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

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

Turn On App Locking

1. Open the Victory Shield™ Android™ app.
    
2. Tap “Settings" and then tap "Options."
   
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. (From this point on, you will need to enter the code to access the app locking settings, so it's best to use a code you will remember.)
   
   
5. Great! You turned on App Locking, and you'll see this screen. Read the next section to learn how to lock an app.
   

Lock An App

1. 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, the app will move to the Locked apps list. Tap the arrow in the top left-hand corner to exit App Locking settings, and your changes 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. Go to App Locking settings in the Victory Shield™ app. (For help navigating to App Locking settings, refer to the first section of this article, Turn On App Locking Settings.) 
    
2. 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 Victory Shield™ Android™ app allows you to change which 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. Go to App Locking settings in the Victory Shield™ app. (For help navigating to App Locking settings, refer to the first section of this article, Turn On App Locking Settings.) 
    
2. Check the box next to the “Lock Switch User” 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. Go to App Locking settings in the Victory Shield™ app. (For help navigating to App Locking settings, refer to the first section of this article, Turn On App Locking Settings.) 
    
2. Scroll down and find “Play Store” and “Settings.” Move both apps’ toggle switches to the right to lock them (the switches will turn blue). Once you’ve locked both apps, they'll moved to the Locked apps list. 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. Go to App Locking settings in the Victory Shield™ app. (For help navigating to App Locking settings, refer to the first section of this article, Turn On App Locking Settings.) 
    
2. Scroll down until you find “Google.” To lock Google, move the app’s toggle switch to the right (it will turn blue). Once you’ve locked Google, it will move to the Locked apps list. 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.
   

Forgot the App Locking Passcode

If you forgot the App Locking Passcode, the only way to reset App Locking is to uninstall & re-install the Victory Shield™ app on the Android™. After re-installing Victory Shield™, you can enable App Locking with a new passcode.

Turn Off App Locking

1. Open the Victory Shield™ Android™ app.
    
2. Tap “Settings" and then tap "Options."
   
3. Tap “App Locking.”
   
4. Type in a 4-digit passcode.
   
5. Tap "Disable App Lock." We'll redirect you to our Settings menu, and you can close Victory Shield™.