If there is one thing that I noticed when I give my Android phone to others, like friends or relatives, is that more often than not they venture into other parts of the device like the gallery, call logs, etc. Though it’s just their curiosity, it can be a bit awkward when they see something you don’t want them to see. This is especially true for personal and financial stuff. To avoid these kinds of situations, you can enable guest mode in Android before handing over the device. To help you with that, here are some of the best guest mode apps for Android.
Best Guest Mode App for Android
1. Built-in Guest Mode
From Lollipop (v5.0), Android has a build in guest mode. This built-in guest mode will create another space parallel to your current user account. Since the guest mode is a completely separate space, the user data like installed apps and app data are not shared in the guest mode. In fact, users can’t even make phone calls.
Now, unlike the regular user profiles you can create on Android, the guest mode is a temporary space. Once you enter the guest mode, make some changes and switch to the actual user profile, the changes made are preserved. However, when you launch the guest mode again, Android will ask whether you’d like to resume the previous session or start over. If you select start over, the previous session will be completely erased, and you will be greeted with the brand-new screen.
How to enable guest mode on Android?
Since the guest mode is built into the OS, it is very easy to turn it on. In case you are wondering, you can enable the guest mode from the Settings > Users and accounts > Users > Guest. Depending on what version of Android you are using, the guest mode option placement can be a bit different. On stock or near Stock Android like OnePlus or Pixel phones, you can enable guest mode by
- Swipe down the notifications tray.
- Tap your avatar icon on the notification tray.
- Tap Add guest.
Once the user is done, using your phone, tap User icon > Remove Guest > Remove.
As good as it is, the downside of the built-in guest mode is that it is almost featureless. i.e. you cannot choose what apps to run or what apps to block. It just gives you a brand-new installation. All in all, if you don’t want to install yet another app and don’t mind the lack of features, then do give the built-in guest mode a try.
2. Safe: Protect Your Privacy
Safe: Protect Your Privacy is a very simple, lightweight, and easy to use application that creates a kind of temporary guest space with the apps of your choice. When enabled, other than the apps you give permission, any other app is out-right blocked. In fact, when the guest mode is enabled, the users cannot even access the home screen.
What makes Safe special is that it is stupidly simple to use. Just open the app, go to the guest mode, select the apps you want to allow and set the pin. Next, toggle the switch on the home screen and lock your device. That is it. From now on, users can only use the selected apps. If you want to use other apps, you need to enter the PIN you set up earlier.
As you can see, the app is pretty simple to use. So, if you are looking for a simple and straightforward guest mode app for Android then Safe is for you.
Price: The app is free and has no ads.
Read:Â How to Completely Remove All Google Apps From Android
Download Safe: Protect Your Privacy
3. SwitchMe Multiple Accounts (Root)
SwitchMe Multiple Accounts is a useful app that can create advanced user profiles with different permissions, just like in your computer. What makes SwitchMe special is its granular control that is offered when setting up a user profile. For instance, if you are giving your phone to a friend, you might not want them to access your phone log or WhatsApp. In those situations, you can create a specific profile to meet those specific needs. Of course, every profile can be password protected for extra security.
Considering how much control the app gives you while creating a user profile, it is root only. Which simply means that you cannot install the app if your device is not rooted.
Price: The app is free and contains ads. Some advanced features are locked behind the in-app purchases.
Download SwitchMe Multiple Accounts
4. Kiosk Lockdown LimaxLock
This app turns your Android phone into Kiosk. In case you know, a Kiosk is nothing but a very restrictive machine that is aimed at running a select few apps to fulfill a specific purpose. For instance, you can generally see a kiosk machine in fast food chains, railway stations, airports, unmanned ticket booking counters, etc. When you install and enable the app, it acts as a guest mode app with very restrictive access.
For example, the application replaces the default launcher and restricts the user from all apps except the explicitly permitted ones. When you are done with the guest mode, you can simply enter a password and the app restores the normal user environment. In addition to the kiosk mode, the app also comes with location tracking and support for multiple devices.
The good thing is, unlike SwitchMe, there is no root requirement. So, do give it a try and see how it works for you.
Price: The base app is free and has no ads. However, some features like real-time monitoring and multi-app kiosk are locked behind in-app purchases.
Read:Â How to Hide Apps (Like Tinder) on Android
Download Kiosk Lockdown LimaxLock
5. Double Screen
Double Screen lets you create multiple modes or profiles with just a few taps. Once created, these modes can be easily switched between as and when needed. Of course, each mode can have its own allowed apps and blocked apps. When you enable the application with a particular mode, the entire home screen will be changed to use a custom launcher with the apps of your choice. One of the best things about the Double Screen app is that the home screen has its own widgets like clock and whether to make it more usable and not feel restricted.
The good thing is, you can use the app to not only create a custom guest mode but also to create other profiles like work and personal. Since you can easily switch between different profiles with just a couple of taps, these modes are quite useful.
All in all, if you are looking for an app that does more than just give you access to guest mode then give Double Screen a try.
Price: The app is free and has ads.
6. Kids Place
If you are looking for a guest mode app for your kids, then this is the best bet. Kids Place is a parental control app which works as a guest mode for kids.
Once you install the app, you need to enter a 4-digit PIN and provide your email, to regain access to the app, in case you forget to your PIN. Next, you can allow the apps that you want your kids to use.
Just like other guest mode apps, it restricts access to certain features, apps, and functionality on the device. However, unlike others on the list, you can even set a limit on your children’s phone usage.
The only problem with the app is that the kids can bypass it by restarting the phone.
Read:Â How to Put Parental Controls on YouTube App
That is all. If you think I missed any of your favorite guest mode apps then comment below and share them with me.
