When you buy an Android-based smartphone you’re making a very bold purchasing decision; the moment you hand over your hard-earned cash you’re essentially telling the world that you won’t be suckered in by Apple’s glitz and glamour and that you desire a phone which is versatile and capable, rather than a device which is all mouth and no trousers.

Assuming this to be the case, we have to wonder why an app such as Lock 2.0 exists. It’s basically a lock screen which is an almost exact replica of the one seen on Apple’s iPhone – the Android platform’s biggest and most deadly rival. Could it be that beneath the bravado, Android owners are secretly regretting their choice of phone, and that this program is shamelessly pandering to this technological insecurity?

Possibly, but it could be argued that there is a legitimate reason for Lock 2.0; while it obviously sells itself on the aforementioned iPhone mimicry, it actually performs a wide range of useful tasks, especially when you consider that the screen-lock feature currently available on Android is a little lacking (and isn’t even configured by default – you have to set it up manually from your phone’s security menu).

On its most basic level Lock 2.0 sits on top of your phone’s menu screen and features a sliding unlock mechanism, just like Apple’s. Even the most steadfast Android devotee will admit that it’s a brilliant system that prevents accidental phone use when it’s in your pocket, and we’re personally very happy that an equivalent option is now available for Google phones.

The lite version of the app gives you just one lock screen theme but if you purchase the paid-for edition then you can alter this to suit your personal preference. The app even features real-time updates, just as its Apple counterpart does; battery level is displayed, as is the time.

The top bar is initially set as a “fake” image overlay but you can choose to replace this with the Android notification bar, although this does mean that the screen isn’t fully locked as you are able to pull the bar down at any point.

Indeed, conflict with other elements of the Android OS is Lock 2.0’s biggest failing. Because it sits quite awkwardly on your menu screen and is treated as a fully-fledged app rather than a built-in portion of the operating system, Lock 2.0 can sometimes clash with your other settings and requires a lot of tinkering before you can get it to behave how you like.

Because every Android user has a setup unique to their phone, chances are the more stuff you have going on in the background the more hard work Lock 2.0 is going to be to get working properly.

Many dedicated Android users will probably give up after a few force-closes and uninstall Lock 2.0 but we imagine that these people aren’t the ones that will flock to this app anyway; Lock 2.0 is likely to be more of a hit with casual users who genuinely wish they could have an iPhone but don’t have deep enough pockets.

Lock 2.0 info

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Platform: Android

Cost: $1.99

Version:1.9

Developer: Android Apps

Website/Demo: Lock 2.0 website