How to use app pinning on a Nothing phone (Nothing OS 4.1)

11 of 11 steps show a real screenshot from our Phone (4a) Pro. Each step was checked against the maker's own instructions, linked at the end.

Steps

1. 1

   Open Security and privacy

   Open Settings and tap Security and privacy. On ours it sits below Accessibility and above Location.

   Done
   
2. 2

   Tap More security and privacy

   Scroll down past the status cards and the Privacy group to Other settings, and tap More security and privacy: Autofill, notifications and more.

   Done
   
3. 3

   Tap App pinning

   Scroll down to the Security group. App pinning is the last row, below Trust agents. Ours said Off.

   Done
   
4. 4

   Turn on Use app pinning

   Tap the Use app pinning switch at the top. Below it, Lock device when unpinning was greyed out on ours while pinning was off. The page lists the steps: turn on app pinning, open Overview, tap the app icon at the top of the screen, then tap Pin.

   Done
   
5. 5

   Read the warning and tap OK

   A box opens: When app is pinned: Personal data may be accessible (such as contacts and email content). Pinned app may open other apps. Only use app pinning with people you trust. Tap OK, or CANCEL to leave it off.

   Done
   
6. 6

   Leave Lock device when unpinning as it is

   Use app pinning is now on, and the Lock device when unpinning switch can be used. It was off on ours and we did not use it, because the phone had no screen lock.

   Done
   
7. 7

   Open Overview and tap the app icon

   Open the app you want to pin, then swipe up from the bottom to the middle of the screen and hold to open Overview. Tap the round app icon above the card. Ours was the Clock app, on World clock.

   Done
   
8. 8

   Tap Pin

   A menu opens, headed Clock: App info, Split screen, Pin, Pop-Up View and Close. Tap Pin.

   Done
   
9. 9

   Read the sheet and tap Got it

   A sheet slides up: App is pinned. This keeps it in view until you unpin. Swipe up and hold to unpin. Personal data may be accessible, such as contacts and email content. Pinned app may open other apps. Tap Got it.

   Done
   
10. 10

    The app stays on the screen

    World clock fills the screen. On ours the status bar at the top, with the time and icons, was gone while the app was pinned.

    Done
    
11. 11

    Swipe up and hold to unpin

    To unpin, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold. On ours the message App unpinned appeared and the status bar came back. No PIN was asked: the phone had no screen lock and Lock device when unpinning was off.

    Done
    

If you do not see this option

• No App pinning row? Google says to look under Security or Security & location, Advanced, App pinning, and to ask the maker if you can't find it. On our Phone (4a) Pro with Nothing OS 4.1 it is under Security and privacy, More security and privacy. Source: Pin and unpin screens
• No Pin in the menu? Turn on app pinning first. Nothing's help gives the same order as the page on ours: turn the app pinning on, open Overview, then tap the app icon at the top of the screen and tap Pin. Source: How do I use the app pinning function?
• Lock device when unpinning greyed out? On ours it stayed grey while Use app pinning was off and could be used as soon as pinning was on. Turn on Use app pinning first.

If this does not work

• Using 3-button navigation? Google says to touch and hold Back and Overview to unpin, or Back and Home with 2-button navigation. We used gestures only. To switch: how to change navigation mode on a Nothing phone.
• Asked for a PIN when unpinning? Google says that when app pinning is on, you need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password before you can unpin, so enter it. Ours had no screen lock and asked for nothing. Set one up: how to set a screen lock.
• Swipe up only goes Home or nothing happens? A short swipe is not enough: swipe up and hold, as the App is pinned sheet says. Nothing's help says the same: at the view of the pinned app, swipe up and hold to unpin.

Good to know

App pinning is a convenience, not a lock. The warning on ours says personal data may be accessible and that the pinned app may open other apps. Nothing's help adds that if you want to securely share your device with someone, you should use a guest user instead: how to add a guest on Android.

Pick an app that cannot lead elsewhere. A game or a video player suits pinning better than a browser or a chat app, where one link can open another app.

Pinning works the same way on a Google Pixel: app pinning on a Google Pixel. OPPO needs button navigation first: app pinning on an OPPO phone. HONOR calls it Screen pinning: screen pinning on an HONOR phone. Xiaomi: pinning apps on a Xiaomi phone. For any Android phone: how to let someone use one app only.

About this guide

Device

Android

Shown on

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro (A069P, EEA), Nothing OS 4.1, Android 16 (build FroggerPro-B4.1-260907-1153-EEA)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Security and privacy › More security and privacy › App pinning: Use app pinning › OK

Real screenshots

11 of 11 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Sources

• Nothing Support: How do I use the app pinning function?
• Google Android Help: Pin and unpin screens

Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.

Spotted a mistake? Menus change with updates, and we want every step to match your screen. Email us about this page or use the contact form. We read every report, and fixes are listed on What changed.

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