Help
Set up Lockwatch, troubleshoot issues, and know what to do if your phone is stolen.
Choose access
Use all features with free ad-supported access, or start a paid ad-free subscription with a 7-day trial.
Switch on detection
Enable incorrect unlock detection and confirm the email address where Lockwatch should send alerts.
Use a lock screen
If your phone does not already use a PIN, password or pattern, Lockwatch will ask you to set one up.
Test it safely
Once alert emails are set up, lock your phone, deliberately enter the wrong PIN, password or pattern, then wait more than 10 seconds before unlocking with the correct code.
Use at least 4 characters
Lockwatch only triggers when an unlock attempt contains at least four digits, password characters or pattern dots.
10-second cancellation
If the correct code is entered within 10 seconds, Lockwatch cancels the alert to avoid emails from simple mistypes.
Keep location on
Leave location enabled so Lockwatch can include the phone's location when an alert is triggered.
My phone was stolen. What should I do?
We do not have access to your phone, so we cannot locate it on your behalf.
- Check your inbox and Spam/Junk folder for a Lockwatch email. If you receive photo or video evidence, contact your local police station, who may be able to help. Do not confront anyone yourself.
- Try using the Find Hub to locate your phone. It may not work if the phone has already been powered off or had its SIM card changed.
Why am I not getting any emails?
- Make sure the phone has an internet connection. If it was offline when the alert happened, Lockwatch saves the alert locally and retries automatically once Wi-Fi or mobile data is available again.
- Check that the alert was triggered correctly: enter at least four digits, password characters or pattern dots, then wait more than 10 seconds before unlocking with the correct code.
- Check your Spam or Junk folder. If you find Lockwatch emails there, mark them as Not Spam so future emails are delivered to your inbox. Some email providers block or filter automated alerts, so trying another email address can help.
Why don't SIM change or power-on alerts include a photo or video?
Android privacy restrictions prevent apps from using the camera while running in the background. This does not affect incorrect unlock alerts, but it means SIM change and power-on alerts may not include a photo or video.
These alerts still include the event, time, GPS location, and SIM details including the phone number where available. This is an Android restriction rather than a Lockwatch bug, so it cannot be changed by the app.
What if my phone has no internet connection?
If the phone is offline when an alert is triggered, Lockwatch still captures the evidence and saves it on the device. As soon as an internet connection becomes available, Lockwatch retries sending the saved alert email.
Does Lockwatch wait 10 seconds before taking a photo?
No. Lockwatch starts capturing photo or video evidence immediately when the incorrect unlock code is entered. Photos, videos and location usually take several seconds to capture, so Lockwatch uses that time to check whether the correct code is entered. If it is, the alert is cancelled as a false alarm.
Does Lockwatch work with fingerprint or face unlock?
Android does not expose fingerprint or face unlock attempts to apps, so Lockwatch cannot trigger from biometric unlock attempts. It still works reliably when someone tries the fallback PIN, password or pattern.
Can Lockwatch turn on location services automatically?
No. Android does not allow apps to turn on location services if the user has switched them off. Make sure to leave location enabled so Lockwatch can include the phone's location in alerts.
How can I prevent alert emails from appearing on my lock screen?
You can hide email notifications from the lock screen by adjusting the notification settings for your email app (e.g. Gmail). You can also use your email app to create a filter that marks Lockwatch emails as read or moves them to another folder.
Why does Lockwatch need each permission?
Lockwatch only asks for permissions needed to detect an alert and include evidence in the email:
Why does Android say Lockwatch can erase my phone?
When you activate Lockwatch, Android may warn that Lockwatch can "erase all the phone's data". This warning appears because of the Device Administrator permission used to monitor incorrect unlock attempts. Lockwatch does not contain any code to wipe your phone, and the app does not use this capability.
Do I need a subscription to use Lockwatch?
No. Lockwatch can be used free with ads. New installs include starter access so you can set up protection first. Use all features free, then watch an ad when your balance runs low to add more protected days, or start a subscription for ad-free protection.
What if I have already purchased a subscription?
If the app is not recognising your subscription, make sure you are signed in to the same Play Store account that you originally subscribed with. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
How do I uninstall Lockwatch?
Lockwatch cannot be uninstalled while incorrect unlock alerts are turned on. Turn them off first, or use the steps below.
- Open the Lockwatch app.
- Open the Help tab.
- Tap Uninstall Lockwatch.
Need more help?
Email [email protected] with a short description of the problem, and your phone model if you know it.
