3: Lock and Unlock Your Device
You can use your device screen feature to prevent unauthorized access to your device-the device locks automatically after being idle for a specified period by default. Types of Screen Lock You can adopt different screen lock types to deny access to the unauthorized use of your phone. We'll look at each of them, including those offering no security. These include None, Swipe, Pattern, PIN, and Password. Securing Your Device with Screen Lock It would be best to use a secure screen lock type, for example, Pattern, PIN, or Password, to secure your device. This function is also necessary when setting up and enabling biometric security. Follow the steps below to secure your device with a screen lock:
- Swipe up from the Home screen, then find and tap Settings from your apps list, click Lock screen and AOD > Screen lock and biometrics and choose a secure screen lock type of your choice (e.g., Pattern, PIN, or Password).
- Pattern: A pattern for unlocking your device is created to allow access. To use this screen lock:
- Draw a pattern that connects at least four (4) dots, then click continue. - Draw the exact pattern again, and then click confirm. - PIN: A numeric PIN created to access your device when locked. To use it:
- Input a numeric PIN of 4 to 16 digits, then click continue. - Enter the same numeric PIN again and click Done. - Password: A combination of numbers and alphabet is created to access your device when locked. To use it:
- Input a password of 4 to 16 characters with at least one letter, then click continue. Click the Show password icon to view the password as it is being entered. - Enter the same password again and click OK. - Go to Settings > Lock screen and AOD, scroll down and click to enable Notifications to appear on the lock screen. Depending on how you want the notifications to display on the lock screen, the following options are available when you click on Notifications:
- Notification style: Choose how you want your notifications displayed on the Lock screen.
- Hide content: Notifications will not be displayed in the notification panel.
- Show content: Notifications will be shown in the notification panel. You can select the apps you want to display their content on your lock screen by tapping the Settings icon in the right corner.
- Show alerting notifications only: Silent Notifications will not be shown on the Lock screen.
- Click Done when finished.
- Configure other lock screen options to your desire.
- Extend Lock: Unlock your device automatically when it's in a trusted location or when other trusted devices are detected nearby. You'd need a secure screen lock type (Pattern, PIN, or Password) to use this feature.
- To add trusted places, go to Settings and click Lock screen and AOD > Extend Lock, then input your PIN, Pattern, or Password. Next, click Trusted places > Add trusted places and choose one or more locations you want your device to unlock automatically. - To add trusted devices, go to Settings and click lock screen and AOD > Extend Lock, then input your PIN, Pattern, or Password. Next, click Trusted devices > Add trusted devices and choose the devices that keep your phone unlocked when detected (e.g., Bluetooth watch, headphones, speakers, etc.). - Secure lock settings: You can customize various options in secure lock settings to your preference. You'd need a secure screen lock to use this function.
- Always On Display: You can view missed calls and message notifications, check time and date, and view other customized data without unlocking your phone using Always on Display (AOD). To enable this feature, click Settings and tap lock screen and AOD > Always On Display. Click to switch on this feature - it is off by default, and adjust the following options to your preference:
- Show Lock screen wallpaper: Select whether to display or hide the wallpaper on the Lock screen. - Erase background: Separate and show only the main subject of the wallpaper. - Show Now bar: Show a bar at the bottom of your screen displaying useful information. - When to show: Select when you want the clock and notifications to display on the screen when your device is idle. - Now bar: Personalize the card to display the content you want on the Lock screen.
- Touch and hold to edit: Enable this feature to edit items on the lock screen by touching and holding them.
- Roaming clock: While roaming, display the time for when you are at home and your current location.
- Contact information: Show information such as your email address or phone number on the Lock screen in case you misplace your device.
- Show unlock transition effect: Display a transition effect when unlocking your device with biometrics.
- About Lock screen: Update the software that controls the lock screen
Biometric Security Use biometric security to secure your device and log in to your accounts. It may be helpful to note that biometrics aren't foolproof because your device would always revert to Pattern, PIN, or Password to unlock whenever it fails. Thus, your device is only as secure as the Pattern, PIN, or Password you use since anyone trying to access your phone can skip right to these unlock methods. In summary, biometrics are there not for security but for convenience. Face Recognition You can make use of face recognition to unlock your device. To use your face to gain access to your device, you must set a secure screen lock (Pattern, PIN, or Password). Before enabling this feature, there are a few things to consider:
- Face Recognition is not as secure as Pattern, PIN, or Password. Someone could access your device by using something or someone that looks like your image.
- Some conditions can affect the effectiveness of this feature, including heavy make-up, wearing glasses, beards, or hats.
- To increase this feature's effectiveness, ensure the camera lens is clean and the environment is bright enough when registering your face.
To enable this feature:
- Go to Settings, click Security and privacy > Screen lock and biometrics, and then Face Recognition.
- Follow the pop-up instructions to register your face.
Managing Face Recognition
There are a bunch of things you can modify to customize how face recognition works. To do this, go to Settings, click Security and privacy > Screen lock and biometrics, and then Face Recognition. Here, the following options are available: - Remove face data: Erase existing face data.
- Add alternative appearance to enhance recognition: You can boost face recognition by adding alternative looks so that when next you're wearing sunglasses, your device won't pull up the 'I don't know you' stunt.
- Face unlock: Tap this icon to enable or disable face recognition....
