Hackers, malware, thieves, today's Android users are facing more threats than ever before. As such, your device'due south security has never been more important. Hither are some of the best practices for securing your phone, along with a few helpful tips that could make your life easier.

Enable Remote Tracking, Locking, and Wiping

The prospect of losing our smartphones, or having them stolen, fills us with dread. For those that don't lock their devices (something we'll get to later), it brings the gamble of someone accessing their accounts for nefarious purposes. All of which are good reasons why you lot should employ Google's 'Notice My Device' app, which until recently was called Android Device Manager.

Once information technology's prepare, you lot'll be able to locate your handset (providing it'southward turned on and has a wireless signal) and ring, lock, or wipe the phone. It'southward a characteristic you'll exist grateful for if the worst ever happens.

Keep Everything Up to Date

Information technology may sound obvious, merely yous'd be surprised at how many people don't keep their Android operating system and apps up to date. Doing so means Google can patch newly discovered vulnerabilities in the Os, while devs can remove bugs and secure their applications.

In the Play Store, go to Settings > Automobile-update apps and choose to either update whatever fourth dimension or Wi-Fi merely. To keep Android upwards to engagement, search for Software Update in the Settings menu (its location tin vary depending on the phone) and make sure automatic downloads are switched on.

Be Careful If Downloading Apps from Outside of Google's Store

While there are trustworthy third-party websites and app stores outside of Google's, such equally Amazon'southward app store, there are those places where downloading software comes with a massive risk. Google works hard to end malware-loaded apps from appearing in its store, which is why the 'Allow unknown sources' pick that blocks downloads from elsewhere is disabled by default. Unless y'all know what you're doing, you may want to avoid sideloading.

Use a Screen Lock

Probably the nearly basic notwithstanding important security characteristic is one that ofttimes gets ignored. Typing in a Pin code or pattern every fourth dimension y'all want to use your phone tin exist annoying, true, but the hassle is worth it should the device ever be stolen or lost. Plus, a huge number of handsets at present come with like shooting fish in a barrel-to-set-up fingerprint scanners, so there'south no excuse non to use the feature.

Go to Settings> Lock Screen and Security > Screen Lock Type to set up up the organisation you desire to use. It's also advisable to activate the 'lock automatically' characteristic, which locks the screen 5 seconds after it turns off automatically.

Take Reward of Smart Lock

Smart Lock is possibly one of the most useful nonetheless underutilized Android features. Information technology offers a number of ways to keep a device unlocked, or automatically unlock information technology without having to use a fingerprint/PIN/design. How to access it varies depending on your Android version, just in the latest OS version Nougat, it's under Lock Screen and Security > Secure Lock Settings.

At that place are five unlocks method on offer of which we'd recommend you to skip Trusted Voice and Trusted Face, these three are relatively proven to make your life easier, while still having your phone secured most of the time.

On-torso detection

When you're out and well-nigh, it's helpful for your handset to stay unlocked while it'due south on your person. This means when you pull the device out of your pocket/purse, or fifty-fifty if you lot're carrying it effectually in your hand, information technology will be instantly attainable. The system uses the phone's accelerometer, then it'due south non available on every Android device. Once a handset detects information technology has been set downwards, information technology volition lock.

Trusted Places

Assuming yous live/piece of work with people you trust, or alone, so you might want to consider Smart Lock's Trusted Places feature. As the name suggests, it allows owners to designate locations where a handset will remain unlocked while information technology's in the relatively close vicinity. It works best with a Wi-Fi connection, and Google recommends that high-accuracy or battery-saving location mode is turned on. Trusted Places works on estimates, meaning a device could remain unlocked within a radius of up to fourscore meters from a set position.

Trusted Devices

Similar to Trusted Places, this keeps your Android device unlocked whenever information technology is almost a chosen device. It's nearly useful when pairing a handset with Bluetooth watches, Fitness trackers, and car infotainment systems. I utilise it and then my motorcar's ready to play Spotify from my phone as before long every bit I climb in. Ever make certain you're using a trusted Bluetooth device, though your telephone volition notify you if information technology can't determine that y'all're using a secure connectedness.

Activate Invitee Mode

(From our previous tip on little known useful Android features) A less restrictive option for when y'all need to share your device is enabling Android's native guest business relationship. The guest profile tin can do well-nigh of the same things as the device'due south owner, just the apps on the device won't be continued to your business relationship, keeping files and messages safe from prying eyes.

Manage App Permissions

Android may be a tad abrasive near asking for your default app the first time yous open up a new type of file and app permissions the commencement time a sure app wants access to something stored in your phone, only once yous're set upwardly, information technology's a blessing when you retrieve about the privacy implications.

For example, Instagram will inquire access to the camera, Whatsapp will want to meet your contacts, or Waze will ask for location services, however for other less essential functions, you lot go control virtually what yous want permission to. For example, with very few exceptions I never let games to access my contacts or other personal data.

Likewise, you may have missed that the Play Store gives extra data about app permissions, which may come handy before you even install a certain app.

Other Ways to Protect

Enabling two-gene hallmark and leveraging Google Authenticator is e'er a good idea for important accounts. Non connecting to unknown Wi-Fi networks is to say the least a expert practice. And lastly, though we're not large fans of antivirus suites on phones, simply you should know there are plenty of paid-for and free options from big industry names like Norton, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Avast, along with some splendid lesser-known products such as AVL and, my personal favorite, Sophos.

5 days, 5 killer tech tips is a TechSpot monthly feature

On the third week of every month, nosotros'll publish 5 killer tech tips, one for each day of the week for a given app, service, or platform. This month nosotros're covering Android.

  • 24-hour interval 1: Useful or Footling Known Android Tricks + Easter Egg Games
  • 24-hour interval 2: How to Reboot and Reset Android Devices
  • Day 3: How to Secure Your Android Phone and Become the Near Out of Smart Lock
  • Mean solar day 4: Android Performance Tips and Tweaks
  • Day 5: How to Merge and Remove Duplicate Contacts in Android