Best AppLock Alternatives (February 2022)
In this guide, we have included the 8 best AppLock alternatives that have a strict privacy policy and developed outside of China. You can expand the table below and move to any app of your choice.
1. Norton App Lock
If you are looking for an AppLock alternative, my first recommendation would be Norton App Lock. It’s one of the best, if not the best app lockers on Android. The app is simple, lightweight, and does not have any ads or bloatware. The app has been developed by the popular antivirus provider Norton, so there are no issues in terms of security and privacy here. It offers a custom pattern, PIN, and fingerprint to unlock apps.
While the app does not blur the recent apps list, you can enable a setting, and it will ask you to enter the passcode or pattern to view the recent apps list. Apart from that, there is also a ‘Sneak Peek mode‘ that lets you capture images of intruders trying to unlock apps without your permission. You can also grant the Device Administrator permission to Norton App Lock to prevent others from uninstalling the app. Overall, I would say that there is no better app locker than Norton App Lock on Android in terms of security, privacy, and features.
Install: Free
Lightweight app lockerDeveloped by NortonNo ads or bloatwareIntruder selfie available
Can’t block recent app list
2. App Lock by Smart Mobile Tools
After the Norton App Lock, if I have to recommend another alternative, it would be App Lock by Smart Mobile Tools. Similar to Norton App Lock, it’s lightweight and bloat-free. The app has a size of just 8.3MB and has a clean UI to boot. The app is built by Smart Mobile Tools, which is registered in Vietnam. Speaking of the features, you have a biometric locking option along with PIN and pattern protection here. The app also stores your email so that if you forget the password or PIN, you can recover the locked apps.
Other than that, you get features like intruder selfies, theming, administrator hard lock-in, and more. What I like about this app is that you can create different profiles and select apps to lock at a given time. The only con is that it asks for the Contact permission, which seems uncalled for. Nevertheless, if you want a clean and simple app locker for Android, App Lock by Smart Mobile Tools is a great alternative.
Install: Free, Offers in-app purchases
Clean UISmall footprintIntruder selfiesHard lock with administrator permission
Shows banner ads
3. AppLock Pro
AppLock Pro is another great app that you can use to replace the Chinese app, AppLock. It’s built by Eywin Apps which is based out of Turkey. The reason I recommend this app is because it offers several features that are not available on other app lockers. Other than the usual PIN, Pattern, and fingerprint options, you can enable a Spy camera feature to catch the intruders. You can also customize the lock timer as to when the app should trigger app locking.
Moreover, you can hide notifications from the locked apps and lock the recent app list so that no one can take a peek at the overview screen. In addition, you can set to receive an audible alert if someone tries to unlock apps on your device. You can also show a fake error message, hide AppLock Pro itself from the app drawer, and much more. Simply put, if you want a feature-rich replacement to AppLock, AppLock Pro is a great alternative.
Install: Free, Offers in-app purchases
Quite feature-richMake audible soundSpy cameraCustomize timerHide notifications
A bit heavy on system resources
4. AppLock – Fingerprint
AppLock – Fingerprint is another AppLock alternative that comes with a myriad of features. It has been developed by a company named SpSoft, based out of South Korea. The unique feature of this app locker is that it supports face unlocking in addition to the usual PIN, pattern, and fingerprint. The app also locks down the package uninstaller so that no one can uninstall the app without a PIN code. This way, you will not have to grant the sensitive Device Administrator permission.
Apart from that, you get features like an Observer for capturing images of intruders, multiple passwords for different apps, a home screen lock, and much more. In my usage, the app was a bit buggy on Android 11, but it works well on older versions of Android. In tandem, AppLock – Fingerprint is a capable alternative to AppLock, and you can surely give it a try.
Install: Free, Offers in-app purchases
Supports face unlockingCapture intruder picturesSupports multiple passwordsClean UI
Buggy on Android 11
5. AppLock Master
AppLock Master is our next recommendation on this list. Among all the apps, it has the smallest footprint and weighs just 5MB in size. The app is built by a company called Sepber, registered in Vietnam. The app is quite simple to set up and use. It supports Android’s built-in fingerprint sensor along with PIN and Pattern protection.
You have many customization options like Delay lock, icon modification, intruder selfie, theming, uninstall prevention, etc. Further, you get a private photo vault within the app to store your sensitive media. Overall, AppLock Master is a neat app locker and can be a great replacement for AppLock.
Install: Free
Very lightweightSimple to usePhoto vault availableUninstall prevention built-in
Shows some ads
6. FingerSecurity
FingerSecurity has not been updated in a while, but it’s still one of the best AppLock alternatives out there. Developed by Rick Clephas of the Netherlands, the app is advanced and offers biometric locking, PIN, and pattern options. The app employs various methods to improve app protection on Android. With Advanced Security enabled, it can prevent other users from uninstalling the app or killing the process.
Then there is Improved Protection that stops users from taking a peek at the recent apps list. Apart from that, it lets you set a master password in case you forget the PIN or pattern. All in all, FingerSecurity is a lightweight replacement for AppLock, and you should give it a shot.
Install: Free, Offers in-app purchases
Prevents uninstallationMaster password for recoveryRecent app protectionCustom timer
Not updated for quite some time
7. AppLock by KewlApps
AppLock by KewlApps is another feature-packed app locker on Android and can be a great replacement to the now-banned app, AppLock. It has been developed by KewlApps, based out of Pakistan, so we leave it up to the discretion of users if they want to use the app. Moving to its features set, you have support for fingerprint protection in addition to PIN and pattern lock.
There are also many customization options such as relocking app conditions, primary unlock method, locking recent apps, blocking notifications from locked apps, and more. Not to mention, the app can capture intruder pictures and can also change its icon in the app drawer. To conclude, AppLock by KewlApps is packed with features and can serve as a great alternative to AppLock.
Install: Free, Offers in-app purchases
Quite feature-richLock recent appsBlock notificationsCapture intruder photosUninstallation prevention is quite good
Displays ads within the app
8. AppLock by SailingLab
AppLock by SailingLab is another versatile app locker for Android that brings a lot of neat features. You can lock apps with PIN, Pattern, or fingerprint protection. It also offers a custom timer to lock the app after a certain interval. There are also features like Intruder selfie and message security to block notifications from locked apps, but they are reserved for paid users only.
Apart from that, what I don’t like about this app is that it displays a lot of ads on the app lock screen and within the app. You have to be a paid member to remove the ads. Nevertheless, it offers a private vault to hide your private photos and videos, which is a good addition. In summation, if you are looking for an AppLock alternative with app locking and a private vault, AppLock by SailingLab is a decent choice.
Install: Free, Offers in-app purchases
Intruder selfiePhoto vaultCustom timerMessage security
Too many ads
Check out the Best App Locker Alternatives on Android
So these are the app lockers that you can use on Android in place of the banned AppLock app. We have included only those apps which are not registered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Anyway, that is all from us. If you are looking for some of the best open-source apps for Android, head over to our linked article. And if you have any questions, let us know in the comments section below.
