Not all that long ago Google introduced Android Device Manager, a handy online tool that can be used to locate or remotely wipe your lost or stolen Android phone. These were both useful options, but if you thought that you might be able to retrieve you phone, erasing all of its data might seem a little drastic.
A newly added feature now makes it possible to add a password to your phone remotely. Many people opt to PIN or password protect their phone ahead of time, but if you’re someone who just hasn’t got round to it, you’re now able to remotely protect your phone after it is lost or stolen.
We’ve already looked at how you can get Android Device Manager set up ready for use and you’ll need to do this first. Once you have carried out the preparatory steps of get the service up and running, you can take advantage of its features whenever the need arises.
Should your phone go missing, fire up your browser and pay a visit to the Android Device Manager website. If you have more than one Android device you will need to use the drop down menu to select the one you need to protect.
In addition to the previously available Ring and Erase options, you’ll now also see a link labelled Lock.
Hit the Lock button and you’ll be prompted to enter and confirm the password you’d like to use to secure your phone.
The password will be sent out immediately, but it can only be activated on your phone when it has signal. If you phone does not have signal when the password is sent out, it will be activated when it next has signal.
Your phone can now only be accessed by entering the newly created password. The lock screen will ask for a password as soon as the power button is pressed.
When you get your phone back, you may decide that you like to revert to using no password, or changing the one you put in place. Open up Settings and go to the Security section and tap Screen lock.
Enter your password and tap Next before choosing the type of protection you’d like to use.
That’ll all there is to it. It’s good to know that even if you don’t want to use a password most of the time, you can add one when you need to.
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