Your Android phone has a security feature known as Android encryption that protects the data on your phone by making it impossible to read without the decryption key. Enabling this is a simple matter of navigating to “Encryption & Credentials” under your phone’s “Security & Location” settings, selecting “Encrypt Phone,” and following your device’s instructions from there.
But before you encrypt your phone, it’s important to know what exactly this process entails and how to make the most of it. Learn everything you need to know about encrypting your Android phone with this brief guide.
Always Back Up Before Encrypting
Before you encrypt your data, it’s important to back up everything to a secure server or external device. If something goes wrong during the encryption process, you could lose your data permanently. Backing up your information is a vital precautionary measure, giving you the ability to restore data if you have any issues along the way.
Understand File-Based vs. Full-Disk Encryption
One of the most important things to know about encrypting your Android phone is the difference between file-based encryption and full-disk encryption. File-based encryption has a smaller scope, only protecting individual files or directories. However, each file gets its own encryption key, giving you more precise control over the individual files you encrypt. This method is also more efficient, as it doesn’t drain resources or affect performance as much as full-disk encryption.
Full-disk encryption protects your entire device, including the operating system, under a single encryption key. This offers more robust security for your entire phone, but it also uses more resources and can cause more performance issues as a result. Both encryption methods have their advantages, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your specific needs and requirements.
Consider Some Additional Factors
Device encryption is important, but it’s not without its flaws. As we mentioned above, some encryption methods can drain resources and cause performance issues, such as lag or excessive battery drain. This is especially true for older devices with outdated processors or limited RAM.
Encryption can also cause compatibility issues with certain applications, especially customized apps or software. If you are using your phone for business and have company-specific applications on the device, make sure those applications can work with encrypted data to prevent data loss and ensure smooth performance.
At Connecta Mobile, we make finding a secure, high-performance mobile device easy. Our encrypted cell phones offer 256-bit on-device encryption to protect your data and communications. Find the right device for your needs when you visit us online today.