To pin an app on Android, follow these steps to enable and use the app pinning feature:
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Enable app pinning (if not already enabled):
- Go to your phone's Settings app.
- Search for "Pinning" or "Screen Pinning". (The exact wording may vary based on your Android version and device manufacturer).
- Enable the "Screen Pinning" or "App Pinning" option. You might also see an option to require a PIN, pattern, or password to unpin. Consider enabling this for added security.
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Open the app you want to pin. Navigate to the app you wish to keep locked on the screen.
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Open the app Overview/Recent Apps screen. This is usually done by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and holding (on newer Android versions) or by pressing the square button on older Android versions.
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Access the app's options from the Overview screen. Depending on your Android version, you will find a way to access options for the app. This often involves:
- Tapping the app's icon at the top of its card in the Overview screen. This will typically reveal a dropdown menu or a set of options.
- Long-pressing the app's card.
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Select "Pin" or "Pin this app" from the menu. This will lock the app to the screen. A confirmation message may appear explaining how to unpin.
To unpin the app:
Typically, you'll need to simultaneously swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold, or press the Back and Overview buttons at the same time. If you enabled the security option, you'll then need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
Example:
Imagine you want to let someone use your phone to watch a YouTube video, but you don't want them to access other apps. You would open the YouTube app, go to the Overview screen, select the "Pin" option, and hand them the phone. They would only be able to use YouTube until you unpin it.
