Set screen lock on an Android device

You can set up a screen lock to help secure your Android phone or tablet from unauthorized access. Each time you turn on your device or wake up the screen, you’ll be asked to unlock your device, usually with a PIN, pattern, or password. On some devices, you can unlock with your fingerprint.

Set or change a screen lock

Important: To ensure your automatic and manual backups are encrypted with your screen lock, use a PIN, pattern, or a password. Learn how to back up or restore data on your phone.

Screen lock options

No lock Standard locks

About Auto-confirm unlock

You won’t need to tap the enter key to unlock your phone with Auto-confirm unlock. To turn it on, you need to choose at least a 6-digit PIN code or more. For increased security, the code length of PIN codes longer than 6 digits aren’t visually hinted at on the screen.

You can turn Auto-confirm on or off, as long as your PIN code consists of more than 6 digits.

Important: If you opt in to Auto-confirm unlock, it may decrease the security of your device.

You can set up Auto-confirm unlock in Security settings.

1. On your phone, go to Settings.
2. Tap Security  Screen lock.
   • If you don’t find “Security,”: To get help, go to your phone manufacturer’s support site.
3. Turn Auto-confirm on or off.

Disable screen lock

Important:  Disabling screen lock gives no protection for your device. 

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Security.
   • If you don’t find “Security,”: To get help, go to your phone manufacturer’s support site.
3. If you’ve already set a lock, you’ll need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
4. To remove your current screen lock method, tap None.

Related resources

• Create a screen lock
• Set up a fingerprint, PIN, pattern, or password