How to Lock Apps on iPhone (iOS 17 & 18)

Locking an app on your iPhone keeps its contents private from anyone who borrows your phone, such as a friend, family member, or coworker. With Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode, you can require authentication before an app opens, and even hide the app from your Home Screen entirely. This guide covers the built-in methods available in iOS 17 and iOS 18, so you don’t need any third-party apps.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 17 or later (the steps below match iOS 17 and iOS 18, which include the built-in app locking feature).
• Face ID or Touch ID enabled, or a device passcode set. If you don’t have any of these, you’ll be prompted to set one up.
• Your Apple ID password if you want to hide an app (this is required to confirm the action).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Lock an App with Face ID / Touch ID (iOS 18 and later)

1. On your Home Screen, find the app you want to lock.
2. Press and hold the app icon until a context menu appears.
3. Tap Require Face ID (or Require Touch ID on older models).
4. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm. Tap Require Face ID again.
5. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to finish. The app is now locked—every time you open it, you’ll need to authenticate.

Method 2: Lock an App Using Screen Time (Works on iOS 17 and earlier)

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. If you haven’t set up Screen Time before, tap Turn On Screen Time and follow the prompts. If it’s already on, skip to step 4.
4. Tap App Limits.
5. Tap Add Limit.
6. Select the category that contains the app you want to lock (for example, Social Networking for Instagram or Facebook). You can also tap the app name directly if it appears in the list.
7. Tap Next in the top-right corner.
8. Set the time limit to the minimum, which is 1 minute. You can also tap Customize Days and set all days to 1 minute.
9. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
10. Now, when you open the app, you’ll see a limit screen. Tap Ask for More Time, then Enter Screen Time Passcode. Enter your Screen Time passcode (not your iPhone passcode unless you set it to the same) to allow access for the day. This effectively locks the app behind a passcode.

Note: The Screen Time method works on older iOS versions, but it’s more of a workaround. On iOS 18, the built-in “Require Face ID” method is much simpler and more secure.

Method 3: Hide an App (iOS 18 and later)

1. Press and hold the app icon on the Home Screen.
2. Tap Require Face ID (or Require Touch ID).
3. In the confirmation pop-up, tap Hide and Require Face ID.
4. Authenticate with Face ID or your passcode.
5. The app disappears from the Home Screen. It moves to a hidden folder in the App Library, which you can access by swiping left on the Home Screen until you reach the App Library.

Common Mistakes

• Using the Screen Time method on iOS 18 and expecting it to work the same way. On iOS 18, the App Limits method still works, but the built-in “Require Face ID” is far more straightforward and doesn’t require a separate passcode.
• Forgetting your Screen Time passcode. If you set a Screen Time passcode and forget it, you’ll have to reset it via your Apple ID, which can be a hassle.
• Assuming the app is completely hidden when you only lock it. Locking an app (without hiding) still shows the icon on your Home Screen. If you want it invisible, you must use the “Hide” option.
• Setting the Screen Time limit to 0 minutes. iOS requires at least 1 minute; you can’t set it to zero.

Tips

• Use the Hide feature for apps you don’t want anyone to even see, like banking or private messaging apps.
• If you use the Screen Time method, set a unique Screen Time passcode that’s different from your iPhone passcode, so someone who knows your phone passcode can’t bypass it.
• You can lock multiple apps at once using Screen Time by selecting multiple categories or apps in the Add Limit screen.
• If you’re on iOS 17 and want to lock an app that isn’t in a category (like a standalone app), you may need to use the Screen Time method and select the app individually if it appears, or use a workaround like Guided Access (which locks the phone to one app, but that’s a different feature).

Troubleshooting

• The “Require Face ID” option doesn’t appear. This feature is only available on iOS 18 or later. If you’re on iOS 17, use the Screen Time method. Also, make sure you have Face ID or Touch ID set up in Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
• You can’t hide an app. The “Hide and Require Face ID” option only appears on iOS 18. If you’re on iOS 17, you can’t hide apps natively; you’d have to use a third-party workaround, which isn’t recommended.
• Screen Time limit doesn’t lock the app. Make sure you’ve actually added the limit and that the app is in the selected category. Also, ensure that “Block at End of Limit” is enabled (it is by default). If you still see the app opening, try restarting your iPhone.
• You forgot your Screen Time passcode. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode > Forgot Passcode? You’ll need to enter your Apple ID password to reset it.
• Locked app still opens without asking for Face ID. This can happen if you’ve recently authenticated and the phone hasn’t locked yet. Try locking your phone and waiting a few seconds, then open the app again. If it still doesn’t ask, restart your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lock apps on iPhone without Face ID?

Yes, you can use the Screen Time method, which requires a passcode instead of Face ID. You can also use Touch ID if your iPhone has a Home button.

Will locking an app affect its notifications?

No, locking an app does not hide notifications. Notifications will still appear on your lock screen unless you disable them in Settings > Notifications for that specific app.

Can I lock the Photos app?

Yes, on iOS 18 you can lock the Photos app using the same “Require Face ID” method. On iOS 17, you can use Screen Time to limit the Photos app, but it’s not as seamless.

Does hiding an app delete its data?

No, hiding an app only removes it from your Home Screen. The app and all its data remain intact in the App Library.

Can I lock apps on my iPhone without updating to iOS 18?

Yes, you can use the Screen Time method on iOS 17 and earlier. It’s not as elegant, but it works.

Is there a way to lock an app with a custom passcode instead of Face ID?

Not with the built-in features. The Screen Time method uses your Screen Time passcode, which you can set to any 4-digit code. The “Require Face ID” method uses your biometric authentication only.

Related

• How to Fix Alexa Drop In Not Working
• AirPods Accessibility Menu: Adjust Settings Guide
• Enable Developer Mode on Samsung Galaxy J7