How to Lock Certain Apps on iPhone
Are you concerned about your privacy and want to restrict access to certain apps on your iPhone? Fortunately, Apple provides a built-in feature that allows you to lock specific apps with a passcode or biometric authentication. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of locking certain apps on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open Settings
To get started, unlock your iPhone and locate the Settings app. It is represented by the gear icon and can usually be found on your home screen.
Step 2: Navigate to Screen Time
In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on Screen Time. If you haven’t set up Screen Time before, you may need to go through a quick setup process.
Step 3: Enable Screen Time Passcode
In the Screen Time settings, tap on Use Screen Time Passcode. This will prompt you to set a passcode for Screen Time. Choose a secure passcode that you can remember easily but is difficult for others to guess.
Step 4: Set App Limits
After setting up the passcode, go back to the main Screen Time menu and tap on App Limits. Here, you have the option to set limits for different app categories such as Social Networking, Entertainment, Productivity, etc. Tap on Add Limit.
Note:
- If you already have an existing limit for a specific category that includes the app(s) you want to lock individually, skip Step 4 and proceed directly to Step 5.
- Setting individual app limits allows you to have more control over specific apps.
Step 5: Choose Apps to Lock
In the Add Limit screen, you will see a list of app categories. Scroll down and tap on the category that contains the app(s) you want to lock. For example, if you want to lock the Messages app, tap on Social Networking.
Step 6: Select Specific Apps
Inside the selected category, you will find a list of apps. Tap on the toggle switch next to each app that you want to lock. Once enabled, the switch will turn green.
Note:
- If an app is already locked by an existing limit, you may need to remove it from that limit before individually locking it.
- If an app does not appear in any category, it may be included under the “Other” category.
Step 7: Lock Apps with Time Limit
After selecting the desired apps, tap on Add in the top-right corner. You will be prompted to set a time limit for these apps. To lock them permanently, set a low time limit such as 1 minute or choose a custom time limit according to your preference.
Step 8: Confirm and Lock Apps
Once you’ve set the time limit, tap on Add. The selected apps will now be locked and can only be accessed by entering your Screen Time passcode or using biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID).
Congratulations! You have successfully locked certain apps on your iPhone. Now, whenever someone tries to open the locked apps, they will be prompted to enter the passcode or use biometric authentication.
Remember: To unlock the apps temporarily or make changes to the app lock settings, you will need to enter your Screen Time passcode.
By leveraging Apple’s built-in Screen Time feature, you can now have better control over your privacy and prevent unauthorized access to certain apps on your iPhone.
Additional Tip: If you want to completely restrict access to certain apps by hiding them from the home screen, you can create a folder and move those apps into it. Then, drag that folder onto another home screen page and swipe left until you reach a blank page. This way, the apps will be out of sight and not easily discoverable by others.
I hope this tutorial has been helpful in locking certain apps on your iPhone. Enjoy enhanced privacy and peace of mind!