Hide Phone From Honorlock
If you are taking an Honorlock-proctored exam, do not try to conceal a phone from the camera or monitoring. Check the exam’s written rules, ask your instructor or proctor about anything unclear, and follow the approved steps for storing the device. If you need phone access for an emergency, medical, or accessibility reason, arrange permission before the exam begins.
When I help people prepare for an online exam, the phone question often comes up at the last minute: “Can I just put it out of sight?” That is not a safe way to decide. A phone can create a problem even when you do not plan to use it, and hiding it can make an unclear situation look like deliberate rule-breaking.
The right goal is not to keep a phone out of monitoring. It is to follow the specific exam rules and keep the session clear and honest. Honorlock instructions and school policies can differ, so a rule from one exam may not apply to another. Use the steps below to confirm what is allowed before you start.
Check the Exam’s Phone Policy
The exam’s written instructions are the starting point for deciding what to do with your phone. Look for a direct rule about whether phones are banned, allowed, or required for a specific purpose. Do not treat silence, airplane mode, or placing a phone outside the camera’s view as proof that it is permitted.
Read the full exam notice, not just a reminder about Honorlock. The phone rule may appear in the course page, exam directions, instructor message, or proctoring setup. Check for details about where the device must be, whether it must be powered off, and what to do if you need it for an approved reason.
If the rules say phones are prohibited, follow that instruction even if you think the device will not be visible. A phone left nearby can still ring, vibrate, light up, or cause uncertainty during a room scan. Do not try to make it less noticeable instead of following the rule.
Use this quick check before the exam:
- Find the exam’s current instructions.
- Search for words such as “phone,” “mobile device,” “cell,” or “communication device.”
- Note any stated storage location or power requirement.
- Check whether emergency, medical, or accessibility needs are addressed.
- Save the instructions so you can refer to them if needed.
A rule that says “no phone use” may not answer where the phone should be stored. If that is your situation, do not guess. Ask the instructor or proctor before exam day and keep the answer.
Resolve Ambiguities and Required Exceptions
An ambiguous policy is one that does not clearly say whether a phone may be in the room, where it should go, or how an approved exception works. Resolve that uncertainty before opening the exam. A short written question can prevent a stressful interruption and gives you a clear instruction to follow.
Ask a specific question rather than relying on general guidance. For example: “The instructions do not say where my phone should be during the exam. Should I leave it outside the room, or is another location approved?” If your concern is medical, accessibility-related, or tied to an emergency contact, say so and ask what process to use.
Make the request early enough for the school to respond. Do not wait until the timer has started. If the answer is not clear, ask for clarification instead of deciding that a convenient option must be acceptable.
| Situation | What to do before the session | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|
| Instructions clearly prohibit phones | Follow the stated storage and power directions | That silent mode makes the phone acceptable |
| Instructions do not mention phones | Ask the instructor or proctor for written guidance | That no rule means any location is allowed |
| A phone is needed for an approved accommodation | Get the arrangement documented and confirm the exam procedure | That a personal explanation during the exam will be enough |
| An emergency contact may need to reach you | Ask how the school wants that handled | That a phone can remain nearby without permission |
| The phone is present by mistake | Tell the proctor and follow their direction | That hiding or moving it during the session will solve the issue |
Keep the reply where you can find it, but do not use it to override later instructions shown for the exam. If the written exam rules and the proctor’s directions seem to conflict, pause and ask for clarification before proceeding.
Store the Phone as Instructed
Phone storage means placing the device in the location the school or exam instructions approve. It does not mean hiding it from Honorlock. If phones are prohibited, power the device off and leave it outside the exam area, or use another location only if the institution explicitly approves it.
First, confirm the required location. “Outside the exam area” could mean a different room or another place specified by your school; do not invent a precise rule if none is given. If you share a home or cannot use the suggested location, ask for an approved alternative before the exam.
Next, follow any stated power instructions. If you are told to power the phone off, do so before the session. Silent mode, do-not-disturb, or airplane mode is not a substitute unless the exam’s instructions expressly allow that arrangement. These settings may not prevent every alert or explain why the phone is present.
Avoid moving the phone after the exam starts unless the proctor directs you to do so. If you notice it is in the room, say so promptly and ask what to do. Do not conceal it, block the camera, alter the room scan, or try to disable monitoring.
A simple preparation routine can help:
- Read the phone rule before exam day.
- Confirm the storage location and any power requirement.
- Put the phone there before you begin the room scan.
- Keep it there for the full session unless an approved procedure says otherwise.
- If a problem occurs, tell the proctor and follow their instructions.
This process is less about finding a clever place and more about removing doubt. The approved location is the one your institution tells you to use.
Verify Compliance Before Starting
A compliance check is a final review that your setup matches the exam’s directions. It includes the phone’s approved location, any documented exception, and an honest room scan. It is not a test of how well you can keep a device out of view.
Before starting Honorlock, read the on-screen prompts and follow them as written. Complete the room scan honestly. Do not omit an area, misrepresent what is in the room, or alter the camera view to avoid showing something the instructions require you to disclose.
If a prompt appears to require a step that conflicts with your approved accommodation or the instructor’s written directions, stop and ask for help before proceeding. Do not improvise. Keep the response from the instructor or proctor available in case you need to explain the approved arrangement.
If a phone alert happens during the exam
An unexpected call, message, or emergency alert can disrupt a session even if you did not touch the phone. What to do depends on the exam rules and the proctor’s directions. Do not reach for the device or try to hide what happened. Tell the proctor as soon as you can and follow their instructions.
If you need phone access for health, disability, caregiving, or emergency reasons, arrange that access in advance. Ask the school what documentation or process is required and how the proctor will be told. Approval should be clear before the exam, not based on a last-minute explanation.
Practical examples
These examples show how to apply the process. They are not official Honorlock rules, and your exam instructions take priority.
- The directions say no phone in the room. The student powers it off and puts it in the location specified by the school before beginning the room scan.
- The directions do not say where the phone goes. The student asks the instructor or proctor and waits for a clear answer instead of leaving it nearby by default.
- The student needs a phone for an approved medical or accessibility reason. The student contacts the school before the exam, gets the arrangement documented, and follows the approved procedure.
- A phone is found in the exam area by mistake. The student reports it promptly and follows the proctor’s direction rather than moving or concealing it without explanation.
The common point is simple: make the rule clear before the session, then follow it openly. If you are unsure, ask before starting.
Conclusion
You do not need a hidden storage trick to handle a phone during an Honorlock exam. You need a clear reading of the exam rules, written guidance for anything unclear, and an honest setup that follows the approved instructions. If an exception is needed, arrange it in advance and keep the approval available.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my phone in the room if it is turned off?
Only if the exam instructions or your institution explicitly allow it. If the rule is unclear, ask the instructor or proctor before starting.
Does silent mode make a phone acceptable?
No. Silent mode does not establish permission. Follow the stated phone rule and ask if it does not explain where the device belongs.
Is airplane mode enough?
Do not assume so. Airplane mode is a device setting, not approval to keep a phone in the exam area.
Where should I put my phone during an exam?
Use the location named in your exam instructions. If no location is given, ask the instructor or proctor for an approved one.
What if I need my phone for a medical or accessibility reason?
Contact your institution before the exam and request an approved arrangement. Confirm how the proctor will be informed and what steps you should follow.
What if I need a phone available for emergencies?
Ask the instructor or proctor how to handle emergency contact before the session. Do not assume you can keep the phone nearby without approval.
What should I do if I notice my phone during the room scan?
Do not try to hide it or misrepresent the room. Tell the proctor and follow their direction.
What if my phone receives an alert during the exam?
Notify the proctor as soon as you can and follow their instructions. Do not reach for or conceal the phone unless the approved procedure directs you to act.
Can I move my phone after the exam has started?
Do not move it on your own if the rules do not allow that. Tell the proctor what happened and ask for direction.
What if the on-screen prompt conflicts with my approved exception?
Pause and contact the proctor or instructor before proceeding. Explain the conflict and follow the clarification you receive.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Robert Kensington. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
