App blocks the child's cell phone at a predefined time; see how to use | Access control

AppLock is an Android application that can control children's cell phone use. The tool offers the creation of profiles to define schedules so that certain apps, games and smartphone features are used only with a password. The application can be useful for parents to schedule breaks at games or videos on YouTube, for example. Learn how to configure AppLock with the tutorial below.

AppLock: control the use of mobile phones by children and teenagers with the application Photo: Thssius Veloso / dnetcAppLock: control the use of mobile phones by children and teenagers with the application Photo: Thssius Veloso / dnetc

AppLock: control the use of mobile phones by children and teenagers with the application Photo: Thssius Veloso / dnetc

Google Family Link: How to monitor app usage on your child's phone

Step 1. Download and install the AppLock on the child's phone. On first access, set a secret security pattern to lock the application later, it will also be possible to define a numeric code. Then the app will add the child's email automatically as a means of password recovery. Delete the information and enter your own e-mail address.

Set a standard and enter your email Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesSet a standard and enter your email Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Set a standard and enter your email Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 2. When opening the app, tap on the profile add menu to get a list of apps and features to block. The AppLock makes it impossible, by default, to access cell phone settings, but it is important to limit Google Play, too, to prevent downloading new applications without parental permission.

Create a new profile and activate the Google Play lock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesCreate a new profile and activate the Google Play lock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Create a new profile and activate the Google Play lock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 3. Scroll down the page to find the list of apps installed on the phone. Activate the lock beside the apps you want to keep locked in the parental control profile. At the end, determine a name for the profile, such as School time, and tap "Save".

Enable blocking for other apps, set a name for the profile and save Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesEnable blocking for other apps, set a name for the profile and save Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Enable blocking for other apps, set a name for the profile and save Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 4. It is possible to create multiple lock profiles and leave them active at different times throughout the week. The function allows, for example, to create a bedtime profile to disable all functions of the cell phone at night. To do this, touch the padlock at the bottom of the profiling screen and give Ok on the prompt to block everything.

Create a profile with lock to all cell phone resources Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesCreate a profile with lock to all cell phone resources Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Create a profile with lock to all cell phone resources Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 1. With the profiles already created, program the times in which they will be activated. Touch the clock icon in the main AppLock menu and use the "+" button to add a new time.

Create a new lock time on AppLock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesCreate a new lock time on AppLock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Create a new lock time on AppLock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 2. Tap Unblock all to choose a profile to be triggered and select one that was created previously.

Choose a profile already created Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesChoose a profile already created Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Choose a profile already created Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 3. Set dates and time to start blocking activation. Then add a new item to the list to mark the end of the block. Leave the second setting set to Unlock all.

Indicate the beginning and end of the block Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesIndicate the beginning and end of the block Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Indicate the beginning and end of the block Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 4. Add other profiles, if necessary, taking care not to program for a conflicting time. In the example, we set up a milder blocking time in the child's class time, and a more restrictive second period of prohibition during the night.

Activate other lock profiles and set the times Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesActivate other lock profiles and set the times Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Activate other lock profiles and set the times Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

AppLock will work alone to carry out the programmed locks, which can only be reversed with the administrator password.

Creating a numeric password

Step 1. AppLock works with drawing lock, but it is possible to create a numeric password in the Protect menu. Then tap Unlock settings.

Access the AppLock unlock settings Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesAccess the AppLock unlock settings Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Access the AppLock unlock settings Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 2. Touch Password and set a sequence of numbers to unlock the AppLock.

Create a numeric password to unlock the AppLock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesCreate a numeric password to unlock the AppLock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Create a numeric password to unlock the AppLock Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

The AppLock has an uninstallation lock system that prevents the child from removing the app to cancel the lock. However, the feature is not enabled by default. Follow the step by step to enable.

Step 1. In the Protect tab of the application, tap Advanced protection to be redirected to a secondary AppLock app on Google Play. Download and install on the device.

Download the AppLock secondary app Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesDownload the AppLock secondary app Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Download the AppLock secondary app Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 2. Back in the AppLock, grant administration permissions to the newly downloaded app so that it is prevented from being uninstalled.

Turn the secondary app into a device administrator Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesTurn the secondary app into a device administrator Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Turn the secondary app into a device administrator Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Step 3. Then, do the same for the primary AppLock application. From there, when trying to remove the program, the cell phone will issue an alert preventing the uninstallation. It will only be possible to delete the app when canceling the Advanced Protection in the settings and with the unlock password in hand.

Turn the primary app into an admin also to prevent uninstallation without a password Photo: Reproduo / Paulo AlvesTurn the primary app into an admin also to prevent uninstallation without a password Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves

Turn the primary app into an admin also to prevent uninstallation without a password Photo: Reproduo / Paulo Alves