# Do you keep your phone locked? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 10, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762 "2021-04-10T19:37:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/21 "2021-04-10T22:06:43Z")
I didn’t know phones locked until I watched Sherlock (one of the plots hinges on this fact). I have no idea how to lock a phone. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/22 "2021-04-10T22:07:58Z")
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that people keep their phone unlocked, but that just seems incredibly stupid. I think setting up Apple Pay _requires_ the phone to be locked, otherwise if anyone ever gets ahold of your phone you’re giving them access to your credit cards. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/23 "2021-04-10T22:12:40Z")
> [@shh1313](#): > > The info I read said you’ll have a DOD PIV authentication and 16 digit UPN for unclassified websites with accounts, email > or authentication certificates… > > The new phone will be AI and biometrically scan your eyes or face 2023 target date. Apple iPhones have had Face ID since the iPhone X was introduced in 2017. And I don’t do business with the DoD, so I don’t know why I care what standards they expect. ---
**Author:** ![FastDan1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fastdan1/32/427_2.png) [@FastDan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FastDan1)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/24 "2021-04-10T22:15:59Z")
Yeah, Face ID or alternatively, a pin. And I always lock it before I set it down. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/25 "2021-04-10T22:16:21Z")
Anyone who thinks I’m going to allow facial recognition and/or eye scans to get into my phone is drastically underestimating just how long I’m capable of keeping an old phone going and my ability to jailbreak and install whatever OS I want on the thing. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/26 "2021-04-10T22:24:31Z")
I don’t lock my phone. I really should setup a pin. It would need to be something fast and easy. I’m on the phone a lot and need fast access. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/27 "2021-04-10T22:42:19Z")
I use the excellent Pixel fingerprint reader, with a long PIN backup. I don’t care to say how long, as that’s part of the security. The fingerprint is less secure than a good password, but very fast and convenient, so it’s a trade off. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/28 "2021-04-11T00:39:54Z")
Yes, used to use the Pin and then a swipe later, but I got an updated phone last month and started using a fingerprint. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/29 "2021-04-11T00:54:57Z")
> [@eschrodinger](#): > > The fingerprint is less secure than a good password Why is that? I figure someone could hack my phone with a fingerprint only by threatening me. (At which point, phone security is not the big issue.) ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/30 "2021-04-11T00:58:10Z")
I do because I don’t routinely carry mine around. If I go out I never take it with me unless I plan on using it, maybe for directions, or I am meeting up with people and may need to explain a delay. At work I sometimes leave it charging on my desk. Not that anyone has ever had a phone stolen off their desk at work. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/31 "2021-04-11T01:02:59Z")
Heh, the pixel fingerprint reader gets confused by my frequently having things like dried paint or wood glue on my fingers. I have my phone locked but with location exceptions for home and work. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/32 "2021-04-11T02:03:44Z")
yep, phone is locked. I would lock it anyway, but corporate IT lock is mandatory if I want to access work email and websites. fingerprint reader works well on both the Pixel and the Microsoft Duo. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/33 "2021-04-11T03:13:21Z")
Fingerprint (both sides, as I sometimes use it left handed, and the number of times I’ve burned a finger and had problems with recognition is high), with 4 digit PIN backup. I especially like having a PIN backup for the times I’m driving or otherwise occupied and need the better half to answer the phone or get some info off. While a 6 digit PIN is more secure, the trade off in ease of entry is worth it. And no PIN is seriously secure if someone else has possession of the phone. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/34 "2021-04-11T03:19:01Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Fingerprint (both sides, as I sometimes use it left handed, and the number of times I’ve burned a finger and had problems with recognition is high), with 4 digit PIN backup My system as well. I think I have fingerprints from both hands in the memory to avoid the boo-boos on the fingertip problem. Unless all of them are messed up I can get through. Use the same locking on my 2 iPads as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/35 "2021-04-11T03:30:57Z")
I just set up a new phone with a fingerprint reader. I set it up with three fingerprints, two on one hand and one on the other. I just tried to unlock it with several fingers that were not one of those three, and it wouldn’t unlock. After several attempts, it disabled the fingerprint unlock and forced me to use a PIN to unlock. Not sure I buy the idea that the fingerprint unlock isn’t secure. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/36 "2021-04-11T04:07:17Z")
Yes, but most of the time it is pretty transparent, a fingerprint scanner built into a button (I have it trained to thumb and first two fingers of both hands. I just touch the button and I’m in. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/37 "2021-04-11T04:14:52Z")
Yes, I also have one finger scanned into the Pixel, and I never have trouble with it. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/38 "2021-04-11T04:26:02Z")
I came here to say “yes, with fingerprint” but seems I am late to the party. I never used to bother to lock my phone, but the fingerprint reader is fast and reliable enough that it’s no more bother than waking my phone with the power button. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/39 "2021-04-11T04:29:54Z")
Well, it’s a warning it gives when you set it up, that it’s less secure than a strong passcode, but I don’t know the exact reason from a technical standpoint. From a practical one, I think someone could, like you say, force you to unlock it. From a legal standpoint, I think it’s unclear if you can be “forced” to provide your password, because it may or may not be testimonial. But I’m confident police could get a warrant to place your finger on a sensor. But even on pain of contempt, a court couldn’t, as a practical matter, force you to give up your PIN. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762/40 "2021-04-11T12:22:17Z")
My iPhone recognizes my face regardless of hats, expression, etc. If I’m masked I input my code, 1-1-1-1-1-1. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-phone-locked/939762.md?page=3)