Screen lock is the barrier between your Realme phone and anyone who picks it up. It decides what someone has to do before they see your home screen, apps, messages or photos. On a phone without any lock, that barrier does not exist at all - the display wakes up and everything is instantly accessible.
Realme UI groups all lock options under Settings ➔ Security & Privacy ➔ Screen Lock. From there you choose one primary method, and depending on your device, you can layer a biometric option like fingerprint or face unlock on top of it.
The lock types available
Swipe is not really a lock - it removes the screen entirely and only requires sliding upward. It is meant for people who value speed over privacy, since anyone can open the phone.
Pattern lock asks you to draw a shape connecting dots on a grid. It is fast to draw but also the easiest method to guess by watching over your shoulder, since finger smudges on the glass can reveal the pattern.
PIN lock uses a numeric code, usually four to six digits. It offers a good balance of speed and resistance to guessing, especially with a longer code.
Password lock accepts letters, numbers and symbols. It is the strongest option against brute-force guessing but also the slowest to type every time you unlock the phone.
Biometric unlock as a shortcut
Fingerprint and face unlock do not replace your PIN, pattern or password - they work alongside it as a faster entry method. Realme phones with an in-display or side-mounted sensor let you register a fingerprint under Settings ➔ Security & Privacy ➔ Fingerprint, while face unlock is set up separately under Face Unlock in the same menu.
Both biometric methods fall back to your chosen PIN, pattern or password if the sensor fails to recognize you, after a restart, or after too many failed attempts. That fallback method still needs to be strong, since it is the real gatekeeper behind the biometric shortcut.
What screen lock protects beyond the home screen
Your screen lock also controls what appears on the lock screen itself. Notification previews, quick app shortcuts and widgets can reveal message content even before the phone is unlocked, so it is worth reviewing lock screen notification settings separately from the lock method itself.
Screen lock timing matters too. The delay before the screen locks after the display turns off - configurable near the same security menu - determines how long a lost or stolen phone stays unprotected on a table or in a bag.
Practical considerations
Always keep a backup unlock method in mind. If a fingerprint sensor gets wet or a face scan fails in low light, you fall back to the PIN or pattern, so that code needs to be one you actually remember.
Repeated failed unlock attempts trigger increasing delays or a temporary lockout on most Realme devices, which protects against automated guessing but also means you should avoid setting a lock you might forget entirely.