Guide on how to lock apps on iPhone with a password, Face ID, or Touch ID

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The right to privacy is inherent to everyone. However, in today’s world, where the average American is virtually tethered to their cell phone around the clock, safeguarding personal information stored on these devices becomes crucial. To ensure your privacy remains intact, mastering the art of locking apps on your iPhone through the use of passwords, Face ID, or Touch ID is imperative.

How to Secure iPhone Apps:

Thankfully, there are multiple avenues available for locking iPhone apps with the added layers of security provided by passwords, Face ID, or Touch ID. Below, we outline various methods, along with step-by-step instructions:

1. Utilizing Screen Time:

If your iPhone operates on iOS 12 or later, the Screen Time feature can be employed to lock apps effectively. This feature enables you to secure nearly all your apps (excluding Settings and Phone) with ease. To set it up:

a. Navigate to Settings and locate Screen Time. b. Tap on “App Limits.” c. Select “Add Limit.” d. Choose to lock “All Apps and Categories” or individual apps. e. Proceed by setting a time limit (optimal: 1 minute) and, if desired, enable a password for specific apps and select specific days for the limit to apply. f. Complete the process by tapping “Add.”

Following these steps, your iPhone apps will automatically lock after 1 minute of inactivity, enhancing your personal content’s privacy.

2. Employing Guided Access:

For iPhone models starting from iPhone 5 and later, Guided Access is a useful feature. It allows you to lend your phone while restricting access to all but one designated app, making it ideal for situations like allowing children to play games without compromising security. To activate it:

a. Access Settings and go to Accessibility. b. Tap “Guided Access.” c. Enable the feature by toggling the switch at the top. d. Set a Guided Access passcode by navigating to “Passcode Settings” and tapping “Set Guided Access Passcode.” e. Input your passcode twice to secure it. Optionally, enable Face ID to disable Guided Access upon your return. f. Open the app you wish to grant access to. g. Triple-click the side button. h. Select “Guided Access” and tap “Start.”

To conclude Guided Access, simply triple-click the side button again or use Face ID if configured during setup.

3. Using Face ID or Touch ID:

For those who prefer not to use Screen Time or Guided Access, locking apps on iPhone using Face ID or Touch ID is straightforward. Here’s how:

a. Access Settings and tap “Face ID & Passcode” (or “Touch ID & Passcode” for devices with Touch ID). b. Enter your passcode to proceed. c. Under “Use Face ID For” (or “Use Touch ID For”), toggle the switch for each app you want to lock using Face ID or Touch ID. d. For Face ID, select “Other Apps” and enable Face ID access as desired. e. For Touch ID, toggle the apps you wish to unlock with Touch ID.

Securing the App Store and iTunes:

Your Apple App Store and iTunes accounts, essential for purchasing and downloading content, also require safeguarding. Prevent unauthorized access by enabling a passcode:

a. Launch Settings. b. Tap your name at the top. c. Choose “Media & Purchases.” d. When prompted, tap “Password Settings.” e. Select “Always Require Password” or “Require After 15 Minutes.” f. Toggle the “Require Password” setting at the bottom.

This setup ensures that only authorized individuals can make purchases.

Third-Party App Caution:

While it is possible to employ third-party apps to lock iPhone apps, proceed with caution. Most of these apps necessitate jailbreaking your phone, a risky practice that leaves your device vulnerable to hacking, malware, and other threats. It also hinders security updates and prevents you from running the latest iOS version.

For most users, Apple’s built-in security features provide sufficient protection. Alongside locking apps, consider using apps that enable you to secure specific content with passwords, ensuring stringent protection for sensitive information. Safeguarding your data and maintaining privacy remains a top priority in the digital age.