Website: App Lock: Fingerprint, Pattern
9. Apex Launcher
Apex Launcher is a hybrid, it is a full-function Android launcher with the additional abilities of an Android app locker. It enables the users to customize their home screens, generate secure folders and conceal apps, and append gesture-based and password protection. This makes it perfect for those who prefer getting style and privacy at the same time.
Introducing app security in launcher experience, Apex Launcher allows you to shorten your Android interface and protect your apps in front of unwanted eyes.
Key Features
- It acts as an app locker and launcher
- App concealing and protection of safe folders
- Home screen and UI customisation
- Support of theme and widgets
Pros
- Easy, sleek interface, easy execution
- State-of-the-art app locking gestures
- Perfect in case you are a user who loves customising the UI extensively
Cons
- To access some features need a premium version
- It is not an app locking app (features are embedded)
Rating: 4.1/5
Website: https://apex-launcher.en.uptodown.com/android/download
10. Norton AppLock
The Norton App Lock is an app lock for Android, which is developed by the well-established brand of Norton; This app lock not only secures the apps but also provides strong antivirus security. It provides an opportunity to keep apps locked with fingerprint, PIN, or pattern connectivity and features such as intruder selfies or junk cleaning, among others, and it is even able to do all this in the background.
Norton App Lock has malware detection features and a clean interface, which make it suitable in cases when a user would like to use a no-compromise-type of privacy and antivirus combo.
Key Features
- Norton security and antivirus support are reliable
- Authentication with fingerprint, PIN and patterns
- Intruder selfie option to apprehend snoopers
- On-the-fly protection and code scanning
- Light, compact and ergonomic
Pros
- Presents antivirus and app lock combined in one application
- Masterful malware coverage and threat management
- Convenient to operate and a clean interface
Cons
- Fewer customisations as compared to other apps
- Premium version only has threat protection
Rating: 4.1/5
Website: Norton Applock
How to Set Up and Use an App Lock on Android
Setting up an app lock for Android is very simple, and can be done in less than a minute. Here is how to do it:
Step 1: Choose the right app lock
It is important to first choose a top app lock Android as per your needs. Some value the fingerprint authentication, and then others might seek extra features such as selfie photos of intruders or two-tier security. If you want to choose an appropriate app, check out the top 10 app locks for Android list.
Step 2: Download and Install
Go to Google Play Store, and download the application by clicking on the install button. Once installation is done, open the app and grant permissions.
Step 3: Set Up a Lock Type
Most of the apps offer multiple locking methods like PIN code, Pattern lock, Fingerprint scan, and even facial recognition. Choose the most preferred method and set it up.
Step 4: Select apps to lock
Once done, choose all the apps you wish to lock, like WhatsApp, Instagram, Gallery, etc. and toggle the lock switch to start protection.
Step 5: Test it Out
Lastly, open any app that is locked and make sure the layer of security is working. Possibly go back to the options to lock the app and adjust preferential settings to have more manipulation or experience.
Pros and Cons of Using App Locks for Android
Pros
- Enhanced Privacy: App locks give you the facility to lock your apps, such as messaging, gallery, banking and notes, where your personal life remains personal.
- Guest and Child Control: You can also deny children or guests access to inappropriate content and change the settings or delete the data.
- Added layer of protection: App locks generate an additional layer of protection around sensitive applications even when somebody bypasses the main lock of your phone.
- Theft Protection: Most Android apps in the app lock category contain such features as intruder selfies or fake crash screens to recognise or blind unauthorised users.
- Customisation & Convenience: Many app lockers are both secure and convenient, with fingerprint (or face unlock) unlock options.
Cons
- Resource Consumption: Not all app lockers can be battery draining or even slow down your phone slightly.
- App Lock Bypass: Skilled users or Android-savvy hackers may figure out a way to uninstall or deactivate the lock unless there is uninstall protection for the app.
- Permission Overload: Several app lockers need numerous authorisations (such as accessibility or use access), and this may be a privacy issue in case such an app is developed by an insecure developer.
- Ad Intrusiveness: The ads that are present in free versions are a hindrance and can be very irritating.
- Compatibility Issues: Certain applications might fail to operate on certain Android versions/brands because of custom UI limitations and power-saving options.
Conclusion
In the modern world, where digital privacy is becoming an increasing concern, a trusted app lock on Android is not a luxury but a necessity. Depending on your preferences, an app lock on the market is out there; you can be interested in an advanced security lock, an attractive control lock or a lightweight performance of yours. Norton and AppLock by DoMobile, Apex Launcher, and Smart AppLock are the best examples of tools that enhance individual privacy and control over a cellphone with unique values and services.
In this blog, we have added the top 10 best app locks for Android. Choose the one that suits your needs the most. Make the decision you are comfortable with and have a rest-assured feeling that your data will not be shared with everyone.
FAQS
What are the best app locks for Android?
The most appropriate app locks for Android in 2025 is what you need. Among the best locks are AppLock by DoMobile, Norton App Lock, and LOCKit which have excellent privacy options, usage of fingerprint, and general usage.
Are app lock apps safe on Android?
Well, downloading an Android app lock is safe as long as downloaded from trusted sites such as Google Play Store. To make sure malware or data security is not at risk, you always need to look at the reviews of the given app, how often it gets upgraded, and who the developer of the app is.
Is it possible to lock apps on Android?
A high number of app locks include app-hiding. There are some that allow you to hide certain apps or content on your home screen or in your app drawe,r like AppLock Pro or Apex Launcher in the name of privacy.
Are there fingerprint locks in free app lock apps?
Yes, most of the free ones of the app lock apps on Android use fingerprint support. Nevertheless, to get more features such as those of an intruder selfie or an advertisement-free experience, you might want to buy the premium version.
