App Pinning (formerly Screen Pinning) allows you to lock a specific app to the screen. This is ideal when guests are using LumaShare on your tablet or phone, as it prevents them from exiting the app or accessing your personal data.
Initial Setup: Enable the Feature in Device Settings
Before you can pin an app, you must activate the master setting within the One UI system.
Open the Settings app.
Navigate to Security and privacy.
Scroll to the bottom and tap More security settings.
Locate the option labeled Allow apps to be pinned (or Pin app on some models).
Important: Tap the text of the setting (rather than just the toggle) to enter the sub-menu.
Switch the top toggle to On.
Enable the toggle for Lock phone after unpinning.
Note: This ensures the device returns to the lock screen immediately after unpinning, requiring biometrics or a PIN to regain full access.
How to Pin an App
Once the feature is enabled in settings, follow these steps to lock an app:
Open the app you wish to pin.
Open the Recent Apps screen:
Button Navigation: Tap the Recents button (three vertical lines).
Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom and hold for one second.
Tap the App Icon located at the top center of the app's preview card.
From the dropdown menu, select Pin this app.
Tap OK on the confirmation dialogue.
How to Unpin the App
To exit the pinned app and return to normal phone functions:
Button Navigation: Press and hold the Recents and Back buttons simultaneously.
Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold.
Result: The phone will jump to the Lock Screen. Unlock your device using your PIN, Pattern, or Fingerprint to resume normal operation.
Documentation for One UI 6.0+ / Android 14+
How to Enable and Use App Pinning on Lenovo Tablets
App Pinning allows you to lock your tablet to a single application. This is ideal for kiosk setups, educational use, or when lending your device to others.
Initial Setup: Enable the Master Setting
Follow these precise steps to activate the feature in your tablet's settings:
Open Settings.
Tap Unlock and security.
Tap More security settings.
Tap the text App pinning.
Switch the toggle to On.
Important: Enable the toggle for Ask for PIN before unpinning (or Lock phone after unpinning).
Note: This ensures that once the app is unpinned, the tablet immediately requires your passcode or biometrics to regain full access.
How-to to Pin an App
Open the app you wish to lock to the screen.
Enter the Recent Apps (Overview) screen:
Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom and hold.
Button Navigation: Tap the Square (Recents) button.
Tap the App Icon (the logo) at the top of the app's preview card.
From the menu that appears, select Pin.
Tap OK or Got it on the confirmation pop-up.
How to Unpin the App
To exit the pinned state and return to normal operation:
Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold until the device jumps to the Lock Screen.
Button Navigation: Press and hold the Back (Triangle) and Recents (Square) buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
Documentation verified for Lenovo Tab series (M) with "Unlock and security" firmware.
How to Enable and Use App Pinning on Google Pixel Phones
App Pinning allows you to lock your Pixel to a single application. This prevents users from accessing your home screen, viewing notifications, or switching to other apps without your permission.
Initial Setup: Enable the Feature in Settings
On Pixel devices (Android 14+), the setting is located within a nested privacy menu.
Open the Settings app.
Tap Security & privacy.
Tap More security & privacy (near the bottom of the list).
Tap the text App pinning.
Toggle Use app pinning to On.
Critical Security Step: Ensure Ask for PIN before unpinning is toggled On.
Note: This ensures that once the app is unpinned, the phone immediately requires your passcode or fingerprint to regain full access.
How to Pin an App
Open the app you wish to lock.
Enter the Overview (Recent Apps) screen:
Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom and hold.
3-Button Navigation: Tap the Square button.
Tap the App Icon (the small circular logo) at the top of the app's preview card.
Select Pin.
Tap Got it on the confirmation pop-up.
How to Unpin the App
To exit the pinned state:
Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold until the device jumps to the Lock Screen.
3-Button Navigation: Press and hold the Back (Triangle) and Overview (Square) buttons simultaneously.
Result: The phone will immediately lock. Use your PIN, Pattern, or Fingerprint to return to the home screen.
Documentation verified for Pixel 4 series on Android 14.
How to Enable and Use App Pinning on Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO (HyperOS & MIUI)
App Pinning allows you to lock a single app to the screen, preventing the user from navigating to other apps, viewing notifications, or accessing your personal data.
Initial Setup: Enable the Master Setting
Open Settings.
Tap Face data & screen lock (or Passwords & security).
Tap Privacy.
Locate and tap Allow pinning apps.
Switch the master toggle to On.
Enable the toggle for Verify screen lock to unpin.
Note: This is the most important security step. It ensures that if someone tries to exit the app, the device immediately requires your PIN, Pattern, or Fingerprint to proceed.
How to Pin an App
Open the app you want to lock.
Enter the Recents screen:
Gestures: Swipe up from the bottom and hold.
Buttons: Tap the Square button.
Long-press on the app's preview card.
A menu of icons will appear next to the card. Tap the Pin Icon.
Note: If the icons don't appear, try tapping the App Icon at the very top of the card.
Tap OK on the system confirmation message.
How to Unpin the App
To exit the pinned state and return to normal operation:
Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold until the device jumps to the Lock Screen.
Button Navigation: Press and hold the Recents (Square) and Back (Triangle) buttons simultaneously for 2 seconds.
Documentation verified for HyperOS
How to Enable and Use App Pinning on OnePlus Devices (OxygenOS)
App Pinning (also called Screen Pinning) allows you to lock your OnePlus device to a single application. This prevents users from accessing your home screen, viewing notifications, or switching to other apps without your permission.
Initial Setup: Enable the Feature in Settings
The location of Screen Pinning settings varies depending on your OxygenOS version:
For OxygenOS 12 (OnePlus 7T and similar devices):
Open the Settings app.
Tap Password & security.
Tap System security.
Locate and tap Screen pinning.
Toggle Screen pinning to On.
Important: Enable the toggle for Ask for unlock pattern before unpinning (or Ask for PIN before unpinning).
For OxygenOS 14+ (newer devices):
Open the Settings app.
Tap Security & privacy.
Tap More security & privacy.
Locate and tap App pinning (or Pin apps).
Toggle App pinning to On.
Important: Enable the toggle for Ask for PIN before unpinning.
For OxygenOS 11 and earlier:
Open the Settings app.
Tap Security & lock screen (or simply Security).
Scroll down and tap Advanced.
Locate and tap Screen pinning.
Toggle Screen pinning to On.
Important: Enable the toggle for Ask for unlock pattern before unpinning.
Note: This ensures that once the app is unpinned, the device immediately requires your PIN, Pattern, or Fingerprint to regain full access.
Important: App pinning is only available when using Button Navigation. If you're using Gesture Navigation, you'll need to switch to button navigation first in Settings > System > System navigation > Buttons (path may vary by OxygenOS version).
How to Pin an App
Open the app you wish to lock to the screen.
Enter the Recent Apps (Overview) screen:
Button Navigation: Tap the Recents button (square icon).
Locate the app card you want to pin.
Tap the three dots (⋮) in the upper-right corner of the app card, or tap the App Icon at the top of the preview card.
From the menu that appears, select Pin.
Tap OK or Got it on the confirmation dialogue.
How to Unpin the App
To exit the pinned state and return to normal operation:
Gesture Navigation: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold until the device jumps to the Lock Screen.
Button Navigation: Press and hold the Recents (Square) and Back (Triangle) buttons simultaneously for 2 seconds.