Norton App Lock

Norton App Lock for Android is a discontinued mobile security application that lets you lock certain apps with a PIN of your choosing. It protects your private messages, media and banking apps without locking your phone as a whole.

What This Free App Locker Actually Does

The app was simple: choose the apps you want password-protecting, set a simple passcode, and it will show a PIN screen if anyone tries to open the desired apps. You can imagine it as a bouncer for your fundamental apps: if you let someone else borrow your phone to make a call, your gallery will still be locked. Norton App Lock gave parents complete control over which apps their kids could use. So if you jumped on your spouse’s phone, for instance, you could ensure they wouldn’t accidentally access payment apps.

Norton is a name that has long been a household name. Regardless, it set out to create an easy-to-access and lightweight suite. It also worked offline. There are no ads or in-app purchases. To set up, we had to select which apps to protect from a customizable list, input our four-digit code, and we were done. With hassle-free menus and no excessive permissions, it was a data privacy tool which just did one job.

The Critical Drawback You Can’t Ignore

You know this: Norton officially discontinued this app as of June 11, 2024, meaning it will not receive any security updates, bug fixes or support. That’s a big problem for an application centered on parental control and security. As new versions and security updates are introduced in Android, Norton App Lock may not get any response or patch and could become exploitable.

Even before it was discontinued, the app never really offered features that modern app lock solutions had.

– There is no fingerprint scanner or facial recognition.
– Does not have cloud back-up to restore settings across devices.
– If you use more than one phone or tablet, it won’t work.
– The PINs are only four-digit and not more complex passwords.

user feedback from its years of operation has pointed at these shortfalls. Other applications continued to receive updates and features like intruder photo capture or fake crash screens.

What It Means for Your Security Today

The reality? Norton App Lock worked as advertised when it still received support. It’s a solid app-specific passcode locker that does not have ads or paywalls. Using a discontinued security application is like using a lock for which no replacement parts are available. Perhaps it works today, but you are betting on tomorrow. Many other alternatives are being offered now which are continuously maintained, offer biometric options and integrate better with Android security features on a search for App lock for Android now.

Searching for Norton security apps and this app does not catch our eye as noticeably. If you’re still using it, don’t! You risk future compatibility with newer versions of Android. And you won’t get any more security patches. While it was great that you could listen offline and there were no ads, it still has a major flaw: if there is no support, there is no safety net. If you are serious about securing your data, you may want to check out actively supported free app locker options that offer modern features and continual development.