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One way of ensuring more privacy in your iPhone, without a doubt, is locking your apps. Surprisingly, some still wonder if it is possible to lock apps on iPhones. There are several ways to lock apps on iPhone; some are straightforward with limited options, while others are much more advanced.
You can lock apps on your iPhone by setting screen time or without screen time. Furthermore, you can use third-party apps that help lock apps and manage screen time. An excellent example of these apps is the AirDroid Parental Control app, which can manage screen time and lock different apps or websites.
So, if you need to learn how to lock apps on your iPhone with a passcode or without screen time, then keep reading.
The easiest way to lock apps on iPhone is using Screen time. You can follow the below steps to complete it.
It is essential to note that you can lock apps on your iPhone using or without screen time. To help you understand this, we will explain both methods and which is the best for you.
The Screen Time feature that helps you lock your apps is available in iOS 12 and later. This method only allows you to lock the first-party apps (apps that Apple creates). Therefore, if you have other apps from other software makers, you won't be able to lock them.
And so, if you're going to use this option, then here is how to do it,
Head over to Settings.
Go to Screen Time.
Turn on screen time, select Use Screen Time Passcode.
Set a Screen Time Passcode with a four-digit number.
You're done; you can now go back to Screen Time to set App Limits to lock apps.
What if you are using something other than iOS 12 or later? How can you lock your phone apps? Well, to lock your apps, follow the steps below.
Alternatively, you can lock the app by setting time limits. This method is relatively easy and effective as the ones shown above. To fix time limits for apps, follow these steps:
Open Settings.
Navigate to Screen Time.
Then tap on App Limits.
Click on Add Limit, enter your screen time passcode to set daily time limits for apps.
While on the list of apps, you must select which apps to restrict access by tapping the check box button. This button is situated to the left of the app category you plan to lock, for example, the Social Networking category.
After choosing the app, you will have to set a time limit in which that app will be used. For example, you can select 1 hour or customize the days you want the restriction of that app to last.
Besides the options already shared above, you can also opt for another option to lock apps on your iPhone, which is using Guided Access. It can help you lock apps without screen time.
Guide access is an option to lock you within one app and prevent you from leaving that app. For example, your friend wants to use your phone to make a call, but you are afraid they might start venturing elsewhere. So, to prevent them from doing so, you can use this feature and restrict their access to only one app.
Note: This feature works only on iOS 11 or newer, and to activate it, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Then tap General and head to Accessibility, then Guided Access.
Step 3: However, if you're using iOS 13, you can navigate from Setting > Accessibility, then Guided access.
Step 4: Turn on the Guided Access toggle by swiping the toggle right (to the green position).
Step 5: Afterward, head to Passcode Settings and click Set Guided Access Passcode.
Once all these are set, you can turn on Guided Access at any time once the app has started by simply pressing the home button three times or the side button three times (depending on the phone you're using).
When the guide access screen starts, you must draw a circle covering the places you need to disable. It can cover the entire screen, half or none of it. Keep in mind that this option can only last 24 hours while active.
You can follow the steps below to use face ID to lock your apps on your iPhone.
Step 1: Start by opening "Settings app" on your phone.
Step 2: Tap on Face ID & Passcode.
Step 3: After that, enter your secret iPhone passcode. If you don't remember your passcode troubleshoot by clicking forgot your passcode.
Step 4: Click "Other Apps" to select the apps you want to lock using Face ID.
Step 5: Enable face ID on the app you want to lock by clicking on the toggle (to turn green).
That's all you need to lock your apps with Face ID on your iPhone.
There is a built-in Shortcuts app in iOS 13, and later, you can create a shortcut for any app you want to lock and then add passcodes to each shortcut. What will appear on your screen will be shortcuts that have been saved as bookmarks, and those apps can only be accessed by entering the right passcode. However, you have to hide the actual app to ensure your shortcuts work effectively.
So, follow these steps to lock your apps on your iPhone with shortcuts:
Step 1: Start by opening "Shortcuts" to initiate the setup process. From the "My Shortcuts" or "Shortcuts" tab, add a new shortcut. Create the shortcut and name it the app you want to hide and lock. We will take Snapchat as an example.
Step 2: Tap "Add action" in the editor and search for "Ask for Input." Tap "Text" in the new action box to see the available options (text, number, URL, date, time and date & time). Use either to set security that will help secure your locked-ups. Tap "Prompt" to explain that, for example, "enter passcode, or enter date and time."
Step 3: Now go back to "Add Action," then add the "If" action, then tap "Condition" in the "If" action box. After that, select "is" and add a passcode by tapping "Number."
Step 4: To finalize the setup, add the "Open App," then place it between the "If" and "Otherwise" actions. In the action box, click "App" to select the apps you want to lock.
You can try this option if you are using iOS 11 and earlier and want to lock first-party apps.
Step 1: Head over to Settings.
Step 2: Tap General, then scroll down to Restrictions.
Step 3: Tap on it, then select Enable Restrictions.
Step 4: Once prompted, you will be required to enter the passcode (twice to confirm).
Step 5: After that, several options will present to you. In the Allow section, you can turn off all the apps you don't want showing up on your screen by turning off the toggle switches.
Even though each new iOS version is packed with various features and updates, plenty of users still rely on previously launched iPhones. Such as (iPhone SE, and iPhone 8 | 8 Plus), and there is still no compromise on Apple's privacy. You can easily use Touch ID to lock iOS 11 or earlier iPhone applications. Here's how to lock apps on iPhone with fingerprint.
Step 1: Before you using Touch ID to lock apps, you need to set up your Touch ID by inputing your fingerprint on your iPhone.
Step 2: Open Settings and select Touch ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode.
Step 3: Turn on the toggle switches for the apps you wish to lock with Touch ID.
So, is there an app to lock apps on iPhones? While numerous third-party applications are available to lock apps on iPhone, some are free, while others require a subscription. Here are two acclaimed and trusted third-party apps you can use to lock apps on your iPhone, along with steps to use them.
When choosing a third-party app to lock apps on iPhone, there are a few things to keep in mind, such as Compatibility & features. Make sure that the app is compatible with your iPhone model and operating system simultaneously. Consider the crucial features to you, such as privacy protection, the ability to lock individual apps, set time limits, and create custom passcodes.
Google Smart Lock is an efficient app that simplifies security and privacy on Android and iOS devices and saves you time. The application is readily available on the Apps Store and works perfectly to lock applications on iOS devices.
Here are some of the ways Google Smart Lock can help you lock apps on your iPhone:
The AppLocker app on the iPhone and Mac is often used to protect individual apps using a strong password. The program is easy to use and does not require hectic configuration. With AppLocker, you only need to add a passcode and choose the apps you wish to protect. The application allows you to lock any app on your iPhone, including social media, messaging, and banking apps. You can also use AppLocker to hide apps from the app drawer so no one can see them.
AppLocker uses a variety of security features to keep your apps and data safe. You can lock apps with a PIN, password, or fingerprint. You can also set up AppLocker to lock apps automatically after a certain amount of time.
To use AppLocker, you must download the app from the App Store. Once you've downloaded the app, open it and follow the instructions on the screen.
With the growing use of smartphones, especially among children, Apple has implemented long-awaited parental control features to manage screen time and lock specific apps. This is an impressive step forward, but there are still some limitations.
Still, Apple native parental control features conveniently limit your child's screen time and protect them from viewing inappropriate content. Suppose you're still wondering, “Can you lock certain apps on iPhone” to control your child's iPhone usage? In that case, you must try out some third-party apps such as AirDroid Parental Control, AppLocker, and Google Smart Lock.
After you've set up App Limits to lock your favorite apps, you can select "Ask for More Time" to access them anytime. You'll need to verify through your Passcode or Face ID to unlock it for 15 minutes, an hour, or the rest of the day. Remember you cant lock it again once the time is approved.
Now, if you need to lock apps on Android from your iPhone, then using third-party app locks will be the best option. For this option, there will be countless apps that you can use to do this. The best app I can recommend that is iOS-compatible is the AirDroid Parental Control app.
The parental control tool includes limiting application use on any paired device. With this app, you can set time limits for using a special app. For example, if you set time limits like 1 hour daily, the app will be locked automatically after 1 hour of use. Also, you can set up inaccessible for some time, like bedtime, dinner, study, or even never accessible.
This option is valuable because it helps prevent kids from accessing certain apps that might be detrimental to them. You can also use it to manage your or your kid's daily social media use, which is beneficial in ensuring healthy digital habits.
Additionally, this app does more than that. For example, tracking location, tracking social media use, tracking data use, remote monitoring, and more. It is easy to use and affordable (with a free trial) and helps you monitor multiple devices simultaneously.
There are reasons people might want to lock their apps. You may want to keep your banking information secure or have some private or sensitive work documents that you don't want anyone to stumble upon accidentally.
Whatever the reason, you can go about locking your apps in a few different ways.
You can use a third-party app lock, which is a separate app that you can use to lock other apps on your phone. Or you can use your phone's built-in app lock, usually found in the security settings. Whichever method you choose, set a strong password or PIN code that will be difficult for someone to guess.
Your iPhone is a valuable device that contains a lot of personal information. It's essential to secure your iPhone and protect your privacy. With all the data collected on us, it's easy for someone to access our personal information without our permission. That's why it's a good idea to set up security settings on your iPhone to help protect your data. Here are some tips on how to set up iPhone security settings:
Your Passcode is the first line of defense for your iPhone. Make sure it's strong and difficult to guess. A good passcode is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
2FA adds an extra layer of security to your iPhone by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when you sign in to your Apple ID on a new device or browser. To turn on 2FA, go to Settings > Apple ID > Password & Security > Turn on Two-Factor Authentication.
Account recovery contacts are people who can help you regain Access to your Apple ID if you lose your phone or forget your password. Go to Settings > Apple ID > Password & Security > Account Recovery > Add Recovery Contact to add account recovery contacts.
As life is unpredictable, all users should designate someone from their friends or family as a legacy contact. Legacy contacts are people who can access your iCloud data if something bad happens to you. To add legacy contacts, navigate to Settings > Apple ID > Password & Security > Legacy Contact > Add Legacy Contact.
Automatic verification sends a verification code to your phone every time you sign in to your Apple ID from a new device or browser. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to your account. Go to Settings > Apple ID > Password & Security > Automatic Verification to turn on automatic verification.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your iPhone secure and protect your privacy.
App locks are necessary, and locking all apps on iPhone is essential to ensuring more data security or limiting distractions. If you need to learn how to lock apps on your iPhone with/without screen time, then you know.
Choose the appropriate option from the options mentioned earlier to lock your apps today.
You can lock the WhatsApp app on your iPhone by following these steps:
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone.
Step 2: Navigate to the Settings section at the bottom right of the interface.
Step 3: Hit Privacy and select Screen Lock.
Step 4: Choose between Face ID / Touch ID and select the time duration.
At the moment, users cannot lock a folder on their iPhones, but they can use third-party applications such as Owlfiles to set a password and make their folder private.
Here are the steps on how to lock Messenger on iPhone:
Step 1: Launch the Messenger app and visit your profile section in the top left corner.
Step 2: Now select Privacy & Safety. Click on App lock.
Step 3: Toggle on the switch next to Require Face ID or Require Touch ID.
Users can also choose to set a desired time limit for how long Messenger will stay unlocked after they leave the app.
Whenever you lock an application, you can decide how long the app should remain locked. Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits, you can check this method in part 1 of this post.
There are a few ways to lock apps on iPhones for free.
Use Screen Time: Screen Time is a feature that allows you to manage and restrict how much time you and your family spend on your devices. To use Screen Time, open the Settings app and tap on Screen Time.
Use Guided Access: Guided Access is another Apple native feature that allows you to lock your iPhone into a single app.
Here are the steps on how to lock apps on iPhone with fingerprint:
Step 1: Navigate to the Settings app.
Step 2: Scroll down and hit Touch ID & Passcode.
Step 3: Enter your passcode.
Step 4: Under Use Touch ID, tap on Apps.
Step 5: Toggle on the switch next to the apps you want to lock with your fingerprint.
Step 1: Press and hold the Lock Screen til the Customization window pop up.
Step 2: Hit the “Add New” menu at the bottom of the interface.
Step 3: The Lock Screen wallpaper gallery will pop up.
Step 4: From here, you can customize your iPhone lock screen and select one of the portraits to set as your Lock Screen.
To hide photos on your iPhone follow simple steps.
Step 1: Click on the Photos icon.
Step 2: Choose the content you wish to hide.
Step 3: Click the More button, and press Hide.
Step 4: Confirm the action that you wish to hide the photos.
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