Although we want it, our mobile devices are not always as private as we would like. Sometimes it is difficult to prevent others, whether they are friends or family, from accessing our content or applications and for this there are applications for Android such as Protected Apps, that allows us block our apps so that only we can access them.
La privacy It's one of the strongest points when using mobile devices, but we don't always succeed. Even in our own environment, it's sometimes difficult to prevent our own friends or family from "investigating" our content or applications. And no, we're not talking about "spying" on anything, but simply lending our phone or tablet to make a call or search for something online. To prevent this from happening, we can use applications quite interesting, especially on Android.
This time we will talk about Protected Apps, an own development of some of the members of XDA and that mainly offers the possibility to block any application via password, PIN or pattern, something like what we can see on the lock screen of the operating system. When we talk about any application, it is both for those that we install such as WhatsApp, and those already present in the system, such as Settings or the Gallery. If you have a device Android 4.2 or higher, ProtectedApps helps us lock them for as long as we deem appropriate, as well as the time they should remain unlocked after entering the password. If we wish, we can even choose whether we want the apps to be displayed notifications of some apps for a certain period of time or, for example, never to be displayed.
How could it be otherwise, this app is actually a module for Xposed Framework, so obviously we need to be users root. Depending on the colors that accompany each of the apps that we can block, we will access one or other functions (mainly yellow is for system applications and blue for user applications).
If you are interested, you can find all the insights about ProtectedApps for Android in the corresponding forum of XDA. In addition, the application is available for download both through the Google Play Store and through the Xposed repository. As always, we advise you to visit our applications section to find the best developments for our devices.
Strengthen security with Google Play Protect
In addition to blocking apps with ProtectedApps, it is recommended to activate Google Play Protect to have one anti-malware layer that analyzes the device and your installations.
- Check apps from Google Play before downloading them.
- Analyze the device for potentially harmful apps from other sources.
- Avisa of dangerous behaviors and may disable or delete harmful apps.
- Issue privacy alerts if an app requests sensitive permissions or violates policies.
- In certain versions, it may reset permissions of unused apps to protect data.
Play Protect activation and key settings
- Open Google Play Store, tap your profile and enters Play Protect > Settings.
- Active Analyze apps with Play Protect to maintain periodic analysis.
- If you install apps outside of Play, activate Improve the detection of malicious apps to send unknown samples.
To verify certification from the device: Google Play Store > profile > Settings > Information and check the status of Play Protect. If the warning appears "Uncertified Device", touch Fix device problem and follow the instructions on the screen.
What happens when Play Protect detects risks
- you will receive one notification all with uninstall the suspicious app.
- Can disable temporarily the app until it is removed.
- In confirmed cases, it may delete it automatically.
To enhance privacy, Play Protect may reset permissions of inactive apps and show privacy alerts when an app has been removed from the store due to improper access to personal information.
Use ProtectedApps for local blocking and Play Protect as preventive defense It offers granular access control and reduces exposure to malware. If you're not rooting or using Xposed, Play Protect is still essential for keeping your device under control.
Closing out prying eyes and malware is easier when you combine good practice (updates, minimal permissions, and downloads only from trusted sources) with specialized tools like ProtectedApps and Play Protect. These settings will enhance your Android's privacy and resilience without sacrificing ease of use.