App Lock on the Realme 16 is meant to keep your private apps secure, but it can sometimes stop working without warning. You open a locked app, and it launches normally, or the lock screen fails to appear. This usually points to permission issues, background restrictions, or a setting that was changed accidentally. The fixes below walk you through the most reliable ways to restore App Lock and make it work properly again.
Why App Lock Is Not Working on Your Realme 16
- App Lock is disabled or not fully configured.
- Required permissions were revoked after a system update.
- Battery optimization is restricting App Lock in the background.
- The App Lock service stopped running properly.
- A temporary system glitch is preventing the lock screen from appearing.
1. Make Sure App Lock Is Enabled
App Lock will not work if the feature itself is turned off or reset. Checking this first saves time before moving on to deeper fixes.
Open Settings, and then tap Privacy.
Tap App Lock, and confirm the feature is switched on.
Verify that the apps you want protected are toggled on.
2. Recheck App Lock Permissions
App Lock needs special permissions to appear over other apps. If these permissions are removed, the lock screen will not show up.
Open Settings, and then tap Privacy.
Tap App Lock, and then open Permission settings.
Allow all required permissions, especially display over other apps.
3. Disable Battery Optimization for App Lock
Battery saving features can stop App Lock from running in the background. This makes it seem like the feature is broken when it is simply being restricted.
Open Settings, and then tap Battery.
Tap App battery management, and find App Lock.
Set it to Allow background activity or No restrictions.
4. Restart App Lock Service
Sometimes the App Lock service freezes in the background. Restarting it refreshes the feature without affecting your apps or data.
Open Settings, and then tap Apps.
Tap App management, and find App Lock.
Tap Force stop, then reopen App Lock from Settings.
5. Restart Your Phone
A quick reboot clears temporary system issues that may block App Lock from triggering. This step often fixes the issue immediately.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
Tap the Power icon, and then tap Restart.
After the phone boots up, test App Lock again.
6. Reset App Lock and Set It Up Again
If App Lock still fails, resetting it can remove corrupted settings. You will need to reselect the apps you want to protect afterward.
Open Settings, and then tap Privacy.
Tap App Lock, and reset the feature if available.
Set a new password or biometric lock and readd your apps.
App Lock issues on the Realme 16 are usually caused by background limits or missing permissions. Once those are corrected, the feature should immediately start protecting your apps again as intended.
FAQs
Why does App Lock work sometimes but not always?
This usually happens when battery optimization temporarily shuts down the App Lock service. Disabling restrictions fixes the inconsistency.
Does restarting my phone remove my App Lock settings?
No. Restarting only refreshes system services and does not delete your App Lock configuration.
Can system updates break App Lock on Realme phones?
Yes. Updates can reset permissions or background rules, which is why checking App Lock settings after an update is important.
