How to Lock Apps on iPhone

If you want to give your apps an extra layer of security and protect your information from prying eyes, you can lock apps on your iPhone. In this way, your apps won't be open and accessible to everyone. Instead, they will need to have a passcode or touchID to unlock the app. This article will show you how to lock apps on your iPhone to guard your sensitive apps.

How to lock apps on iPhone 

Actually, Apple doesn't have an official way to lock sensitive apps like Photos. However, it supports the Screen Time feature for iOS 12 and up. This feature allows you to limit the amount of time you can use a certain app in a day. And when that timer runs out, you need to enter your password to access it. Here's how:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Find and tap on Screen Time.

3. Tap on App Limits.

4. Tap on Add Limit.

5. Select the category that you want. By tapping on it, a list of apps in that category will show up.

6. Tap on the app that you want to set the time limit.

You can select multiple apps at once.

7. Tap on Next.

8. Slide to limit the number of hours and minutes you want.

9. Tap on Add.

If you want to add other apps, just go through the steps above again.

Now when you reach the limit of using the app, the message that asks if you want to add the time limit to use the app will appear and you will have to enter your passcode to keep using them.

On iOS 11 or older iPhones, you can use the Restrictions feature.

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap on General.

3. Scroll down and tap on the Restrictions tab.

4. Enable Restrictions.

5. Enter a new password and confirm it.

Now you have different options. For instance, you can hide the apps from appearing on the home screen or prevent the app from working on your iPhone.

It is important to note that this method only works for locking first-party apps from Apple.

RELATED: How to hide apps on iPhone

How to lock apps on iPhone with Guided Access

Guided Access is a nuclear app lock option that prevents you from leaving the app you are using. This feature may come in handy if you want someone to use a particular app on your phone without worrying that they will venture else without your permission. Here's how to enable this feature:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap on Accessibility.

3. Select Guided Access.

4. Toggle the switch to enable this feature.

5. Go to Passcode Settings and select Set Guided Access Passcode.

6. Enter a new passcode and confirm it again.

7. Once you enable the feature and set your passcode, you can open any app and press the side or the Home button three times. After that, the Guided Access start screen will appear. You can draw a circle around the parts of the screen to disable it.

If you want to end this feature, just triple-click on the side or the home button then type your Guided Access passcode then tap End. After that, you can access all of the apps again.

Final Thoughts

As we said above, Apple doesn't support an official way to lock apps on iPhones. Above are just some workarounds to get this feature to work on your iPhone devices. You can also take advantage of Face ID and Touch ID features. However, only some of the apps can use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock. If you want to find out which app supports Face ID or Touch ID, just head to Settings then Face ID & Passcode section.