If you've handed out Android phones for work, or you lot have a need to add a layer of privacy to your Android chat applications, at that place are plenty of ways you can accomplish this. Ane style is to install app lockers specifically for chat apps and other social networking tools. Two such apps I have institute are Chat App Lock and Messenger and Chat Lock. Each of these applications will help you lock down those apps and services yous practise not want just anybody to gain access to. The merely caveat? If users get the pass code, they'll get through the app. Even still, information technology'due south a quick (and free) style to prevent users from accessing the likes of:

  • Hangouts (Messenger and Conversation Lock/Conversation App Lock)
  • Messaging (Messenger and Chat Lock/Chat App Lock)
  • Facebook (Messenger and Chat Lock)
  • Gallery (Messenger and Chat Lock)
  • Gmail (Messenger and Chat Lock)
  • Google+ (Messenger and Conversation Lock)

Both apps also offering other features:

  • Preclude force cease (Chat App Lock)
  • Protect Settings (Messenger and Chat Lock)
  • Protect uninstallation from Google Account (Messenger and Chat Lock)
  • Allow appearance on status bar (Conversation App Lock)
  • Hide lock icon (Chat App Lock)
  • Random password panel (Chat App Lock)

Messenger and Chat Lock does take ads that appear at the bottom of the app and Conversation App Lock has a cleaner interface. With that said, let'south take a look at how to install and fix up these two apps.

Chat App Lock

The installation of both apps is the same, and then I'll merely demonstrate on this particular app. To install Chat App Lock, do the following:

  1. Open the Google Play Store on the Android device
  2. Search for Conversation App Lock
  3. Locate and tap the entry by Xtension-dev
  4. Tap Install
  5. Read the permissions listing
  6. If the permissions listing is acceptable, tap Accept
  7. Allow the installation to complete

You should now see an icon on the home screen or in the app drawer (or both). Tap that launcher to burn up the awarding.

Upon first usage, y'all'll have to prepare the password to exist used to gain access to the "forbidden" apps. Enter the four-digit numerical password (Effigy A) and confirm.

Figure A

Chat Lock running on a Verizon-branded LG G3.

When you've confirmed your countersign, y'all must set a security question and respond. Relieve that, and you'll find yourself on the Conversation App Lock chief window (Figure B).

Figure B

The Conversation App Lock main window.

Here yous tin can tap an app entry to switch protection on. In this same window, you can plough on uninstallation prevention and strength finish prevention (I highly recommend both).

You tin too switch from a countersign/Pivot to a pattern. To exercise that, tap the Chat Lock button in the elevation left corner, and then tap Lock Setting. In this new window (Figure C), yous tin change from the standard PIN to a pattern by tapping the Design unlock push, then drawing (and confirming) the design to exist used.

If you want to hide the Conversation App Lock icon, do the following:

  1. From the main window, tap the Chat Lock button in the upper left corner
  2. Tap Setting
  3. Tap to enable Hide lock icon

To become the lock icon back, yous're supposed to punch *#*#12345#*#* — however, I was unable to get that to work. I wound upwardly having to uninstall/reinstall the app (so hide the icon with caution, and only after you've set the app upwards the way you lot want it).

Messenger and Chat Lock

This app is very similar to the former. Once it's installed, yous'll have to ready your countersign and confirm. You practise not gear up up a security question in the initial run (this is done after the fact in the settings). After you've setup your password, you can and so protect the supported apps from the master window (Figure C).

Figure C

The Messenger and Chat Lock chief window.

Tap to lock each app down. A red lock icon volition appear when the app is locked (and the slider volition clearly say On). When that's complete, tap the menu button (three vertical dots in the upper right corner). In the settings window (Effigy D), you tin gear up upward the extra features (Foreclose Uninstallation, Protect Settings, etc.).

Figure D

Messenger and Chat Lock settings are ready to protect.

I recommend enabling the Prevent Uninstallation and Protect Settings. Otherwise, anyone could open the app and unset the locks.

If you're looking for a convenient method of locking down chat/messaging on your Android device, these two apps do a practiced job. Just make sure to not forget your password and to not give information technology out to anyone (thereby defeating the purpose of the app).

There are plenty of ways to secure your Android telephone. How practise you manage the task of securing your Android device? Share your experience in the discussion thread below.