The guest modeo guest modeis a particular mode available on several Android devices. It is designed to allow the creating multiple profileslimiting access to specific features, apps or content.
Thanks to guest mode users can protect your privacy even if they pass their own mobile device in someone else’s hands.
However, setting the guest mode and one or more guest profiles is just one of the options available to those who want to protect sensitive information.
Android devices are in fact equipped with different privacy features and online privacy. To which at least the main good habits should be added IT security.
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1. Why enable guest mode on Android
The reasons that may lead the user to use the guest mode (guest mode) your Android device they are multiple. But they fundamentally have to do with the protection of security and privacy.
In fact, when you change hands with your smartphone you offer the possibility of access sensitive content. The type of content varies from user to user. Just as the degree of sensitivity which pushes the individual to consider information more or less private.
Most users probably consider the protection of, if nothing else, a priority login credentials and password. If nothing else, those that allow access to services related to the management of a Bank account.
Or more generally that allow access to valuable goods: think in this sense about the access credentials to brokers or trading platforms. And the possibility of leaving more or less valuable assets in more or less reliable hands.
At the same time there are users who are particularly fond of multimedia content such as personal photos or videos. Just as there are users who perhaps do not want to make thesign up for an app or service specific.
In all these cases the guest mode can represent an excellent solution. In fact, guest mode allows you to create ad hoc userscon restricted access to the information contained within the mobile device.
The possibilities of setting and customization of the guest profile vary from case to case. While the possibility of create more userswith different access conditions.
Think in this sense of a guest profile dedicated to a minor, which could follow the principles of parental control. Or to certain ones profiles created for colleagueswhich limit access to data necessary for work.
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2. How to activate guest mode on Google Pixel
The guest mode it is not available on all Android devices. Just as it is not necessarily available on smartphone e tablet made by the same brand.
Smartphones Google Pixel they are certainly a good starting point to define some guidelines necessary to activate guest mode. In this case the procedure was performed on the model Google Pixel 8 Pro.
The first thing to do is expand the tab Quick Settings. To do this you need to slide your finger down on the screen twice. Then you need to tap ongear icon.
At this point you must first search for the name entry System and then the name entry Multiple users. Checking the latter actually activates guest mode on the device.
Per create a new profile you need to tap on the name entry Add guest. The created profile will then be enabled for the available functions and contents: for example phone callsrather than viewing the email.
Google Pixel also allows you to pass quickly from one profile to another. To do this you have to go back to Quick Settings.
If multiple profiles have been created, all of them will appear icons that represent them. To switch from one profile to another simply do tap on the icon which represents the profile you want to select.
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3. How to activate guest mode on Samsung Galaxy
Also Samsung Galaxy allows you to protect privacy by enabling guest mode. But be careful, in this case the guest mode is available only on tablets of the South Korean company and not on its smartphones: for example Samsung Galaxy Tab S9.
The first thing to do to switch to guest mode is to select the Settings menu. From here you need to tap on the name entry Account e backup. Inside it is possible to enable the presence of multiple users.
At this point you can select the named item Guest profileeffectively activating the guest mode. This profile can also be removed from the viewing screen.
Samsung Galaxy comes with some shortcuts that allow you to start a guest profile without going through the classic Settings.
In this case you need to open the panel dedicated to Quick Settings. Then you need to tap on the icon dedicated to users and then select the entry named Guest.
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4. Other ways to protect your privacy on Android
Beyond guest mode, the smartphone Android offer several avenues for improve the level of protection of your privacy.
The first is definitely setting a PIN to unlock the screen. Likewise it is possible filter notifications and sensitive contentso that they do not appear if the screen is locked.
Another way to protect private information on Android smartphones is to hide certain applications. For example those that contain information banking or healthcare.
Finally, Android smartphone owners would do well to follow some of the most important ones good cybersecurity practices.
For example avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi and then share sensitive personal data. But also avoid downloading software or apps outside of the Play Store or the official stores of trusted manufacturers.
Furthermore, it is certainly advisable to constantly update the device and equip it with a antivirus per Android. Performing continuous scans is in fact an excellent method for identifying potential threats to your privacy. But also malicious files that would risk compromising the device.
to know more: Android, operating system features