How do I set a screen lock on an Xperia phone? How can I protect or lock my phone from unauthorised use?

To set up a screen lock

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application icon > Settings > Location & security > Set up screen lock.
2. Select an option and follow the on-screen instructions.

Note! It is very important that you remember your screen unlock pattern, PIN or password. If you forget this information, it may not be possible to restore important data such as contacts and messages.

Working with the screen lock pattern

To create a screen unlock pattern 

1. From the Home screen, tap the Application icon.
2. Find and tap Settings > Location & security > Set up screen lock > Pattern.
3. Follow the instructions in your phone. You are asked to select a security question that will be used to unlock the phone if you forget your screen unlock pattern.

To unlock the screen using a screen unlock pattern

1. Activate the screen.
2. Draw your screen unlock pattern.
3. If the unlock pattern you draw on the screen is rejected five times in a row, you can select to either wait 30 seconds and then try again, or to answer the security question you have selected.

To change the screen unlock pattern

1. From the Home screen, tap the Application icon.
2. Find and tap Settings > Location & security > Change screen lock.
3. Follow the instructions in your phone.

To disable the screen unlock pattern

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application icon.
2. Find and tap Settings > Location & security > Change screen lock.
3. Draw the screen unlock pattern.
4. Tap None.

Working with the screen lock PIN

To create a screen unlock PIN

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application icon.
2. Find and tap Settings > Location & security > Set up screen lock > PIN.
3. Enter a numeric PIN and tap Continue.
4. Confirm you PIN and tap OK.

To disable the screen unlock PIN

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application icon.
2. Find and tap Settings > Location & security > Change screen lock.
3. Enter you PIN and tap Continue.
4. Tap None.

Working with the screen lock password

To create a screen lock password

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application icon.
2. Find and tap Settings > Location & security > Set up screen lock > Password.
3. Enter a password. The password must contain at least one letter and must be at least four characters long.
4. Tap Continue.
5. Confirm your password and tap OK.

To disable the screen unlock password

1. From your Home screen, tap the Application icon.
2. Find and tap Settings > Location & security > Change screen lock.
3. Enter your password and tap Continue.
4. Tap None.

Working with the face unlock 

Available from Android™ 4.0 for phones with a front facing camera

To set up the face unlock feature

1. From your Home screen, tap > Settings > Security > Screen lock. 
2. Tap face unlock, then follow the instructions in your device to capture your face. 
3. After your face is successfully captured, tap Continue. 
4. Select a backup lock method and follow the instructions in the device to complete the setup. 

Note! The face unlock feature is less secure than a screen lock pattern, PIN, or password. Someone who looks similar to you could unlock your device.  For best results, capture your face in an indoor area that is well lit but not too bright, and hold the device at eye level. 

To unlock the screen using the face unlock feature

1. Activate the screen.
2. Look at your device from the same angle you used to capture your face unlock photo. 

Note! If the face unlock feature fails to recognise your face, you need to draw the backup pattern or enter the PIN to unlock the screen. 

To disable the face unlock protection

1. From your Home screen, tap > Settings > Security > Screen lock. 
2. Draw your backup screen unlock pattern or enter your PIN. 
3. Tap Swipe.