How To Encrypt An Android Device

Encrypt An Android Device

Google has introduced full-device encryption on Android again. The encryption of an Android device depends on the version of Android. It’s different for Android 5.x and higher and differs on some lower-end Android devices. With the lower-end Android devices, the encryption can be done manually whereas, for the higher-end Android devices, you have to go through some steps to get it enabled.

But what do you think is the main reason to encrypt a device? It’s all for securing the data on the device. Encryption keeps the data and information on the device completely safe and secure. The data will be stored in an unreadable and scrambled form. While entering a PIN, password or a pattern on your smartphone, the phone will decrypt the data. With an unknown encryption password, it is almost impossible to access the phone’s data.

Encryption protects the sensitive data on your phone. For instance, companies with sensitive business data on their phones will want to use encryption with a secured lock screen. This will help protect that data from corporate spying. Without the encryption key, it won’t be possible for an attacker to access the data. Although there are more advanced cracking methods to crack the password.

It’s not that everyone should have sensitive data on their phone and mainly if you’re an average user. If you have lost your phone, the person who got the phone has access to your email inbox, your home address, and other personal information. Mostly it would not be possible for all the other users to block access to your data by a standard unlock code, whether it may be encrypted or not. If the person who got your phone is a thief, they will be more interested in selling your phone rather than using it or accessing your personal data. So it’s better to keep your data safe and more secure.

Now let’s know the process to encrypt an Android device. But before getting to know the procedure, note the following things.

Encrypting an Android device can take an hour or longer.
The Android device must be plugged in throughout the whole process.
Your Android device should have a minimum of 80% of battery charge. Otherwise, the device won’t even start the process.
Again, if you’re rooted, be sure to unroot your phone before continuing.

Before starting the process to encrypt an Android device, check if the battery is full and you have more time. Interrupting the process before completing it fully may lead you to lose all your data. Leave the device without disturbing once you have started the process.

Now you might be ready to encrypt an Android device. So follow the procedural steps to get the job done.

Step 1: Go to Settings app from your Android device and tap on “Security”. Your device will pop up a message if your device is already encrypted. Some devices will also allow SD card contents to be encrypted, but by default Android just encrypts onboard storage. If the Android device isn’t encrypted, start the process by tapping the “Encrypt phone” option.

Step 2: Now you will let you know what to expect once the process is completed. When you are ready to proceed, tap on “Encrypt phone” button.

Step 3: Again you will be having another warning opposing the interruption of the process. Then again, tap on “Encrypt phone” button which will do the trick.

Step 4: Then the phone will reboot and begin to encrypt the Android device. It will show up the progress bar and the estimated time for completion. This will provide you an idea of how long you have to keep your device uninterrupted. After this, the phone will reboot.

Step 5: If you set up a lock screen password, PIN, or pattern, put it in now so as to finish the boot process of the device. If not, set up a PIN or password.

Step 6: To set up a PIN, go to the Settings app and then to Security. Then select “Screen Lock” option.

Step 7: Choose Pattern, PIN, or Password to set your security.

Step 8: You’ll be asked if you want to have the PIN, password, or pattern at startup. You can opt according to you but we suggest to click on “Yes” since this increases the security of your device.

Note that even with a fingerprint reader, you can’t use a fingerprint to unlock a device on first boot. You’ll have to put in the password, PIN, or pattern. After the Android device has been decrypted with the correct security unlocking method, the fingerprint reader can be used to unlock the screen moving forward.