You’ll mostly be able to choose which of the apps installed on your device the child’s profile has access to. In practice, app developers have to implement this. Theoretically, restricted profiles allow you to restrict access to specific content in some apps. (Switching back to the main user account will require your PIN or whatever other unlock method you use.) You can then lock down the profile and switch between the restricted profile and main user account from the lock screen. To create a restricted profile, head to the Settings screen, tap Users, tap Add User, and tap Restricted Profile. However, restricted profiles are still only available on tablets.) With Android 5.0 Lollipop, multiple user accounts are now available on phones as well as tablets. (Google added multiple user accounts to Android in Android 4.2, but only for tablets.
With a restricted profile, you can create a special user account that only has access to specific apps and content you allow. Restricted profiles are only available on tablets - not smartphones.
RELATED: How to Manage Your Child's Android Phone with Google Family LinkĪndroid Lollipop offers restricted profiles, a feature that arrived in Android 4.3. You’ll be asked for your PIN or pattern if you configured that option. To leave a pinned app, hold the “Overview” button. Tap the pin on the bottom-right corner of an app’s card. Next, open the app you can to pin, tap the “Overview” button to show the list of open applications as cards, and swipe up. To use this feature, you’ll need to open the Settings screen, select Security, and activate “Screen pinning” under “Advanced.” Tell Android to ask for your PIN or unlock pattern before unpinning the app. Or, if you want your kids using a specific educational app, you can ensure they’ll stay in that app. This means you could launch a game and pin it, handing it over and knowing a kid won’t go through your email or look up any inappropriate content.