What is a device admin app?

A device admin app is an app that holds Android’s device administrator privilege, which lets it apply certain security policies and means it must be turned off in Settings before it can be uninstalled.

Android introduced the Device Administration API for workplace apps. Depending on the policies an app requests, it can, for example, set password rules, lock the screen or erase the phone. Android’s documentation states that to uninstall a device admin app, “users need to first unregister the app as an administrator”. [1] Since Android 9, some of these policies are deprecated. [1]

Why it matters on Android

Because a device admin app cannot be removed in the usual way, some monitoring apps ask for it to stay on a phone. You can see every app with this privilege in Settings: search for Device admin apps. On many phones it is under Security or Security & privacy, and menu names vary by maker. An app you did not add is worth a closer look.

How Applore uses it

• Protect from uninstall (Pro). In Advance Lock, you can make Applore a device admin, so someone else cannot quickly remove your app lock. Applore cannot wipe, lock or change your phone. While it is active, Applore is told about failed screen unlock attempts. You can turn it off at any time in Settings. The guide on stopping someone from uninstalling your app lock walks through it.
• A signal in the stalkerware check. Needs your review treats an active device admin as one warning sign, along with other signals such as a hidden icon. Applore also lets you open Android’s device admin list to review it. See why Applore asks for each permission for the full list.