How To Lock Apps On iPhone With A Password Or TouchID?

If you have nosy siblings or friends, then looking out for how to lock apps on iPhone is not an alien thing. Also, that is why you are here right now. The iOS is well known among global users for its exceptional privacy and security features. So the good news is that there are many easy ways you can protect your app data via app lock in iPhone. Hope into this guide to find out your options.

Also Read: How To Use Remote Mouse App With Windows/Mac Computer

How To Lock Apps On iPhone?

Now, let’s explore all the available methods to lock apps on iPhone.

Method 1: iPhone First-Party

iOS doesn’t have built-in system-level support for locking apps individually. So, at the moment, the ability to lock apps individually remains limited. But you can always use the screen time function to lock apps on your iPhone.

Follow the steps below to lock the first-party applications on iOS

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Go to the Screen Time tab, enable it, and head to the Content and Privacy Restrictions section.
3. Now tap on the Allowed Apps option and turn off toggles for all the apps you do not want to use.
4. Head back to the home screen to save the settings.

Also read: How To Add Emojis On Macbook And Windows?

Hiding Apps on iPhones (iOS 11 or older)

For iPhones with iOS 11 or older, there isn’t a built-in app lock for iPhone. However, you can use Restrictions to hide apps from your home screen. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
2. Scroll down and tap Restrictions.
3. Tap Enable Restrictions and create a passcode (different from your phone’s unlock code). Remember this code, as you’ll need it to unhide apps later.

Here’s the catch: Restrictions can only hide Apple’s built-in apps, not downloaded ones.

1. With Restrictions enabled, scroll down to the Allowed Apps section.
2. To hide an app, tap the toggle switch next to the app name to turn it off (white). The app icon will go invisible from your home screen.

Important: To use them again, you’ll need to re-enable them in Restrictions. This might not be ideal for everyone.

Also Read: How To Recall A Message Sent On WhatsApp: Undo Your Mistakes!

Method 2: Using Screen Time Limits Feature

This feature on iPhone let’s you put a limitation on the amount of time you should be spending on that specific app. This is mostly useful for social media apps. But it can also be used for locking out apps. If you regularly have a specific time frame to use an app, you can set a limit. Post reaching the daily time limit, when you leave your phone unattended, your app remains locked away and can only be opened with your set Screen Time passcode.

You can also use the time limits feature introduced in iOS 12 to lock apps on the iPhone.

1. Go to the Settings app and open the Screen Time tab.
2. Then go to the App Limits section and tap on the Add Limit option.
3. The app will present you with a list of apps, and you need to decide on which apps to restrict access to; tap on the checkbox button to the left of the app category that you want to restrict, such as Social Networking.
4. You can restrict only certain apps under a category by tapping through the category.
5. Choose a time limit for the use of the app category; you can set a time limit for the benefit of that app category and customise the days that you want this restriction to be active; tap on the Add button to save the settings.

Also read: Instagram Status Download With 3 Free and Simple Methods!

Once the predefined time limit is set, the app gets locked, and you can always extend the time limit by clicking on “Ask for More Time” and entering the passcode to disable the lock.

Method 3: Using Guided Access

The most extreme way to lock your apps is to use Guided Access. Guided Access is another option for nuclear app lock in iPhone that prevents you from leaving the app you have already opened. This can come in very handy when you have to give your phone to another user for a particular app on your phone, but you are worried that they might venture elsewhere without authorisation.

Here is how to enable guided access to lock apps on iPhone:

1. To enable Guided Access, head over to Settings and select Accessibility
2. Now select Guided Access and enable the toggle.
3. Now head over to Passcode Settings and set Guided Access Passcode.

Also read: 5 Best Poki Games You Can Play For Free

The lock apps on the iPhone guided access feature are pretty cool. It lets you lock your device to use a single particular app. To enable the Guided Access feature, triple-press the power button or the touch ID to enable it in any app. This feature works because it locks the device to a single app. So, it comes in handy when handing your phone over to your friends or family. But you are worried that they peep into other apps and check your text messages or your Instagram.

Again, triple-press the power button or touch-id to end the guided mode, enter the secure password and click on End at the top right.

Also Read: How To Share A Google Calendar: A Step-By-Step Guide!

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

There is no official third-party app lock in iPhone that allows users to lock any app on the iPhone, unlike we have tons of apps for this on Android. The best way is to install third-party apps such as BioProtect, Locktopus, and AppLocker. These apps are only supported on Jailbroken iPhones. We are not recommending using these apps or the whole process of jailbreaking the iPhone as it’s only for advanced users. But still, if you want, you can try these out.

Also read: Play Sudoku Online: 5 Best Websites To Play The Game For Free

How To Lock Apps On iPhone Using Face ID Or Touch ID?

Now, let’s look at the steps which you can follow:

1. Open Settings on your device.
2. Tap Face ID & Passcode.
3. Enter your passcode.
4. In the “Use Face ID For” section, turn on Face ID for each app you want to lock.
5. Go to “Other Apps” and turn on Face ID for the apps you want to allow access to.

If you want to use touch ID, use the same method as mentioned, and it will get the job done.

Also Read: WhatsApp Emoji Meaning: Types Of Emojis & What Do They Mean

FAQs

Q: How Do I Lock Apps On iPhone?

A: To know how to how to lock apps in iPhone, you can use several methods. One way is to utilize the built-in Screen Time feature by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions. Another option is to set time limits for app usage in Settings > Screen Time > App Limits. Additionally, you can use the more extreme Guided Access feature in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.

Q: Does iOS Have A Built-in App Lock Feature?

A: iOS doesn’t have dedicated system-level support for individually locking apps. However, you can use workarounds like Screen Time limits, Guided Access, or third-party apps to achieve similar functionality.

Q: Can I Lock First-party Apps On An iPhone?

A: Yes, you can restrict access to first-party apps on iPhone using Screen Time. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps, then turn off toggles for the apps you want to lock.

Q: Are There Third-party Apps To Lock Apps On iPhone?

A: While there are third-party apps like BioProtect, Locktopus, and AppLocker available for Jailbroken iPhones, they are not recommended due to the advanced nature of Jailbreaking. For non-jailbroken iPhones, workarounds like Screen Time and Guided Access are more secure options.

Q: Does iPhone Have Hidden Folder?

A: iPhone does not have a dedicated hidden folder feature, but you can hide your private photos and videos in the Photos app. You can head over to Photos and then select the photos the photo you wish to hide. Click on the three-dot menu and choose Hide to add your selection to the hidden album.

Q: How Do I Lock My Notes On My iPhone?

A: To lock a note and make it private, open the Notes app on your iPhone and choose the Note that you wish to lock. Press the More button, and you can create a unique password for the Notes app or use the iPhone Passcode.

Q: How Do I Lock WhatsApp On iPhone?

A: To protect your WhatsApp chat, open the app and head over to the Settings tab in the bottom right corner. Click on Privacy and choose the Screen Lock option. Here, you need to toggle the “Require Face ID/Require TouchID” toggle to ON and select the duration.

At Last,

After setting a password with one or more notes, it is necessary to reset your Notes passwords if you do not remember them. If you’re having trouble resetting your Notes password and enabling Touch ID at the exact moment, check out this instruction. Please follow the instructions below if this is your first time.

With the introduction of methods on how to lock apps in iPhones like Touch ID, the Notes application is now secure. This gives you full access to the Notes app’s features. All the while also giving you peace of mind, knowing that no one else can see what you’ve written. Your iPhone’s Settings are where you may activate Touch ID for the Calendar app.

Did you know that refurbished mobile phones cost almost 50 per cent less than new phones on Cashify? You also get other discounts, No-cost EMI and more, making it the most affordable way to buy a premium phone. So, what are you waiting for? Buy refurbished mobile phones at your nearest cashify store and avail exclusive offers.