Smartphones are now incorporating various biometric security features, such as fingerprints, faces, irises, and voices. This allows device owners to use their unique body parts to unlock their devices. ..
Smartphone users can unlock different features on their devices in order to customize their lifestyles. They can set up security options, such as a password manager, to protect their data. There are many unlock features available on smartphones, so take a look at all of them and see which ones are beneficial to you.
If you’re looking for a new phone that can handle the latest Android software, the Google Pixel is a great option. It has great features and is very affordable. However, if you’re looking for a phone that can handle iOS software, the iPhone is a better choice.
Many smartphone users leave no mode of security on their devices, by setting it to have no passcode of any kind, or by using the Swipe to Unlock setting. This method leaves no mode of protection for a smartphone and typically isn’t recommended. If a device is lost or stolen, other users will have direct access to your most sensitive information.
If you insist on leaving your device without a security feature set, consider having a password protected folder of some kind on your smartphone. You can keep your most important information and apps in that folder, while having easy access to your smartphone for more mundane tasks.
Settings, Lock Screen & Security, screen lock type.
If you want to use a password security option on your website or app, you can choose between a series of numbers, lowercase or capital letters, and characters. A password is considered a high security option, but it depends on the complexity of your password sequence.
To set this option for your smartphone, access Settings, Lock Screen & Security, and then Password. You will see a warning that explains if you forget your password, you will have to wipe your device and take it back to factory settings. This means you would lose all of your data if it is not backed up externally.
If you have a lock screen password, enter it here.
It is highly recommended that you not use your smartphone password for any other purpose as a passcode for any other device, service, website, or app.
Many smartphone users choose to use PIN codes because they are easy to remember. People often pick numbers that are important to them, making it less likely that they will forget the code. A PIN is considered a medium-high security option, but it depends on the length and complexity of your sequence. ..
If you don’t have a PIN set up on your device, I suggest you try to remember the four or six digits that are typically used to access your account. If you can’t remember them, you can use a code or pattern to get into your account.
To set this option for your smartphone, access Settings, Lock Screen & Security, and then PIN. To remember your PIN, input it once and select continue. Your device will return to the previous settings page to confirm your PIN.
On an iPhone, you can select whether you want a numerical PIN or an alphanumeric Password. On an Android device, the PIN and Password are two different security options.
The Pattern security option is popular among smartphone users because it is easy to remember and inputting the set pattern design can be fun. A Pattern is considered a medium security option because many users may choose a simple design, however it is easy to modify a common design to a more secure pattern.
To set this option for your smartphone, access Settings, Lock Screen & Security, and then Pattern. Similar to setting a Password, you will see a warning about what happens if you forget your Pattern. Input your Pattern once, select Continue, and then again to confirm. Your device will return to the previous settings page to confirm.
The Fingerprint security option can be used to unlock your device and to authenticate features, such as payment systems. You can use a set fingerprint to authenticate payment on Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay on older iPhones.
Some devices have a fingerprint scanner within their home buttons, while others have the feature on their back panels. Several newer devices have fingerprint scanners embedded directly in their displays.
Your smartphone typically requires you to have a backup security option in place when setting up a fingerprint. You can select a Password, PIN, or Pattern as your backup.
The security level of this option is not clear, since functions such as spoofing fingerprints are possible, but not common. The fingerprint scanners on iPhones are considered more secure than those on Android devices, but the fingerprint scanner is now a rare option on Apple devices. ..
To set this option for your smartphone, access Settings, Lock Screen & Security, and then Fingerprint Scanner. To record your fingerprint, follow the device’s directions for doing so.
You will need to place your finger on the scanner in several different positions to complete the fingerprint authentication process. Once the progress is 100 percent, select Done.
The Fingerprint Scanner settings page on your device will show how many fingerprints you have registered on your device, the apps and services available for fingerprint verification, and an option to disable or enable fingerprint unlock as your discretion.
The facial recognition security option can be used to unlock devices and as an authentication function. The security level of this option depends on the device.
Many Android devices allow users to set face verification for certain apps, but the feature is not considered safe enough for payment authentication. Newer iPhones have Face ID as their only biometric option for unlocking and secure authentication, including Apple Pay.
To set this option on your smartphone, access Settings, Lock Screen & Security, and then Face Recognition. Confirm your backup passcode and follow the device’s directions for recording your face. If you want to use facial recognition to secure your phone, first make sure you have enabled it in Settings under Lock Screen & Security. Next, enter your backup passcode to confirm it. Finally, follow the device’s instructions for recording your face. ..
To take a selfie, you’ll need to hold your phone at a slight angle and line up the camera with the viewfinder. ..
To enable face recognition on your device, you will need to first set up your Face Recognition settings page. This page allows you to manage your face data, set up app verification and disable or enable the function.
The Iris scanning security option can be used for both unlocking your device and as a form of secure authentication for payment systems such as Samsung Pay and Google Pay. However, it is not that common on smartphones. Many devices favor facial recognition over iris scanning.
To set this option on your smartphone, go to Settings, Lock Screen & Security, and then Iris Unlock. Confirm your backup passcode and follow the device’s directions for recording your irises. ..
On most smartphones, you will have to remove your glasses and contact lenses in order to use the viewfinder. Once complete, you will be prompted to enable the function. Select Turn On.
The Face Recognition settings page allows you to manage your face data, set up app verification and disable or enable the function.
The Voice detection security option is a lesser-known feature that’s more for convenience than security. You can set up Voice Match so that the Google Assistant on your smartphone will only respond to your voice, which then allows you to set up Unlock with Voice Match to wake and unlock your device by saying “Ok Google.” ..
To set this option for your smartphone, access Settings, Lock Screen & Security, and then Smart Lock. Confirm your backup passcode and then select Voice Match. Select Access with Voice Match to record your voice for user with Google Assistant.
After agreeing to the terms of service, users will be directed to a page that details how to unlock their device with Voice Match. After a few unsuccessful attempts, users may need to input their backup passcode in order to access their device.
If you say “Ok Google,” your device’s resting screen will turn on and go directly to Google Assistant, waiting for further instruction. Many users may not find this function useful unless they are avid users of Google Assistant. ..
To use the biometric features on your smartphone, you must set a backup passcode. If your smartphone has been restarted, you may be able to use the biometric features without a passcode.
The Smart Lock option that enables voice detection has other functions that allow your device to remain unlocked in designated safe spaces. With Smart Lock, you can set your smartphone to remain unlocked while on your person, when connected to Wi-Fi in trusted locations, or when in a location with another trusted device connected to the same Wi-Fi.
If you have a Samsung device, you can register it with the manufacturer’s online service to help you find it if it goes missing or is stolen. You’ll need to create a username and password (like the Samsung “Find My Mobile” option), which you can use to log in and make changes to your device remotely. ..
If you ever lose your phone, you can connect your Google account to it so you can easily see where it is and get back into your apps and data. ..
Backup your smartphone so that you have all of your data in the event that you have to reset your device due to not knowing the passcode.
