Access to application(s) without login.

hobbitus

Some applications, such as navigation, keep the device unlocked whilst in use. In the same time it is not practical and sometimes difficult to log in and out every time.

Therefore I am looking for way to access and use specific application(s) without log in.

Any suggestions?

Watermelon

hobbitus Try the app pinning feature. This is an Android feature, not exclusive to GrapheneOS. You first need to enable the feature in the security settings, and then you can pin an app by tapping its icon in the recent activities switcher.

ryrona

hobbitus Some applications, such as navigation, keep the device unlocked whilst in use.

I know at least Organic Maps is available on the lock screen once launched. So even if I lock the screen or it auto-locks, I can still fully use Organic Maps from the lock screen without having to enter my PIN. I would have expected all navigation apps support that, as it is a fairly useful functionality to have when on the move. Maybe there is some setting in the navigation app you use that allows changing the behavior?

hobbitus

Thank you for the suggestion.

Anyone who can touch and hold Back and Overview buttons can unpin the app. Not sure how much protection it would provide.

I am currently trying Guest account without deleting previous sessions and activity. It is a bit clumsy but that way I am able to install those few apps I want to use without need for PIN or password and does not have root/admin access.

I do not know if there is an option to share files or clipboard between user and guest, but this setup is inconvenient because what I do in one profile is not available in the other, e.g. change in navigation as guest is not accessible to user and vice versa.

Watermelon

hobbitus Anyone who can touch and hold Back and Overview buttons can unpin the app. Not sure how much protection it would provide.

Anyone can unpin the app, but you can choose the device to lock when an app is unpinned, and only you should be able to unlock it. When you enable the app pinning feature, there's a toggle to choose this.

I still wouldn't recommend relying on app pinning to give your device to people you don't trust. But this can be a way to give someone access, whereas without app pinning I'd never give access to anyone to my device even if I trust them.

hobbitus

ryrona That is indeed the function I would like to use, but I am using OsmAnd (better detailed maps for outdoor activities) and I cannot find such option, though I think "turn screen on" used to be there.
Also I think that in Developer options used to be option "Skip screen lock", which I cannot find either.

hobbitus

Watermelon I am using the device almost exclusively for maps, recording species and environments and similar activities.
Some apps do not need particular security, but others, such as records and locations, have to be well secured.
My main concern is that someone will steal the device or I will lose it, which then may allow others to access the content.
Consequently, I cannot rely on app pinning as it would allow unauthorised access.

Watermelon

hobbitus I think that in Developer options used to be option "Skip screen lock", which I cannot find either

hobbitus Some apps do not need particular security, but others, such as records and locations, have to be well secured.
My main concern is that someone will steal the device or I will lose it, which then may allow others to access the content.

You need to disable Developer Options if you want security. I strongly recommend you to disable it as soon as possible. Developer Options is never meant to be used on a device that's has or deals with anything important. It's insecure and buggy. Lots of buggy options are intentionally put there to hide them away, they're not meant to be used, they're not "expert" settings for power users, they're dangerous. Another user on this forum very recently corrupted their GrapheneOS installation with all of their personal data (requiring a factory reset from recovery mode) after they switched to a pseudo-locale which only shows up if Developer Options is enabled. The GrapheneOS team pushed the latest update to prevent that from happening again in the future, but this is still an example of how Developer Options can harm the safety of your data.

Enter the Developer Options screen and revert any changes you've made there. I recommend revoking authorizations for ADB/USB debugging as well, if you've authorized any computer previously.
Turn off Developer Options.
Reboot.