To lock an app on a Samsung Galaxy, put it in Secure Folder: go to Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings → Secure Folder, set a PIN, password or pattern, then open Secure Folder and tap + to add the app. Samsung has no one-tap app lock in One UI 8, 8.5 or 9. To limit an app instead, use Digital Wellbeing app timers or a prayer lock app like Prayer Latch.
Most Galaxy phones in October 2026 run One UI 8, 8.5 or 9. None of them has a long-press "lock this app" button yet: a leaked test build of One UI 9.5 shows one, but Samsung hasn't announced it. Until then, Samsung gives you four built-in tools, depending on what kind of lock you need, and Prayer Latch, a Christian app blocker, works on Galaxy phones to keep your chosen apps locked until you've prayed. Steps below come from Samsung's US support pages as of October 2026.
Which Samsung lock do you need?
| You want to… | Use |
|---|---|
| Keep an app private behind a PIN | Secure Folder |
| Use an app less each day | Digital Wellbeing app timers |
| Silence apps during set hours | Modes and Routines |
| Give a young child a locked-down phone | Samsung Kids |
| Keep apps closed until you've prayed | A prayer lock app such as Prayer Latch |
How do I lock an app with Secure Folder?
- Open Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings → Secure Folder. On older phones, look under Biometrics and security.
- Tap Continue, allow the permissions and sign in to your Samsung account if asked.
- Choose a PIN, password or pattern. Samsung recommends turning on Reset with Samsung account so you can recover a forgotten lock.
- Open Secure Folder, tap Add apps (+), choose the app and tap Add.
The copy inside Secure Folder needs your Secure Folder lock to open. Since One UI 8, you can keep the app only in Secure Folder, without a second copy in your main app drawer.
How do I hide Secure Folder?
Swipe down with two fingers and tap the Secure Folder tile in Quick settings. Or go to Settings → Security and privacy → More security settings → Secure Folder and turn off Add Secure Folder to Apps screen. To rename it or change its icon, open Secure Folder and tap ⋮ → Customize.
How do I limit an app with Digital Wellbeing?
- Open Settings → Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.
- Tap App timers.
- Choose the app (or a category), set a daily time and tap Save.
When time runs out, the app pauses until midnight. You can't set timers on system apps, and an app timer is easy to change, so it works best as a nudge.
How do I pause apps during set hours on Samsung?
Use Settings → Modes and Routines. Samsung's built-in modes include Sleep, Work, Exercise, Relax and Driving. Inside a mode, you can choose which apps may send notifications. Modes quiet apps, but they don't lock them behind a PIN.
Prayer Latch tip: Use app timers for daytime limits and Prayer Latch for mornings. Set its lock time to match your alarm, and your feeds stay closed until you've prayed.
How do I lock apps for a young child on Samsung?
Use Samsung Kids. Swipe down with two fingers and tap Samsung Kids in Quick settings (if it's missing, tap the pencil icon to add it). Inside, tap ⋮ → Parental controls to set daily playtime and choose which apps your child can use. Exiting needs your PIN. Samsung Kids depends on your carrier, so some phones don't have it. For older kids, see how to lock games on a phone.
Can I lock apps on Samsung until I pray?
Yes. Prayer Latch works on Galaxy phones. It uses Android's Accessibility service to notice when an app you chose opens during a lock time, like your wake-up time, and shows a prayer screen over it. You pray, with a guided prayer or your own words, hold to say Amen, and your apps open until the next lock time. Install it from Google Play and follow the setup, which asks you to turn on one Accessibility setting.
Why does my app lock stop working on Samsung?
Samsung's battery saver can put apps into "deep sleep." To keep an app lock working, go to Settings → Battery → Background usage limits and add it to Never sleeping apps. If its Accessibility switch has turned off, turn it back on in Settings → Accessibility → Installed apps. Full steps: Prayer Latch not working on Android? Fixes.
Does Samsung have Private space like Pixel?
Samsung's own answer is Secure Folder, which does the same job: a separate, locked area for private apps. For other Android phones, see how to lock apps on Android.
Pray before you scroll
Prayer Latch locks your chosen apps each morning until you pray. Your first 7 days are free, no card needed.
Updated October 27, 2026 by the Prayer Latch team at Janus Works LLC.