To protect your data or prevent others from messing with your phone, we recommend using basic security features.

Also, there are ways to share important information with others - in case of emergency - without unlocking your device.

Screen lock

To prevent others from accessing your phone and your data unauthorized, we recommend using a Screen lock. To set up a Screen lock, go to:

1. Settings → Security → under Device security, tap on Screen lock → Choose screen lock.

2. Select one of the following options to unlock your screen:

   1. None - if you want to remove the Screen lock.

   2. Swipe - a minimal option accessible to anyone with physical access to your device.
   3. Pattern - secure your phone with a visual pattern of your choice based on a 3x3 matrix.
   4. PIN - secure your phone with a code, between 4 and 17 digits.
   5. Password - secure your phone with a password of your choice.
3. Follow the instructions as given on the phone: enter your unlock of choice and repeat the pattern, PIN, or password to confirm.
4. Memorize the pattern, PIN, or password well, or add it to a password manager, as it is not stored outside of your device or accessible to others.
5. After setting up basic unlock, you can set up fingerprint unlock (not supported on Fairphone 2 and Fairphone 1).

In case you forget your pattern, PIN, or password, by default you have an unlimited amount of tries to unlock the phone. It is also possible to set a limit of 15 incorrect attempts, after which the device will perform an automatic factory reset.
Your unlocking credentials are not stored outside of your phone. So in case you forget them, it is not possible for us to unlock the device for you or find out the correct pattern, PIN, or password.

Android Device Protection

If you plan to gift or re-sell the device, always remove the screen lock and your Google account.

The Android Device Protection is designed to prevent a return to the factory settings when a Screen lock is in place and a Google account is set up on the phone.

This security measure is integral to all Android mobile software. It prevents unauthorized people from using your phone and accessing or deleting your data when it is stolen or lost. After an attempt to return the device to its factory settings, the phone will require the user to log in to the Google account and Screen lock if that account is not removed. This way, a factory reset is not enough to use the phone unless the Google account owner logs in to remove the account and Lock screen.

In case the original owner has passed away, this is not possible. 

If you know the Screen lock PIN code, pattern, or password, then you only need to log in to their Google account. Legal executors of the estate of the deceased can file a request with Google to share/reset the login credentials with a death certificate. Then, you can access the Google account via the phone and also release the security measure. You do this by removing the Google account from the phone after you unlocked the Screen lock.

Lock screen text

We recommend adding a text to your Lock screen. When you lose your phone or leave it somewhere unattended, others can identify it as your device and contact you.

To add a Lock screen text:

Go to: Settings → Display → (Advanced) → Lock screen → Add text on lock screen.

You can add something like your email address and your phone number. Or the phone number of an ICE (In Case of Emergency contact), or both.

Emergency contacts

On the phone, there is an option to share your medical details or emergency contacts in case you are not able to do it yourself. Others can access this emergency information without having to unlock the phone. 

To add your emergency information:

• Go to Settings → Safety & emergency.
• On some software versions, go to Settings → About phone → Emergency information.

You can add:

• Your name.
• Your address.
• Your blood type.
• Your medications.
• If you are an organ donor.
• Medical notes.
• Your ICE (In Case of Emergency contact).

This information is available on the Lock screen. Swipe up to reveal the Screen lock and tap on Emergency (call) to view it.

If after reading the article you need more help, contact with our Customer Support.