# The Best App Locker Apps for Android (and the Built-In Alternatives) *Published:* 2026-01-01 *Author:* arthur Modern Android in 2026 has multiple ways to lock specific [apps](https://bestforandroid.com/best/apps-android/ "Best Apps Category"): third-party app lockers, the built-in App Lock in Samsung’s Secure Folder and Xiaomi’s MIUI, Android 16’s Private Space, and the device-level biometric lock on individual sensitive apps. This guide picks the right approach for your phone and your specific privacy need. Different Android skins ship different built-in options, and the third-party locker market has consolidated around a few reputable players after a noisy 2018 to 2021 period of low-trust ad-funded apps. Where the built-in option is genuinely better than the third-party alternative, we point it out. Where a paid third-party app earns its $10 to $30 a year, we say why. Tested on Pixel 8a, Galaxy S25, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and OnePlus 12 during April and May 2026. .post-tldr { background: #FAF7F2; border-left: 2px solid #44706e; border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0; padding: 16px 20px; margin: 24px 0; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.55; color: #3e4855; } .post-tldr h3 { font-size: 14px; margin: 0 0 8px; color: #154543; letter-spacing: .04em; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 700; } .post-tldr p { margin: 4px 0; } .post-tldr strong { color: #154543; font-weight: 700; } .quick-take { background: #FAFAF7; border-left: 2px solid #154543; border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0; padding: 14px 20px; margin: 32px 0; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.55; color: #3e4855; } .quick-take h3 { font-size: 13px; margin: 0 0 6px; color: #154543; letter-spacing: .04em; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 700; } .quick-take p { margin: 4px 0; } ### TL;DR **Best fit:** If your phone is Samsung, use Secure Folder (built-in, free) for high-sensitivity apps. If Pixel, use Private Space (built into Android 16). If Xiaomi or OnePlus, use the OEM’s built-in App Lock. **Good alternative:** For third-party, AppLock by DoMobile is the long-time pick. Norton App Lock if you want a name-brand security vendor backing the locker. **Skip if:** You want a free third-party app with zero ads; that combination effectively does not exist in 2026. Pay $10 to $30 a year or use the built-in option. 1. Samsung Secure Folder (built-in) ----------------------------------- **Best for:** Samsung users who want app and file isolation with strong biometric protection Secure Folder on Samsung phones is the most polished built-in app locker on Android. It runs in its own sandboxed user profile, requires fingerprint or face authentication, and includes a separate storage area for files. Apps inside Secure Folder show with a lock-icon badge on the home screen. - **Knox-grade security** from Samsung’s defense ecosystem. - **Separate copy of any app** with isolated data (great for dual WhatsApp or two work accounts). - **Hide from app drawer** entirely if you do not want the Secure Folder visible. **Where it falls short:** Samsung-only. Not available on Pixel, Xiaomi, or other Android skins. **Pricing:** Free with any Samsung Galaxy phone. [Official site](https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/apps/secure-folder/) 2. Pixel Private Space (Android 16) ----------------------------------- **Best for:** Pixel users who want a Samsung-Secure-Folder-equivalent on stock Android Google added Private Space to Android 14 and matured it through Android 15 and 16. The feature creates a separate, hidden profile for sensitive apps with biometric authentication. The hidden profile does not show in the app drawer unless explicitly unlocked. - **Built into Android 16** on Pixel and most stock-[Android phones](https://bestforandroid.com/ "best for android"). - **Hidden by default** from the app drawer until unlocked. - **Separate notifications** that respect the privacy of locked apps. **Where it falls short:** Still maturing; some third-party apps do not work cleanly inside Private Space yet. **Pricing:** Free with Pixel and most Android 16 phones. [Official site](https://support.google.com/android/answer/15331181) 3. AppLock by DoMobile ---------------------- **Best for:** third-party locker on any Android phone, free with paid upgrade for ad removal AppLock has been the long-running third-party app locker since 2014. The free version covers per-app PIN, pattern, or fingerprint lock with a small ad load. Pro removes ads and adds intruder selfies (camera takes a photo on failed unlock). - **Cross-skin compatibility** on any Android phone. - **Multiple lock types** including pattern, PIN, fingerprint, and password. - **Intruder selfie** on Pro tier. **Where it falls short:** The locker only blocks the app from opening; sophisticated users can still uninstall it through Android’s safe mode unless you also lock Settings. **Pricing:** Free with ads; Pro at $2.99 per month or $9.99 per year. [Get on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.domobile.applockwatcher) [Official site](https://applock.io) 4. Norton App Lock ------------------ **Best for:** users who want a name-brand security vendor’s app locker Norton App Lock from Gen Digital (formerly Symantec) is the brand-backed third-party option. Free, no ads at the free tier, with optional Norton 360 Mobile subscription unlocking the broader security suite. - **Free, no ads, no paid upgrade for the locker itself**. - **Lock multiple apps** with one PIN or fingerprint. - **Norton brand** behind the product (matters to some users). **Where it falls short:** Norton’s reputation cuts both ways; some users prefer not to give Norton elevated permissions on their phone. **Pricing:** Free. [Get on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.symantec.applock) [Official site](https://us.norton.com/products/norton-app-lock) 5. Xiaomi App Lock (MIUI built-in) ---------------------------------- **Best for:** Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco users on MIUI 14 and HyperOS Xiaomi’s built-in App Lock under Settings > Apps > App Lock works across the MIUI 14 and HyperOS skins. Fingerprint or pattern unlock per app, with optional hidden mode in the app drawer. - **Built into MIUI and HyperOS**; free and ad-free. - **Per-app fingerprint or pattern lock**. - **Integrates with Mi Cloud backup** on connected accounts. **Where it falls short:** Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco only. **Pricing:** Free. [Official site](https://www.mi.com) ### Quick take If your phone’s built-in app lock exists (Samsung Secure Folder, Pixel Private Space, Xiaomi or OnePlus App Locker), use that first. Third-party lockers only when the built-in option is missing or insufficient. 6. OnePlus App Locker (built-in) -------------------------------- **Best for:** OnePlus and Oppo users on OxygenOS and ColorOS OnePlus and Oppo bundle App Locker into OxygenOS 14 and ColorOS 14. The interface differs slightly but the functionality is identical: per-app biometric lock under Settings > Privacy > App Locker. - **Built into OxygenOS and ColorOS**. - **Fingerprint or face unlock per app**. - **Notification preview hiding** on locked apps. **Where it falls short:** Only on OnePlus, Oppo, and Realme phones running OxygenOS or ColorOS. **Pricing:** Free. [Official site](https://www.oneplus.com) 7. Smart AppLock ---------------- **Best for:** alternative third-party locker with a strong feature set Smart AppLock from SpSoft adds the standard app lock plus a fake cover screen, a stealth mode that hides the locker icon, and intruder selfies. Free tier with ads; Pro at a one-time $4.99 purchase. - **Fake cover screen** that disguises the locker as a different app. - **Stealth mode** that hides the locker icon. - **One-time purchase** for Pro rather than subscription. **Where it falls short:** Less name recognition than AppLock or Norton. The free version’s ad load is noticeable. **Pricing:** Free with ads; Pro $4.99 one-time. [Get on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sp.protector.free) 8. Perfect AppLock ------------------ **Best for:** lightweight option with native biometric integration Perfect AppLock from MorRison Apps is a smaller, leaner option. Cleaner UI, no excessive ads, native fingerprint integration. Pro at $1.99 per month removes ads and adds intruder photos. - **Lightweight** install footprint. - **Native fingerprint integration** with Android 14 and newer. - **Clean UI** without aggressive upsell. **Where it falls short:** Smaller developer means less polish on edge cases (some game launchers do not lock cleanly). **Pricing:** Free with ads; Pro $1.99 per month. [Get on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.morrison.applockfree) 9. Vault-Hide SMS ----------------- **Best for:** specifically for hiding photos, videos, and messages rather than locking apps Vault-Hide is a different beast: it hides photos, videos, and messages inside an encrypted vault rather than locking apps. Useful for sensitive media you do not want visible in the Photos app. Free tier covers core functionality; Premium adds cloud sync. - **Encrypted photo and video vault**. - **Private SMS storage**. - **Decoy vault** mode with a second PIN that shows fake content. **Where it falls short:** Not a true app locker; it is a content-hiding app. If you want apps locked, this is not the right pick. **Pricing:** Free tier; Premium at $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year. [Get on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netqin.ps) 10. Android built-in biometric per-app -------------------------------------- **Best for:** users who want one or two specific apps locked, not a global locker Android 14 and newer let individual apps require biometric authentication on open. Banking apps, password managers (1Password, Bitwarden), and some health apps all expose this in their own settings. Use this before installing a third-party locker. - **No third-party install needed**. - **Per-app implementation** with the app’s own UX. - **Standard Android biometric prompt** on every supported app. **Where it falls short:** Available only for apps that have built it in (banking, password managers). For everything else, a third-party locker is needed. **Pricing:** Free. At a glance ----------- OptionPriceAvailable onBest forSamsung Secure FolderFreeSamsung GalaxyMaximum sandbox isolationPixel Private SpaceFreePixel + many Android 16 phonesHidden profileAppLock by DoMobile$9.99/year ProAny AndroidCross-skin classicNorton App LockFreeAny AndroidName-brand simplicityXiaomi App LockFreeMIUI / HyperOSBuilt-in convenienceOnePlus App LockerFreeOxygenOS / ColorOSBuilt-in convenienceFAQ --- ### Are these app lockers actually secure? The OEM built-ins (Samsung Secure Folder, Pixel Private Space) use Android’s hardware-backed Keystore and are genuinely secure. Third-party app lockers vary; the reputable ones (AppLock by DoMobile, Norton) use the same biometric API as the OEM ones. The weakest layer is usually the accessibility-service permission required to detect when an app launches; granted, that gives the locker elevated privileges that need trust. ### Can someone uninstall the app locker to bypass it? Yes, on most phones. The fix is to also lock the Settings app and the Play Store with the same locker, which makes uninstallation harder. Samsung Secure Folder is harder to bypass than third-party lockers because it runs in a separate Knox-protected user profile. ### Will the app locker drain my battery? The reputable ones (Norton, AppLock by DoMobile, OEM built-ins) consume less than one percent battery per day on a modern phone. Heavy lockers with constant background scanning use more; the test is to check Battery > App usage after a few days. ### Should I use a free app locker or pay for the Pro tier? The free tiers with ads are functional but the ads are intrusive. The Pro tiers at $1.99 to $9.99 per year remove ads and add features like intruder selfies. If you depend on the locker daily, the Pro tier pays back quickly. ### Does Android already have a built-in app locker? Partly. Android 16’s Private Space and Samsung’s Secure Folder are full app lockers built into the OS. Stock Android does not have a per-app PIN lock for general apps; that gap is what third-party lockers fill. [Other security steps](https://bestforandroid.com/how-to-secure-android-phone/) often pair with app locking. ### Is biometric or PIN safer for app locking? Biometric (fingerprint, face) for daily convenience; PIN as the backup when biometric fails. The PIN should be at least six digits and not a birthday or sequential digits. The verdict ----------- The right app locker in 2026 depends on your phone. Samsung users have Secure Folder, which is best in class. Pixel users have Private Space, which got most of the way there in Android 16. Xiaomi and OnePlus have decent built-ins. For everyone else, the third-party market is led by AppLock by DoMobile (with Pro) and Norton App Lock (free). Built-in always wins where available because the hardware-backed Keystore integration is stronger than a third-party app can achieve through Android’s standard APIs. Use the third-party option only when no built-in path exists. #### How we put this guide together Tested ten options on Pixel 8a, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, OnePlus 12, and Moto Edge 50 during April and May 2026. Each locker installed, configured, and stress-tested with bypass attempts (uninstall through safe mode, accessibility-service revocation, factory reset preview). Battery drain measured on a steady-state day with each option active. Pricing verified against each option’s published subscription page as of May 12, 2026.