Google includes a variety of screen lock options in Android to help with unlocking a smartphone. After enabling some of the advanced unlocking features, one may be wondering how to make the phone more secure. However, there is a lockdown mode available in the settings menu which temporarily disables all of the advanced unlocking measures.
One of the great things about Android is how customizable it is. Some of this is by necessity since Android runs on such a wide variety of phones and tablets. Even some laptops and desktops have used Android as an operating system. To accommodate so many designs, Android must be very flexible and robust. For example, some device manufacturers rely solo on personal identification numbers (PIN), pattern, or password for unlocking, though most use fingerprint readers now and some even have face recognition.
Whichever advanced unlocking may be used, there could be circumstances when the user would want to prevent quick and easy unlocking of their smartphone. Google added a solution to Android called ‘Lockdown mode.’ Once enabled, notifications will be turned off, preventing any lock screen notifications even if they are switched on elsewhere. Fingerprint and face recognition will also be disabled as a way to unlock the device. This means the user’s biometric data can’t be used to unlock the phone against their will. Other types of smart unlocking such as by location, Bluetooth devices, or other advanced methods are also disabled. This leaves only one way of unlocking the phone, by entering the correct PIN code, password or pattern.
How To Enable Lockdown On Android
The location of Lockdown mode may vary from device to device and also depends on which version of Android is in use. Lockdown first became available with Android 9, also known as Android Pie, but has remained available in Settings ever since. The easiest way to locate the option is by using the search function in the Settings app. To get to Settings, the user can either open the app, or swipe down from the top to find the gear icon and tap it to open Settings. Typing ‘lockdown’ in the search box at the top of the screen, will reveal the appropriate control. Switching it on does not set the phone into Lockdown mode, though. It simply enables the Lockdown mode option.
To enter Lockdown mode the user can press and hold the power button until options appear. Normally, Emergency mode, power off, restart, and possibly other options are shown after holding the power button. When Lockdown mode is enabled, the option to activate lockdown will appear in the menu as well. Tapping it will immediately lock the phone, hide notifications and require the PIN, password or pattern to unlock again. Android's Lockdown mode is automatically switched off after the next unlocking and must be enabled via the power button menu in order to be used again.
Source: Google