Ability to app-lock Bitdefender and Bitdefender Central app on laptop

Hi,

I am a recent convert to Bitdefender (after many, many years with Norton). I have already sought advice and answers to certain questions (and have received an answer to one of them, for which many thanks), but have another two.

The Bitdefender apps on my MacBook and my Samsung phone obviously afford access to so much of how I control and utilise my devices. I would prefer to protect access to the app on each device, but can find no way of doing it.

I am sure that I am missing something, failing to navigate to how to lock the apps, but while I can find and use the app-lock facility on the phone I can find no way of finding a way to lock the Bitdefender app itself on either the MacBook or phone; I can lock the Central app, but not the security suite app.

Second question. I have downloaded the Bitdefender Central app on my phone….but cannot find a laptop version for my MacBook. Does the latter exist?

Would be most grateful for advice, direction regarding the above.

My thanks for your time and assistance.

Dave

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Accepted answers

Alexandru_BD

Hi,

I just found this thread unanswered (I recently posted a comment on another thread you opened) and I'll do my best to provide some answers here.
So, for Bitdefender Central you can use 2FA, and this way your account can only be accessed on devices you trust. Each time you sign in to your Central account from a new device, your password and a verification code will be required. Here's more info on this:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1581/

As for the Bitdefender antivirus installed on your device, there's no actual way to lock it, however, you can restrict access to Bitdefender's settings with a password. The following article explains how to do this:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2076/

This way you can make sure that Bitdefender's security modules cannot be disabled or modified without your consent (this is especially useful if you are not the only user with access on that device). If you are the sole user, then don't worry about this. Bitdefender is capable of defending itself, so it cannot be disabled by malicious actors.

As for Bitdefender Central, visit https://central.bitdefender.com in your web browser, but I guess you already know this by now.😊

I hope this helps.

Regards

Alexandru_BD

You are most welcome.😊

Yes, I've seen this one before. App Lock includes a feature called Smart Unlock that skips PIN/biometric requests when your device is connected to a trusted Wi-Fi network. If App Lock appears to do nothing while you’re on a certain Wi-Fi, or if it turns off by itself this may be the reason and this is normal behavior.

To disable Smart Unlock and force App Lock to ask for PIN every time:

Open Bitdefender Mobile Security.
Tap the More (∴) menu in the bottom-right corner and select Settings.
Scroll down to the App Lock section.
Tap Smart Unlock, turn it off, then tap OK.
Additionally, if the preferred unlocking behavior indicates Lock after 30 seconds or Keep unlocked until screen off – tap it, select Require unlock every time and then tap OK.
Restart your phone.

Now open an app protected by App Lock to check if you’re prompted to enter your PIN or use biometrics. If the issue persists, continue with the next step.

App Lock relies on Android’s special app access: usage access to know the foreground app and overlay permission to show its unlock screen. Follow these steps to grant App Lock both permissions (Display over other apps and Usage access):

Go to Android Settings → Apps → Special app access
Tap on Display over other apps
Tap on Bitdefender Security → Allow.
This is the permission that lets Bitdefender show the PIN/biometric prompt above other apps.

Also, for usage access:

Go to Android Settings → Apps → Special app access
Tap on Usage access → Bitdefender Security → Allow.

This permission lets Bitdefender know which app is currently open so it can lock it when needed.

After enabling both permissions, test again by opening a locked app. If you are not prompted for the PIN/biometrics, move on to the next step below.
Aggressive battery optimizers on some phones can cause App Lock not working issues by stopping it from staying active. Exempt Bitdefender from battery optimizations to prevent the Android system from turning off App Lock in the background:

Go to Android Settings → Battery (or Battery and device care) → Battery optimization / Background limits → set Bitdefender to Don’t optimize or Unrestricted.
Follow this vendor-specific guide (Samsung, Xiaomi/MIUI, Huawei/EMUI, OnePlus, etc.) if needed to exclude Bitdefender from battery optimization.

If you carefully go through the steps above – disabling Smart Unlock, granting the required permissions, adjusting battery settings – App Lock should lock your apps again.

NOTE: The Android names/paths can vary slightly by phone model.

Let me know how it goes.

Regards

All comments

Alexandru_BD

Hi,

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1581/

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2076/

As for Bitdefender Central, visit https://central.bitdefender.com in your web browser, but I guess you already know this by now.😊

I hope this helps.

Regards

HOW

Hi Alexandru,

Once again, I am most grateful to you not only for the time taken and advice furnished, but for the way in which you have done so.

May I tender one further Q related to the app on my phone. The app lock facility seems to unlock from time to time. Is there an obvious reason for this and way to stop it? Currently I am going the long way round of powering down the phone and then starting it up again, which is a touch annoying.

My thanks to you.

Dave

Alexandru_BD

You are most welcome.😊

To disable Smart Unlock and force App Lock to ask for PIN every time:

Open Bitdefender Mobile Security.
Tap the More (∴) menu in the bottom-right corner and select Settings.
Scroll down to the App Lock section.
Tap Smart Unlock, turn it off, then tap OK.
Additionally, if the preferred unlocking behavior indicates Lock after 30 seconds or Keep unlocked until screen off – tap it, select Require unlock every time and then tap OK.
Restart your phone.

Now open an app protected by App Lock to check if you’re prompted to enter your PIN or use biometrics. If the issue persists, continue with the next step.

Go to Android Settings → Apps → Special app access
Tap on Display over other apps
Tap on Bitdefender Security → Allow.
This is the permission that lets Bitdefender show the PIN/biometric prompt above other apps.

Also, for usage access:

Go to Android Settings → Apps → Special app access
Tap on Usage access → Bitdefender Security → Allow.

This permission lets Bitdefender know which app is currently open so it can lock it when needed.

If you carefully go through the steps above – disabling Smart Unlock, granting the required permissions, adjusting battery settings – App Lock should lock your apps again.

NOTE: The Android names/paths can vary slightly by phone model.

Let me know how it goes.

Regards

HOW

Dear Alexandru,

Another in my stream of thanks to you for your time and guidance through the above issues.

I have followed all the instructions in the initial advice (bar: "…. preferred unlocking behavior indicates Lock after 30 seconds or Keep unlocked until screen off – tap it, select Require unlock every time and then tap OK….", which I could find nowhere on the app lock page.

Shall now wait to see if the unlocking returns and shall then go to the next set advice you furnished and follow that.

My thanks to you for the expertise and the pleasant way in which you communicate same.

Dave

Alexandru_BD

You are most welcome and let me know how it goes. If the situation persists, I can also recommend to get in touch with Bitdefender Support, for a more in-depth investigation.

Have a great weekend!