Lock app content

MenloPete

I've searched for an answer to this, not found it, and think maybe it's impossible...

An older person I know has a Huawei smartphone. The problem is he is developing dementia and really can't handle a smartphone properly - yet he insists on having one. (We got him a dumber one, but he doesn't use it).

Is it possible to lock the screens so that the app icons can't be moved?
Also prevent apps being installed or removed?

At the moment he has Sky News, BBC, CNN, RTE, Twitter, Facebook all chattering away, so that he fails to see that he has received a Text or WhatsApp message.

He would be better off with a reduced, manageable App list - if we could ensure it stays that way.

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If you install a new launcher (my recommendation is Lawnchair or Nova) you can customize all visible apps / lock the desktop to prevent icons from moving.

This won't let you fully prevent app installs / removals so in that case I'd also recommend a supervised (controlled rather) profile. This is possible if you use the Google Family app. I use it to control / manage times and app access for my daughter (e.g 1 hour of YouTube Kids or require a password for new app installs).

It will guide you through adding an existing Gmail or creating a supervised profile (it does say for a child) but this does will not show anywhere on the phone for this person. Your account will then be the primary Family manager and you can manage all the permissions you need (such as hiding Play Store, blocking certain apps, content filters etc.). It's more of a policy control app but Google made.

https://families.google.com/families

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.kids.familylink&hl=en_IE

GIMP

MenloPete wrote: »

I've searched for an answer to this, not found it, and think maybe it's impossible...

An older person I know has a Huawei smartphone. The problem is he is developing dementia and really can't handle a smartphone properly - yet he insists on having one. (We got him a dumber one, but he doesn't use it).

Is it possible to lock the screens so that the app icons can't be moved?
Also prevent apps being installed or removed?

At the moment he has Sky News, BBC, CNN, RTE, Twitter, Facebook all chattering away, so that he fails to see that he has received a Text or WhatsApp message.

He would be better off with a reduced, manageable App list - if we could ensure it stays that way.

Pinch screen on which icons are on
Select Home Screen Settings
Select Lock Layout.

Job done

MenloPete

GIMP wrote: »

Pinch screen on which icons are on
Select Home Screen Settings
Select Lock Layout.

Job done

Not quite job done - it does protect the home screen to some extent, but apps can still be installed and dropped on it.