Borrow Mode

Macrohub

About this app

Hand over your phone—without the worry!

Borrow Mode allows you to temporarily restrict your phone to a single allowed app before handing it over to a friend, child, or colleague. Whether they need to make a quick phone call, take a photo, or look up something on a map, Borrow Mode keeps them inside that specific app. If they try to exit or open another app, Borrow Mode instantly bounces them back.

### Key Features
* **Single-App Restriction:** Choose any installed app (Camera, Chrome, Calculator, Phone, etc.) and lock the device to just that app.
* **Auto-Bounce Guard:** Uses Android's Accessibility Service to monitor the foreground app. Any attempt to leave the allowed app automatically redirects the user back to it.
* **Secure Exit:** Exit the restricted mode easily by tapping the active notification and authenticating with your fingerprint, face unlock, or device PIN/pattern.
* **Built-in Safety Nets:** The session automatically ends if the screen is turned off or when your custom auto-exit timer expires.
* **No Extra Passwords:** Relies entirely on your device’s existing system lock—no need to create or remember a separate application PIN.
* **Privacy First:** No internet connection required, no trackers, and no advertisements. Your data never leaves your device.

### How It Works
1. Open Borrow Mode and choose the app you want to allow (e.g., Google Maps).
2. Tap **Start Borrow Mode**.
3. Hand your phone to the borrower. They can use the selected app freely but cannot access anything else.
4. To exit: Pull down the notification shade, tap the active Borrow Mode notification, and authenticate using your device's biometrics or PIN.

### Permissions & Requirements
To ensure robust enforcement without root access, Borrow Mode requires:
* **Accessibility Service API:** Required to detect when the borrower attempts to navigate away from the allowed app and return them to it. No personal data is collected or shared through this service.
* **Notification Access:** Required to display the persistent notification which serves as the secure exit path.
* **Ignore Battery Optimizations:** Recommended to prevent Android from killing the guard service in the background.

*Note: Borrow Mode is designed to prevent casual snooping and accidental app-switching. It is not an unbreakable kiosk system against highly technical users.*