How to activate a secondary profile on your cell phone and protect your data from theft

In the digital age, personal data security has become a priority. Our cell phones store access to emails, social media, bank accounts, documents, and private photos. Therefore, if you lose your phone or are the victim of a theft, protecting your information is crucial. An effective and little-known strategy is to activate a secondary or guest profile on Android. Here we explain how to do it, why it's useful, and what additional measures you can take to keep your privacy safe.

Most Android phones allow you to create multiple user profiles , similar to what you do on a computer. Each profile operates independently: it has its own apps, settings, and files. By activating a secondary profile , you can have a "safe mode" where your personal information won't appear.

This is especially useful if:

• You share your phone with other people occasionally.
• You want a clean and private environment for certain activities.
• You want to hide your information in case of theft or loss .

Enabling this feature offers you several benefits:

• Hide your main apps and files if someone accesses your phone without your permission.
• Allows you to create a “hoax profile” with common apps that don’t reveal important data.
• Reduce the risk of exposing passwords, messages, and photos.
• It's useful for dividing your cell phone between personal and work use.

While it doesn't replace other measures such as encryption or screen locks, it is an additional barrier that makes it difficult to access sensitive information.

The function may vary slightly depending on the brand of the cell phone (Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, etc.), but in general follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings on your device.
2. Find the section called “System” and then select “Multiple Users” or “Users and Accounts.”
3. Enable the “Allow multiple users” option if it is not already enabled.
4. Tap “Add User” or “Add Guest” .
5. The system will give you the option to configure the new profile. You can change its name and protect it with a different password.

When you want to switch between profiles:

• Swipe down the notification bar.
• Tap your user icon.
• Select the profile you wish to join.

💡 Tip: Set up your primary profile with a PIN or fingerprint , and leave your secondary profile with free access to basic apps (like your browser or calculator) to avoid suspicion in case of theft.

In addition to the secondary profile, there are other measures you can take to strengthen the security of your cell phone :

• Turn on device encryption : It's usually enabled by default on Android, but you can check it in Settings > Security > Encryption.
• Use biometric lock and strong PIN : Combine fingerprint unlocking, facial recognition, and a PIN of at least six digits.
• Install anti-theft apps like Google's Find My Device, which allows you to locate, lock, or erase your phone if it's lost.
• Make regular backups to the cloud or your computer so you don't lose your data if you need to wipe your phone remotely.
• Avoid storing passwords in plain text . Use a secure password manager with two-factor authentication.

Some models with older Android versions or limited customization options may not include the multi-profile feature. If this is the case, you can try these alternatives:

• Install apps like Island or Shelter , which allow you to create isolated spaces within the system.
• Use Guest Mode if available, although it offers less customization.
• Set up a second environment with duplicate apps using secure spaces that some brands include (such as “Secure Folder” on Samsung or “Second Space” on Xiaomi).

Activating a secondary profile on your phone is a simple but powerful tool for protecting your personal data from loss or theft. It's not about paranoia, but rather anticipating a scenario that, unfortunately, occurs every day. The more difficult you make it for third parties to access your information, the safer you'll be. Set up your secondary profile today and combine this feature with other security measures to protect your privacy.