10 Lock Screen Replacements Apps to Help You Lock Your Android smartphones

Isn't it awesome how customizable Android is compared to anything else out there? Many elements of the platform can be tweaked, ranging from under-the-hood performance adjustments to visual and user interface modifications. This post is all about the latter, bringing you 10 apps that will replace the stock lock screen on your Android smartphone. Why would anyone want to do that? Well, keep in mind that not all Android smarthphones are made equal. Many come with a lock screen provided by the manufacturer, and while some custom lock screens work fine, others aren't all that great. But these third-party lock screen replacement are among the best ones available in the Play Store. Chances are that if you aren't happy with the lock screen on your Android smartphone, a better alternative will be listed below. Go check them out and tell us in the comments which lock screen you like the most!

Active Lockscreen

Active Lockscreen provides quick, single-swipe access to essential apps, such as the dialer, the camera, and the email client. There are shortcuts to your recently contacted numbers and recently used applications as well. The app offers multiple themes to choose from.

Go Locker

From the same fine folks who brought us Go Launcher comes Go Locker – a lock screen replacement with shortcuts to the call log, the messaging app, and media player quick controls. Current weather conditions can be displayed as well. Security protection with pin or pattern is supported. Additional themes for Go Locker are available from the Play Store.

MagicLocker

We bring you one of the most downloaded lock screen replacement app on Google Play, with support for themes, shortcuts, image customization, and what not. Your security pattern should also work even with MagicLocker enabled.

Holo Locker

Holo Locker is a lock screen replacement with a minimalist, stock-ish look and feel. But at the same time, it does have several adjustments that you can tweak. For example, the status bar can be hidden or disabled while the text color can be changed. The paid version of the app has a counter for your unread emails and text messages and would let you change the background image as well.

MXLock

And here's one more lock screen replacement app offering a wide variety of cute and colorful themes to select from - MXLock. Naturally, it lets you activate the phone, SMS, and Camera apps without unlocking your device.

WidgetLocker Lockscreen

Can you guess what WidgetLocker Lockscreen offers to stand out? Yup, lock screen widgets. Actually, this Android app supported that before it was even cool. Shortcuts to apps of the user's choice can also be placed there for convenience.

Windows 8 Lock Screen

As the name implies, Windows 8 Lock Screen is meant to mimic the lock screen found on Windows-based smartphones. It displays the current date and time, along with counters for unread texts and missed calls. The background may be made transparent, in case the user wants to.

C Locker

Access your apps quickly with this versatile lock screen. C Lock is functional, good-looking, and its paid version has a number of handy features, such as RSS feed support, listing of Calendar events, reminders and more. The volume rocker can be set to skip or rewind songs playing in the music player instead of just adjusting the volume.

Sparky

What's cool about Sparky is that it offers a good selection of beautifully drawn lock screens, with shortcuts to frequently used apps and counters for missed events. But although the app will make your lock screen much prettier, it will not work with your pattern lock.

MiLocker

Last but not least, here's a lock screen replacement solution by the Miui team - MiLocker. The best thing about it is that there are many themes available from its library, designed by talented artists contributing to the Miui projects.