Securing Your Android Device
There are many versions of Google鈥檚 Android OS, and every device manufacturer implements Android slightly differently. In general, most versions of Android 4.0 and above support device encryption, and most versions prior to that do not.
ENCRYPT YOUR DEVICE ANDROID 5.0 AND UP
- Open your device鈥檚 Settings app
- Under 鈥淧ersonal,鈥� tap Security
- Tap Screen lock
- To choose your screen lock, tap Pattern, PIN, or Password
- You鈥檒l be asked to 鈥渇urther protect this device鈥� by requiring your PIN, pattern, or password when your device starts. The first time that you choose this setting, it will encrypt your device.
- Select Require to start device
- Tap Continue
- Set your PIN, pattern, or password. Tap Continue
- Confirm your PIN, pattern or password and tap Ok.
You can choose whether to when your device starts. If you use an accessibility service like TalkBack, or a Bluetooth-paired accessibility device, keep in mind that you鈥檇 need to enter your information at start-up without help from your service or device.
ENCRYPT YOUR DEVICE ANDROID 4.4 AND LOWER
- If you haven鈥檛 already,
- Open your device鈥檚 Settings app
- Under 鈥淧ersonal,鈥� tap Security
- Under 鈥淓ncryption,鈥� tap Encrypt phone or Encrypt tablet (if your battery isn鈥檛 charged or your device isn鈥檛 plugged in, you won鈥檛 be able to tap this option)
- Carefully read the information shown. It鈥檚 important to know:
- After encrypting, you can turn off encryption only by factory data reset, which erases all your data
- If you use an accessibility service like TalkBack, or a Bluetooth-paired accessibility device, you鈥檒l always need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password at start-up without the help of your service or device
- If you change your mind about encrypting your device, you can tap Back
- Tap Encrypt phone or Encrypt tablet.
- Enter your lock screen PIN, pattern, or password. Tap Continue.
- Tap Encrypt phone or Encrypt tablet
After encrypting, you鈥檒l always need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password when your device starts.