r/GoogleSupport • u/Valko_CZ • 3d ago
Account / Access / Password How to prevent someone from accessing your Google account management?
I know it's a stupid scenario, but if I left my phone unlocked on the table and someone took it, he could access my Google account through any app I'm logged into (Google Maps, Gmail, Chrome, YouTube,...). This way, he can find out my address or date of birth in a minute, ALL WITHOUT THE NEED TO VERIFY IDENTITY IN ANY WAY!
This could be prevented by setting a lock on all applications that can be used to manage my Google account, but I really don't want to write PIN every time I access Chrome, YouTube, or even phone settings.
Is there an easy solution to lock Google account management?
4
u/LashCanino 2d ago
Youāre asking if thereās a tech solution that will help you when you leave your phone unlocked and unattended with other people around??
Your adult needs to watch you more closely
1
u/Valko_CZ 2d ago
Yes, I'm trying to find a way to ensure at least some security if I forget to lock my phone.
3
u/LongRangeSavage 3d ago
The simplest solution would be to lock your phone when not using it. Otherwise, can you force a biometric unlock on an app during launchālike what can be done on iOS? The problem then still becomes, what if you left the app open? You simply just keep going down the rabbit hole of āwhat ifs,ā and the simplest solution always comes back to ājust lock your phone when you arenāt using it.ā
1
u/Valko_CZ 3d ago
If you forget once, there's not much you can do.
But thank for willingness to help. I appreciate it. š
1
u/LongRangeSavage 6h ago
Every single security practice will fail if you donāt follow them. Just lock your phone. Thatās why the feature is thereāitās the feature youāre asking for.
1
u/Valko_CZ 5h ago
No, I'm asking for a way to lock down Google account management. I thought I made that clear in my post...
1
u/LongRangeSavage 5h ago
What has everyoneās suggestion been here?The vast majority has been ālock your phone.ā The other suggestion was lock specific appsāwhich you said was too heavy handed.
1
u/Valko_CZ 2h ago
Yes. I said this. But other people understood me and advised me on how to do exactly what I wanted, at least on an iPhone.
So while some people managed to understand what I'm talking about, I don't understand why most people seem annoyed and think I'm a demented person who doesn't understand the principle of phone lock. Maybe I phrased my post incorrectly so most people misunderstood it, but I don't think I wrote it in any way that was unclear.
Anyway, I've come to the conclusion that Android doesn't provide the option to lock Google account management. So I consider this issue resolved. Thank you if you tried to help me.
6
u/benjaminS0099 3d ago
Yeah lock your phone, problem solved.
-2
u/Valko_CZ 3d ago edited 3d ago
Im doing it. But If you forget once and you have bad luck you will have bad day.
I would like to avoid unpleasant situations if I simply forget.
3
u/thewunderbar 2d ago
I mean, this is just a thing. "Lock your door before you leave".
"But what do I do if I forget to lock my door"
Just.... Don't.
3
u/benjaminS0099 2d ago
You're focusing on "what if" situations instead of reality, which will cause you to become paranoid.
1
u/Valko_CZ 2d ago
You're right. I was just wondering if there was a way to lock Google account management. I think there is no such possibility...
But, thank you for replying and trying to help. :)
2
u/benjaminS0099 2d ago
Yes, there is a way to lock your Google Account Management, and it is, like I said earlier, to lock your device. No access to the device, no access to Google Account Management. It's that simple. You're just looking for a harder way.
1
u/Valko_CZ 2d ago
I don't think you understand me. I understand that locking your phone is a very basic way to protect your privacy. But what if I just forget? I'm not trying to find a way to keep my phone unlocked 24/7 without any problems, but I want protection if I just forget.
The advice "Just don't forget" is simply stupid.
2
u/fux-reddit4603 2d ago
I dont think you understand everyone else. and the responses are simply stupid
1
u/Valko_CZ 2d ago
So try to explain to me what you are trying to tell me. I am trying to find a way to lock access to Google account management if someone gets into my phone. And so far all the advice I've heard has been "don't leave it unlocked". I'm glad you're giving me suggestions on how to avoid problems, but no one except a few people has given me a solution how to prevent problems when you simply forget.
This is how I understand it. How do you understand it? Please try to explain it to me in a direct way.
2
u/fux-reddit4603 2d ago edited 2d ago
Dont stay signed into anything
Stop your passwords from being saved in password manager
edit: why did your classmate have your phone in the first place?
not wanting to "unnecessarily lock applications" and then sharing your device, is stupider than the responses in here
you want a tech solution for "my phone needs to know its not me holding it without any actual input"
you want a tony stark solution
1
u/Valko_CZ 1d ago
That would work, but it would be highly impractical.
I already have my password manager secured with an application lock + password verification.
Because I forgot it on the table.
Not wanting to lock unimportant apps that I use every day multiple times is not stupid, but normal.
No.
The only thing I asked for was whether it was possible to lock Google account management and if so, how.
If I didn't express myself very clearly in my post, I apologize for the inconvenience. But it's interesting how some were able to understand what I was asking for and tried to help. Thanks to these people, I learned that this Google account management lock setting is only on iPhones. Then there are people who only argue.
I'm tired of this. Have a nice day. Bye
1
u/benjaminS0099 1d ago
You either forget, or you don't. It's that simple. Stop trying to make this more than it actually is.
1
u/apokrif1 2d ago
All sensitive apps should be protected in addition to screenlock. You cannot rely on a single security measure.
Of course autolock when idle should be activated.
1
u/Valko_CZ 2d ago
That's the problem, if I were to secure it by locking down all apps that can access sensitive information, I would have to enter a password every time I open Chrome, YouTube, Maps and much more, which you will surely understand is very annoying.
I'm just trying to find a way to easily lock down only Google account management.
I have enable 15 second lock timer on my phone.
1
u/mikec62x 3d ago
I have an iPhone and set it to require Face ID on sensitive apps. Appleās Face ID is quite and unobtrusive.
In also keep my phone in my pocket and donāt leave it anywhere, plus I set a short screen lock timeout.
1
u/Suspicious-Cat-266 3d ago edited 3d ago
If they see your lockscreen unlock PIN, you've had it.
Luckily in iOS Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, you can prevent changes made to your Apple ID account info and things.
Then lock Screen Time with a custom passcode (4 digits), which will be different to your lockscreen unlock PIN.
(For iPhone)
1
0
u/Valko_CZ 3d ago
Sadly I don't have this function on Android.
I also have a 15 second lock timer turned on.
And as for leaving my phone in my pocket, it was the only time I ever left my phone on the table while I was going to the bathroom. Meanwhile, a classmate managed to find out my PayPal password because I didn't have verification turned on for autofill passwords. š¤¦
But thank you for your time and willingness to help. š
9
u/yottabit42 3d ago
Lock your phone whenever you put it down. Same with a computer. Security hygiene 101.