# How to force my smartphone to ask for my password when accessing Google Drive ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 1, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106 "2018-07-01T18:56:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/1 "2018-07-01T18:56:29Z")
I have a Sony Xperia (Android), and I’m pretty happy with it. There’s one “helpful” feature which I don’t like at all, however. When I connect to my Google account, it doesn’t ask for my password. As a result, my mail and documents are easily accessible to anyone who may lay their hands on my phone for a minute. Is there a way to force my phone to always ask for my password before accessing my Google account ? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/2 "2018-07-01T19:07:58Z")
Go to settings and engage a screenlock. If they can’t get in your phone they can’t access your Google stuff… ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/3 "2018-07-02T09:02:35Z")
Thanks. That’s an effective but radical solution and I’m sure I’ll get annoyed with it myself pretty fast. I’m just looking for a way to have the phone ask for my password when I want to look at my mail, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![albino\_manatee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/albino_manatee/32/2_2.png) [@albino\_manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/albino_manatee)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/4 "2018-07-02T12:08:27Z")
> [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](#): > > _“… and I’m sure I’ll get annoyed with it myself pretty fast. I’m just looking for a way to have the phone ask for my password when I want to look at my mail …”_ you probably will thank yourself … next time you leave it lying around … and some passer-by tries viewing your emails. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/5 "2018-07-02T15:40:01Z")
I know it isn’t exactly what you are looking for but if your device has a secure folder you can probably lock Google access behind that. Barring that, I suppose you literally log out of Google on the device each time you use it. ETA: There seem to be third party apps that can lock other apps. I have no idea if they work well or not. Norton App Lock is the name of one that I found in the Google Play store. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/6 "2018-07-02T16:22:13Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I know it isn’t exactly what you are looking for but if your device has a secure folder you can probably lock Google access behind that. Barring that, **I suppose you literally log out of Google on the device each time you use it.** I don’t mind doing that, if it’s the only solution. I don’t check my mails every hour anyway… ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/7 "2018-07-02T18:45:35Z")
I have an app called AppLock that I can configure to require a code or pattern when specified apps are launched. I’ve used it on 2 phones now with good results. I can’t speak to how hacker-proof it is, but it’s certainly good casual security. ETA: In case of multiple apps with the same name, developer is called DoMobile Lab. I have no relationship with or interest in this company. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/8 "2018-07-02T18:55:26Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I have an app called AppLock that I can configure to require a code or pattern when specified apps are launched. I’ve used it on 2 phones now with good results. > > I can’t speak to how hacker-proof it is, but it’s certainly good casual security. > > ETA: In case of multiple apps with the same name, developer is called DoMobile Lab. I have no relationship with or interest in this company. I second AppLock. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/9 "2018-07-02T19:02:19Z")
The available screen lock built into most phones works great. You can use a pattern or type in a password. And you can change it periodically if you’re so a mind. It can be as complicated or simple as you like. Logging out of Google everytime wil work just as well But, everything is hackable, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106/10 "2018-07-03T13:19:01Z")
Thanks, I’ll give these methods a try. So far, logging out appeals to me the most.