How do I set up App Locking on an Android™?

The Covenant Eyes Android™ app’s App Locking feature lets you block and lock apps so the member can’t open or use them.

Enable App Locking

1. Open the Covenant Eyes Android™ app.
   
   
2. Tap “Settings.”
   
3. Tap “App Locking.”
   
4. Choose and type in a 4-digit passcode. This code will protect the App Locking settings from the device user. On the next screen, type the code in again to confirm.
   
5. To lock an app, move the app’s toggle switch to the right (the toggle switch will turn blue for locked apps). Once you’ve locked the desired app, tap the arrow in the top left-hand corner, and your settings will automatically save.
   
   

Automatically Lock Newly Installed Apps by Default

The Lock newly installed apps by default option in App Locking will automatically lock all new apps that the member downloads from the Google Play™ Store.

1. Open the Covenant Eyes Android™ app.
   
   
2. Tap “Settings.”
   
3. Tap “App Locking.”
   
4. Enter the 4-digit App Locking Passcode.
   
5. Check the box next to “Lock newly installed apps by default” to have all apps downloaded from the Google Play™ Store automatically locked. Once you’ve locked it, tap the arrow in the top left-hand corner, and your settings will automatically save.
   
   

Lock the Switch User Feature

The Covenant Eyes Android™ app allows you to change what Covenant Eyes username you sign in with via the Switch User option! Locking the Switch User option may be helpful if you don’t want the member to change their username.

1. Open the Covenant Eyes Android™ app.
   
   
2. Tap “Settings.”
   
3. Tap “App Locking.”
   
4. Enter the 4-digit App Locking Passcode.
   
5. Check the box next to the “Lock Switch User feature” to disable the member’s ability to switch usernames. Once you’ve locked it, tap the arrow in the top left-hand corner, and your settings will automatically save.
   
   

Lock the Settings app & the Google Play™ Store

In some cases, it is helpful to lock these two items for more robust accountability. If you lock the Settings app, it’s one more safeguard for accountability. If you lock the Google Play™ Store, the ally can limit what apps the device user can download.

1. Open the Covenant Eyes Android™ app.
   
   
2. Tap “Settings.”
   
3. Tap “App Locking.”
   
4. Enter the 4-digit App Locking Passcode.
   
5. Scroll down and find “Play Store” and “Settings.” Move both apps’ toggle switches to the right to lock them (the switches will turn blue).
   
   
6. Once you’ve locked both apps, tap the arrow in the top left-hand corner, and your settings will automatically save.
   

Lock the Google app

The Android device’s built-in Google search bar and the Podcasts app will also be locked if you lock the Google app. For this reason, some members may want to lock the Google app as an additional safeguard.

1. Open the Covenant Eyes Android™ app.
   
   
2. Tap “Settings.”
   
3. Tap “App Locking.”
   
4. Enter the 4-digit App Locking Passcode.
   
5. Scroll down until you find “Google.” To lock Google, move the app’s toggle switch to the right (it will turn blue).
   
   
6. Once you’ve locked Google, tap the arrow in the top left-hand corner, and your settings will automatically save.
   

Unlock an App for One Use

1. Tap on the app from the home screen.
   
   
2. Enter the 4-digit passcode you created when you enabled App Locking. The app will remain unlocked until the device is locked or the screen goes black.
   

Unlock an App Completely

1. Tap on the app from the home screen.
   
   
2. Enter the 4-digit passcode you created when you enabled App Locking and check the box next to "Stop locking this app." The app will remain unlocked until the device is locked or the screen goes black.
   

Reset the App Locking Passcode

Even if you know the current App Locking Passcode, you can’t change the passcode. The only way to change the App Locking Passcode is to disable App Locking and re-enable it with a new passcode.

Disable App Locking

1. Open the Covenant Eyes Android™ app.
   
   
2. Tap “Settings.”
   
3. Tap “App Locking.”
   
4. Enter the 4-digit App Locking Passcode.
   
5. Scroll all the way down and tap "Disable App Lock." We'll redirect you to our Settings menu, and you can close Covenant Eyes.