Protector

by Antonio Wells Mar 15, 2010 6:00 AM – 25 Comments

Install

Protector protects any Android application with password: SMS, Gmail, e-mail, Settings, Photos, Calendar, Notepad, Chat… everything you want! Want to set PIN-code to private messages? Protect your corporate secrets? Show off your phone to others while keeping private data inaccessible? FINALLY on Android!

Price: Free, $0.99

AndroidTapp.com Android App Review:

Pros & Cons:

Pros

Protect any Android app with PIN code password!
Customize which apps are or are not protected
Customize portions of app features to protect
No workarounds to beat the protection
Password Recovery

Features:

Protector Android App really does help protect apps and information on your Android phone by forcing correct entry of a PIN code to open. Don’t want to protect the entire app? Protect a portion of it as well. Awesome!

So my first thought was to thoroughly test this app to see if a savvy Android user could get around this app protection by using Android task management apps like TasKiller or Advanced Task Killer to stop Protector from running then access the information. Nope… stopped short as these apps are protected, therefore requesting a PIN code. You even need a PIN code to open Protector. My final test was to uninstall the app; halted there as the general Settings menu is password protected too!

You can protect any app, not just limited to native Google apps. Also convenient… say you install an app that should be on the protection list after installing protector like TasKiller, it automatically protects those apps it feels should be in the default protection list.

Update: there was/is password recovery… see details on recovering Protector PIN code password:

What to do if I forgot my password?

Not a problem! You can specify backup email – new password will be sent there on request. Just hold OK button to get the confimation window. Otherwise, please ask me for built-in ‘secret’ code that will reset password with 24 hours delay providing order number from Google Checkout to verify your identity.

Anyway, factory reset is required to remove all installed applications and the data (including Protector and all stored gmail data.)

Demo version can be always unlocked with built-in code 00137982399.

: Protector Protecting

: Protector List of Protected and Available Apps

: Protector Protection Options

: Protector Protect Specific Portions of an App

: Protector Preferences Menu

: Protector Window Shade Notification

Usefulness:

For the security conscious, this app in combination with Mobile Defense are must-haves!

Ease of Use:

Simply install the app and the default settings protect common apps and settings requiring it.

Other Great Use Cases are:

Allow apps to open like SMS texts and email, however restrict reading or writing to them.
Have trade secrets or sensitive notes in your task/to-do list apps? Have them protected with Protector.
Enterprise IT departments can rave at this simple app.

Frequently Used:

If installed it will be in use every time start an app under protection.

AndroidTapp.com Rating

AndroidTapp.com Rating! (4.5 out of 5)

Should you Download Protector? Yes! Must Buy for App and Data Protection!

Developer: Alexander Kosenkov

Tags: Android Apps, AndroidTapp.com App Review, Password Protect Android Apps, Protect Apps, Protector

Categorised in: Tools

25 Comments

By Andrew on March 15, 2010 at 2:42 pm:

There’s another one called App Protector with a better UI and password recovery function.

Reply
By Alexander Kosenkov on March 15, 2010 at 3:38 pm:

Andrew,

That apps is just a clone of my original research. And I don’t really think that it has better UI.

My application, of course, has built-in password-recovery. But nobody ever asked for that – I beleive users are smart enough to remember several digits.

Reply
- By Cindi on March 27, 2013 at 4:28 pm:
  
  got a question for you… My teenage son asked me to put an app lock on his phone to help him make good choices but I have tried 5 different ones, he has found a glitch that allows him to push the uninstall button mili seconds before the password screen pops up which then allows him to uninstall the app… will he be able to do this with you app????? I’m willing to pay for an app but not if it can be easily broken by my teenager
  
  Reply
By Raymond on April 2, 2010 at 11:20 am:

Cool concept/hack but these type of “protector” apps can be easily bypassed by booting into safe mode on any Android phone.

Reply
- By Daniel on September 6, 2010 at 2:41 am:
  
  Alexander, is this true about bypassing the protection if you boot into safe mode? I think all you have to do to boot into safe mode us hold down the menu button while you boot.
  
  Reply
By Closure on April 20, 2010 at 9:50 pm:

there’s one big flaw of this app: it says my version is expired and ask me to download an updated version from android market. but the thing is that my phone configuration & android market and loads of app are under “protections” of Protector, then it forbid me to type in the pin code!!! Not only I cannot delete this app but also unable to install the new version (only if i can manage to open the android market and download any app) so basically my phone has been hijacked by it!

Reply
- By Android Tapp on April 21, 2010 at 7:19 am:
  
  That’s unfortunate to hear. Have you tried retrieving the password using the methods placed in this review above?
  
  Reply
- By Alexander Kosenkov on April 21, 2010 at 7:30 am:
  
  Closure, it’s better to contact developer directly – you will receive immediate help.
  
  Actually, this is not a problem – your password really works.
  
  Just click OK or press Back to get rid of this dialog. As usual in Android.
  
  Reply
By XERXES on April 22, 2010 at 9:45 pm:

Biggest flaw in this protection is when you return from the protected application there is no protection anymore during that session. Protection should be active every time you go to protected application no matter where you’re coming from. Please add this functionality, will make this 5 stars

Reply
By Manoj on April 25, 2010 at 4:21 am:

How do I buy this software from India? I’m not able to see paid apps in India

Reply
By Sjaak on May 15, 2010 at 4:05 am:

Great app! I’d love to have it! On my T-mobile Pulse I can’t find it at the Market??!!
The clone: App Protector from Carrot App I can find and install but is not working on my PULSE? Any help / suggestions?

Reply
By Kishora Y S on July 30, 2010 at 11:47 pm:

Could you please tell me the application name?
I’m not aboe to find in android market. I downloaded app protector lite. Disadvantage in that is for all application I have to give password to unlock.

I heard, in this application only one entry to unlock & sleep.

Reply
- By Antonio Wells on July 31, 2010 at 9:24 am:
  
  The app is called “Protector”. You can either scan the QR barcodes we’ve place above in the review or visit this page on your phone and tap the QR barcode to send you to the exact application in the Android Market.
  
  Yes, this app lets you protect individual app or even individual functions of an app. However once unlocked and the screen has not went to “sleep”, you would not have to re-enter the password again while the phone is awake unless visiting the “Protector” app itself.
  
  Hope that helps!
  
  Reply
By Chuck on August 8, 2010 at 8:26 pm:

Can you hide just some of your photos?

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By Jason Norment on August 9, 2010 at 10:42 am:

I’m happy to report that Froyo on the HTC Evo eliminates the need for this app if you want to only allow access via numerical code. You can now use it as a security option instead of the pattern. If you have an device that has 2.1 or lower, this seems like a great app!

Reply
By sarcho on September 27, 2010 at 8:35 pm:

First of all, “Cool concept/hack but these type of “protector” apps can be easily bypassed by booting into safe mode on any Android phone.” anyone has tested this?

Second, the password screen is not complete in xperia x10 mini, I have contacted the developer I hope he fix it soon.

Reply
By SAMANTHA on December 20, 2010 at 9:33 am:

After installing it..does it leave an icon for others to see to access it or what?

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By ayush on May 29, 2011 at 10:41 am:

i have a critcal problem of mobile motorola charm a application lock my all the gallary how would i crack the password of that application. the real password was not working properly.the application was application protect…………………. please help me as fast as possible………………pls

Reply
By ads on October 13, 2012 at 1:40 pm:

my case is different nd i need sm kinda help…my app protecter is showng keypad with numbrs as well as alphabets..bt my passwrd is only in alphabets and keypad is nt spprtng alphabets nw…

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By Ana on January 3, 2013 at 9:55 pm:

FINALLY, I found this solution. Please add Parental Control to the search terms for this app. It works for what I was trying to do – enable only Facebook and email internet access on my child’s mobile. All free apps tagged under Parental Control seem to do is only monitor location or activity, but not block anything.

Reply