| Price | Free |
| Version | v3.2.8 |
| Category | Tools |
| Developer | IVYMOBILE |
| Source | iOS, Android |
| Rating | (4.4) |
Security is a hot topic, and the celebrity photo hacking scandal is just the latest in a long line of incidents. You may think your phone is secure because you’ve locked the screen, but have you considered locking your settings or even specific apps? That’s exactly what AppLock does.
When you open AppLock, the app immediately prompts you to enter a password with a maximum size of 16 characters. In addition, it is possible to replace this password with an unlock pattern. You can block both system apps (e.g. text messages and incoming calls) and third-party apps (Facebook and WhatsApp), to name just two cases. This also applies to your settings: you can prevent a stranger from installing or uninstalling apps. However, in my case only the uninstall part worked. But this problem is solvable, since the app also allows you to block access to Google Play. If you want to add another level of security, you can create a cover. This is a fake screen that informs you that the app has stopped working, or shows you a fingerprint identifier. But in both cases the process to unlock these two screens is the same. The widget for Android is very useful, because it allows you to disable all locked apps at once by entering your pattern or password. AppLock not only locks apps, but also lets you store your photos and videos in a password-protected “Vault”, which helps you keep your data away from prying eyes. Some functions, such as hiding the AppLock icon, are only available in the premium version. It should also be noted that this app does not lock screens or SIM cards, but only applications.
AppLock is easy and simple to use: if you want to lock/unlock an app, just tap on it in the AppLock main screen. During our test the apps always locked correctly and never failed to ask for our password. The cover screen, which informs you that the app has stopped working, even fooled me - I forgot that I had activated it and actually thought the app had crashed! However, it might be excessive to have to go through two levels of security every time you want to use apps like WhatsApp or Facebook; a password will suffice if the standard lock screen is enabled. AppLock is perfect for banking apps, or for writing apps where you store important information. If you forget your password, AppLock can send you a code to your email. But this feature did not work in my case. I never received an email, which seems to us a very important error if we consider that we can’t even uninstall the app without typing our password.
AppLock is an excellent option if you want to increase the security of your mobile. While you shouldn’t use it as a lock screen replacement, it’s great for protecting sensitive information stored in an app, as well as preventing your friends from accessing your photos or your (somewhat silly) Facebook comments without your permission. The app is efficient and reliable, and gives you extra peace of mind, ensuring that your private data remains private.
