Modern smartphones store a huge amount of confidential information: from banking data to personal correspondence. There is often a situation where you need to give the device to another person to make a call, view a photo, or use a specific app, but you don't want them to have access to everything else on the system. In such cases, the application fixingfunction, also known as window locking or Pinning mode, comes to the rescue. This feature allows you to “lock” the user within one task, preventing him from minimizing it or going to the settings menu without your knowledge.
The mechanism of operation of this function is intuitive, but its implementation may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system and the manufacturer's shell. Essentially, you put the device into a special mode where navigation buttons or gestures stop working in the usual sense. Exit from this state is possible only after performing a certain combination of actions, which requires confirmation with a password, PIN code or fingerprint of the owner. This makes the method extremely effective for temporarily transferring a gadget to children, colleagues or friends.
In this guide, we will look in detail at how to activate and use this function on various devices. We will look at the nuances of the interface for clean Android and popular shells like One UI or MIUI. We will also pay attention to security issues and possible pitfalls that you should know about before activating the locking mode.
What is application locking mode and why do you need it?
Lock mode, or Pinning, is a security tool built directly into the operating system kernel Android. Its main purpose is to isolate the currently active window from the rest of the system. When the feature is enabled, the user cannot use the navigation bar to switch between tasks, return to the Home screen, or open the notification panel. In fact, the smartphone turns into a mono device, running only one selected app.
This solution is ideal for scenarios where strict access control is required. For example, if you give the phone to a child so that he can watch cartoons on YouTube, fixing will prevent him from accidentally (or intentionally) deleting the application, buying something in a store, or accessing your social networks. A similar situation arises when handing over the phone to a cashier for payment or to a friend to view a card - you ensure that they do not “get lost” in the file system.
It is important to understand the difference between this mode and the usual hiding of icons. Fixing works at the task manager level, not the launcher. Even if a person knows how to bring up the menu of all applications, the system simply will not respond to an attempt to minimize it. The only legal way to exit this mode is to execute a special unlock command, which requires authentication of the device owner.
⚠️ Attention: On some older versions of Android or custom firmware, the function may be called “Window Lock” or “Screen Pin”. If you do not find the setting in the standard path, try searching inside the settings menu using the keywords “pin” or “pin”.
Activation of the function on pure Android and Google Pixel smartphones
In the reference version of the operating system from Google the process of enabling this option is as standardized and simple as possible. However, this feature is often disabled by default for security purposes to prevent users from accidentally locking themselves out of apps. To get started, you need to go to the system settings and find the section responsible for the security of the device.
The path to setting usually looks like this: open Settings, then go to the section Security or Biometrics and security. In this menu you should look for an item with the name Advanced settings or immediately Lock in window. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version Android, but the logic remains the same: you need to find the switch and activate it.
After turning on the slider, the system may request confirmation of the action, warning that to exit the mode you will need to enter a PIN code or pattern. This is a critical point: if you forget the screen unlock code, it will be extremely difficult to exit the pinned application, sometimes even requiring a reboot of the device with the loss of unsaved data in the current session.
- 🔍 Open the settings and search for the word “pin” if you cannot find the section manually.
- 🔒 Make sure that your device has a reliable screen lock method (PIN, password or fingerprint).
- 📱 Check whether the “Require password to unpin” option is activated for maximum protection.
It is worth noting that on devices Google Pixel this function is integrated especially deeply and works the most stable. The system algorithms quickly respond to attempts to bypass the blocking through gestures or volume buttons. If you have just such a smartphone, you can be sure of the reliability of protection when transferring the gadget to third parties.
Before giving the phone to someone in pinned mode, close all unnecessary tabs in the browser and clear the clipboard to avoid leaking previously copied passwords or card numbers.
Setting up pinning on Samsung Galaxy and One shell UI
The Company Samsung implements many system functions through its proprietary shell One UIwhich has its own menu logic. Here, the application fixing function is also present, but the path to it may differ from the stock one Android. Users of smartphones series Galaxy S, A or Note should be careful when searching for the corresponding section.
To activate, you must go to Settings, then select item Biometrics and security. Inside this section, you need to scroll the list down to the item Other security settings. This is where the switch is hidden Window pinning. In some firmware versions, this item may be located directly in the “Security” section without additional submenus.
A feature of the implementation from Samsung is the ability to fine-tune the behavior of the navigation buttons in lock mode. You can choose whether the exit button combination will work immediately or require additional confirmation. This adds flexibility, but also requires more care from the user during initial setup.
| Smartphone model | One UI version | Path to setup | Output features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S21/S22 | One UI 4.0/5.0 | Security -> Others parameters | Back buttons + Recent |
| Galaxy A52/A53 | One UI 3.1 | Biometrics -> Pinning | Password only |
| Galaxy Z Fold/Flip | One UI 5.0+ | Advanced functions | Gestures + Power button |
| Galaxy S10/S20 | One UI 2.5 | Lock screen and security | Standard combination |
Owners of folding device series Z Fold should pay attention to the behavior of the function when changing the form factor. When folding or unfolding your smartphone, a pinned app may behave differently depending on your multitasking settings. It is recommended to test the operation of the mode in both positions before use.
☑️ Preparing Samsung for transfer
Instructions for Xiaomi, Redmi and MIUI/HyperOS shell
Ecosystem users Xiaomi often face the fact that the interface MIUI (and new HyperOS) has been heavily redesigned. The application blocking feature is present here, but sometimes it is hidden in unobvious places or requires additional options to be included in the developer menu. In the latest firmware versions, the company's engineers have simplified access to this tool.
The standard path in current versions MIUI looks like this: Settings -> Passwords and security -> Privacy -> Application lock (or “Pinning”). If you don't find this option, try using the search bar at the top of the settings menu and searching for "pin." The system should highlight the desired section.
An important feature of the Redmi i Poco devices is the presence of an aggressive memory cleaning system. Sometimes, when you try to pin an application, the system may automatically terminate it if it determines that it is consuming too many resources. In such cases, it is recommended to add the desired application to the startup exclusion list or block it in the recent tasks menu before activating pinning.
It is also worth mentioning second spaces. If you have a second space set up on your device (guest mode or a separate profile), the pinning feature will work independently in each of them. This allows you to create the most isolated environment for children, where they will not even be able to guess about the existence of the owner’s main profile.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions, on devices Xiaomi with global firmware, the function may be limited due to local legal regulations. If the option is missing, check the device region in the settings or update the software to the latest available version.
What to do if the function does not turn on on Xiaomi?
If the switch is inactive, check if the “Simple Mode” mode (for older people) is enabled. In this mode, many security functions are disabled. Also make sure that the application has all the necessary permissions to work in the background.
How to pin and unpin an application: step-by-step algorithm
Once the function is activated in the settings, the locking process itself takes a matter of seconds, but requires knowledge of specific gestures or button combinations. The algorithm of actions is the same for most devices, although the physical buttons may differ in location. First you need to open the application that you plan to fix on the screen.
Next you need to go to the recent applications menu (overview of open tasks). This is done either by swiping up from the bottom and holding your finger (when controlling gestures), or by pressing the square navigation button. In this list, find the card of the desired application. An icon in the form of a pin or a lock icon will appear above or below the card, as well as when you long press it.
Click on this icon. The screen will instantly change and a message will appear indicating that the app is pinned. From this moment on, any attempts to exit it will be blocked by the system. To return the device to normal operation, you must execute the unlock command. On most modern smartphones without physical buttons, this is pressing the "Back" and "Recent Apps" buttons simultaneously (or swiping up and holding on both sides, depending on the model).
- 📌 Open the application you want to pin.
- 📂 Go to the recent tasks menu (square or swipe).
- 🖇️ Click on the pin icon on the application card.
- 🔓 To exit, press the button combination and enter the screen unlock password.
If your smartphone has a physical Home button (as on older models Samsung or iPhone with Android emulation), the combination may differ. Most often this is holding down the Home and Back buttons. The system will definitely ask you to enter a pattern key, PIN code, or put your finger on the scanner before unlocking.
The combination of buttons to exit the lock mode is universal for the entire system, but can be changed in the advanced security settings on some models.
Solving problems and common errors when fixing
Despite the simplicity of the function, users sometimes encounter situations when pinning does not work or the application crashes immediately after blocking. One of the most common reasons is aggressive battery optimization. The system may perceive a blocked application as frozen and forcefully terminate its process, which leads to exiting pinning mode.
To avoid this, go to the battery settings and find the desired application. Set the operating mode to “No restrictions” or “Do not optimize”. This will let the system know that the app needs to run in the background constantly, even if it is fixed on the screen. Also check app permissions: lack of memory or network access may cause crashes.
Another issue occurs when using navigation gestures. On some shells, the combination of gestures to exit pinned mode conflicts with the system gestures of the application itself (for example, swipes in games or e-readers). In this case, it is recommended to temporarily switch to controlling three buttons in the screen settings.
⚠️ Attention: If you have pinned an application that requires constant access to the Internet (navigator, online video), make sure that mobile data or Wi-Fi does not turn off automatically when the screen is locked, since the screen may behave differently in pinning mode.
In rare cases, when the device completely freezes in lock mode and does not respond to button combinations, the only option is a forced reboot. Typically this is holding down the power button for 10-15 seconds. However, remember that all unsaved data in the pinned application will be lost.
Why does the pin icon disappear?
The icon may be missing if the feature is not enabled in the security settings, or if the application is a system widget that does not support multitasking. Try launching a regular application from the launcher.
Is it possible to pin several applications at once?
No, Pinning mode is designed to work with only one active window. Trying to open another application through system links inside a pinned app may either block you or take you out of protection mode. To multi-task, use split-screen mode if supported by your model, but this will not provide the same level of protection.
What happens if the battery dies while in lock mode?
If it is completely discharged and then turned on, the phone will boot into normal mode. However, if FRP lock is triggered, the system may require you to enter your Google account password or lock screen immediately after turning on before allowing you to use the device. This is a standard Android security measure.
Does pinning work in guest mode?
Yes, the function is available in guest mode, but it must first be configured by the device owner in the main profile. The guest will not be able to independently enable or disable this option, which makes it an excellent tool for controlling temporary access to a smartphone.
How to turn off the sound when pressing buttons in pinned mode?
System sounds depend on the general profile settings. If you want to hand over the phone in complete silence, turn on Do Not Disturb mode in advance or completely mute the media and system. In the lock mode itself, it is usually impossible to change the sound settings without exiting it.
Does locking an application affect battery consumption?
The lock function itself does not significantly increase energy consumption. However, if you pin a “heavy” application (game or navigator) and leave the screen on for a long time, the battery will be consumed faster due to the active operation of the display and processor, and not because of the pinning mode as such.