# Is there a way to "lock" the desktop on android? (answered) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 30, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927 "2023-09-30T20:34:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Loggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927/1 "2023-09-30T20:34:59Z")
By that i mean to prevent someone from moving or removing icons on your Android desktop? Reason i ask is not because i have fingery children, but because i have a 77 year old slightly demented mother who regularly moves icons onto page 2 or page 3 and then is not able to find them again. Some even have dissapeared completely. Any tips? (Fairly modern Samsung phone if it matters) Thanks. ---
**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:** [September 30, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927/2 "2023-09-30T20:41:11Z")
> **[How to Prevent Your Home Screen Layout from Changing on Android?](https://www.androidhelpcenter.com/how-to-lock-home-screen-layout-on-android-phones-and-tablets/)** > > Tired of your home screen layout changing accidentally? These 3 methods will show you how to lock your home screen layout on Android. ---
**Author:** ![Loggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927/3 "2023-09-30T20:41:47Z")
Wow thanks for quick reply! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927/4 "2023-09-30T20:42:24Z")
There are apps to lock down android - I haven’t tried any of them recently so can’t recommend anything specific, but a useful search word is ‘kiosk’ as they are used to make public-facing touchscreen devices that can be used, but not easily altered. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927/5 "2023-09-30T20:44:46Z")
And I can confirm that Samsung don’t do anything different in the current release of One UI. I have a recent Samsung phone, and it works exactly as described in that link Method 1. Settings \ Home Screen \ Lock Home Screen Layout ---
**Author:** ![Loggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927/6 "2023-09-30T20:49:03Z")
Thanks all for the speedy help (and for teaching me that its not called “desktop” on android, but rather “home screen” 🙂 ) ---
**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:** [September 30, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927/7 "2023-09-30T20:54:40Z")
Side note, something I set up for an older parent is Easy mode on many Samsung models: > **[Using Easy Mode on my Samsung Phone](https://www.samsung.com/au/support/mobile-devices/using-easy-mode/)** > > FAQ for Samsung Mobile. Find more about 'Using Easy Mode on my Samsung Phone' with Samsung Support. More for the larger visibility, but it can also reduce complexity, although that depends upon exactly what the user needs available. So just a FYI. ETA - this is a SAMSUNG feature, although there are other options in the greater world, just to be clear. ---
**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:** [September 30, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-lock-the-desktop-on-android-answered/990927/8 "2023-09-30T20:55:09Z")
> [@Loggins](#): > > and for teaching me that its not called “desktop” on android, but rather “home screen” And the home screen is part of a “launcher”, of which there are many choices. > **[Best Android launchers 2023](https://www.tomsguide.com/round-up/best-android-launchers)** > > The best Android launchers give you more control over your home screen I’ve been using Apex Launcher Classic for I don’t know how many years now.