How to encrypt your iOS or Android device

The battle between Apple and the FBI has put us remember the importance of encryption (or encryption information). Whatever your opinion about it , you should not have to explain why worth protecting your personal data, and it all starts with your smart phone.

IPhones and Apple iPads and most devices Android can be encrypted, and this is what you need toknow to do it:

iOS

Apple introduced the encryption devices with iOS 8 in 2014. All that is needed to activate a security code or a fingerprint. While a four-digit password is enough, if you want to have better protection I recommend using a numerical access code or longer password.

• Go to Settings (Settings)
• Select Touch ID & Passcode (Touch ID & password), or passcode (password), in the case of older devices that do not have fingerprint reader
• Click the option Turn Passcode On (enable password)
• Enter an access code or password to be strong

Android

In the case of Android devices it is a bit more complicated. Nexus phones and tablets from Google come with standard encryption enabled. A majority of new devices that are being sold with Android 6.0 Marshmallow , such as the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge , are also encrypted. Similar to what happens with the iPhone way, all you have to do is add a security code or your fingerprint to activate.

• Go to Settings (Settings)
• Click Security (protection)
• Select Screen Lock (lock screen)
• Create a security code

However, in the case of older ones, such as the devices Moto X Pure and Galaxy S6 , you'll need tomanually encrypt them . Before starting, make sure your phone is connected to power and to complete the process could take up to an hour, depending on the amount of data stored on your device. Then create a security code using the method described above and follow these steps:

• Go to Settings (Settings)
• Select Security (security)
• Click Encrypt phone (encrypted phone)
• 
  

In the Galaxy S6 the method is slightly different. You have to go to Settings (Settings), select Lock Screen and Security (screen lock and protection), followed by Other Security Settings (other protection settings) and click Encrypt phone (encrypted phone).

You can also encrypt your SD card to keep your data safe and prevent the card from being used on another device (unless it is first deleted). Go to Settings (Settings) , select Security (protection) , followed by Encrypt external SD card (encrypt external SD card) and click Enable (activate). Unlike device encryption, which requires that you delete the phone to remove the SD card encryption can be easily reversed in the Settings menu (configuration).

Reasons not to encrypt your Android device

Encrypt your phone might seem obvious, but there are some reasons why you may want to do so. The method is slightly different on each device. Motorola, for example, lets you continue using a personal identification number (PIN) and a pattern after the phone has been encrypted, but Samsung only let you use an access code or fingerprint.

Samsung also required to enter a password each time you restart the phone. While this makes it difficult for thieves access to your data, it may be too inconvenient for some people.

In addition, the performance of your device also will be a little affected when encriptes. In recent high -end phones just noticed the change, but older or low - end models could I resent it . I recommend only encrypt recent high - end devices like the Galaxy S6, LG G4, HTC One M10, and newer versions of the same (Galaxy S7, LG G5 and others).

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