Smart Mini 7 Encryption

[annoyingphone]

Hi folks,

I have a Vodafone smart mini 7 which runs Android 6 Marshmallow. I would like to encrypt the phone for obvious security reasons, but there is no option under the settings>security menu. There should be an encryption option.

Has anyone else got this problem?

Thanks.

[BandOfBrothers]

I agree @annoyingphone that security on a phone is really important from entry passwords to access the phone to passwords etc. 

May i ask what your specifically wanting to encrypt ?

There maybe Apps in PlayStore that could achieve what your wanting to do. 

Vodafone smart mini 7 User-Manual.

[annoyingphone]

Thanks for replying. I would like to encrypt the entire phone. I understand there should be an option under security settings for phone encryption, but it is not on my phone (Android 6 Marshmallow)

Yes of course I could choose an encryption app, and encrypt certain data, but I prefer the entire phone approach. I dont understand why the option isnt there?

Cheers.

[BandOfBrothers]

You're very Welcome. 

Where have you seen that such an option / feature is / should be available ?

I couldn't see anything relevant in the phones User Manual. 

If encryption was available then as your aware it should be in a similar place to > Settings > Security > Encryption > 

Every phone has its own set of security protocols and if available encryption options. 

i.e on my previous phone the s7 edge on Marshmallow then updated to Nougat the phone had built in security measures and it's the same with my Samsung Galaxy s8 on Nougat. It's built in out of the box.  

Firmware updates introduces Security Patches. 

[hrym]

Is encryption not under Settings|Storage?

[annoyingphone]

No, not there at all on the options. From the small bits I could google, seems android 6 Marshmallow is encrypted by the manufacturer (Vodfaone I guess?)

But why the option is missing, doesnt make sense. Firstly I would like to know how and when it was encrypted by the manufacturer. Do they still have the base encryption keys? how strong was the encryption etc.

As a phone user I expect to be able to choose my own encryption, and change it as I see fit.

Thanks.

[hrym]

I have devices running Marshmallow and Nougat, but both are SIM-free.   Encryption is where I suggested on those.   I remember seeing somwhere that Android included encryption as the default from (I think) Lollipop onwards.  Whether mine therefore are, I'm not sure, but, if you enable it, it demands an unlock PIN, so I'd guess it needs that before it activates.  From memory, I also think it goes through a quite lengthy encryption process after that so, again, I'd guess not out-of-the-box.   You can remove encryption by the same process.

I'd be very surprised if it's a manufacturer-activated thing and I'd assume the algorithms are part of the OS, with the PIN as the personal/local variable.

On my devices, there are separate options for the phone itself and the sd card.

[annoyingphone]

Its a mystery. My phone is password protected, but no encryption option. Oh well, thats life I suppose lol.

[hrym]

Very strange.  Next time you're passing a Vodafone shop, drop in and ask them to have a look.  They ought to be familiar with their own devices, after all.

[annoyingphone]

Yup, i will pop in and ask them. Thanks for all the replys.