The Xiaomi Mi A2 is the successor to the Mi A1 from last year. This means that it carries the Android One branding which in turns means it runs on a stock version of Android. So just like the Mi A1, the Mi A2 lacks plenty of features which are pretty common in Xiaomi’s Redmi devices running MIUI. One such feature is App lock which is missing from the Mi A2.
The lack of a native app locking feature means that one cannot lock apps using fingerprint or password/pattern on the Mi A2 right out of the box. Thankfully, with the help of a third-party application, this process is very easy. Follow the steps below to know how.
Mi A2: Lock Apps Using Fingerprint Scanner
Step 1: Download AppLock from Google Play on your Mi A2. Before launching the app and setting it up, make sure to register your fingerprint on the device.
Step 2: At first launch, you will need to enter your email ID along with an unlock pattern. This ID will be used to reset App Lock in case you forget the unlock pattern.
For additional security, it is recommended that you keep this pattern lock different from the pattern lock of your device.
Step 2: Once done, you will see two tabs here. First is the Privacy tab which lists all the applications available on the phone, and can be locked. You can also lock parts of settings, quick actions, and so on. As soon as you tap on any of the apps you want to lock, for the first time, you will get a prompt to grant App Lock Permit usage access.
Tap Permit followed by App Lock and toggle on ‘Permit Usage Access‘
Step 3: Press the back button to go back to the main menu of App Lock. Now, you can lock any app that you want by simply tapping on the lock icon near its name. At this point, if you try and open any locked application, App Lock will prompt you to enter the unlock pattern that you first created. To make the app use the fingerprint scanner for verification purposes, head over to the Protect tab and enable the Fingerprint lock option.
Now, whenever you open a locked application, you can either unlock it by simply verifying your fingerprint or by entering the unlock pattern. The fingerprints that you have registered for unlocking your device are the ones that will also work in App Lock.
Another App Lock setting that I will recommend one to change the brief exit time. Right now, every time you switch between the apps, you will have to unlock the app which is annoying. Under Protect > General change the Allow a brief exit to15 seconds. This will make sure you are not repeatedly prompted to unlock any locked app.
You will not be able to uninstall App Lock without entering the unlock pattern/password so make sure to never forget it. This additional step adds an extra layer of security which ensures that no one else can uninstall App Lock from your Mi A2 and access your locked apps.
