It’s easy to think privacy invasions are limited to hackers and data breaches, but something as simple as handing your iPhone to a friend or letting a kid play a game should be reason enough to lock apps on your iPhone. Apple introduced native app locking in iOS 18, and subsequent versions let you lock individual apps on your iPhone with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.
So, can you lock apps on an iPhone?
Yes, you can lock apps on iPhones running iOS 18 and later, either directly using Face ID or Touch ID, or by using the passcode set on your device. You can also hide some highly sensitive apps to be on the safe side.
On older iOS versions, there is no built-in feature, and you will need to use features like Screen Time or Guided Access to limit access to some apps.
You don’t need to be a Mac expert to keep it safe
How can I lock an app on iPhone?
You can lock one or more apps on iPhone using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. However, the steps can vary a little depending on which iOS version you have on your iPhone.
Steps to lock apps on an iPhone running iOS 27
On the latest iOS 27, you can lock an app on iPhone without the need to install any third-party software or use a workaround or other functionality:
- On the Home Screen, touch and hold the app you want to lock.
- From the Quick Actions pop-up menu, select Require Face ID, Require Touch ID, or Require Passcode. (The option you see will depend on what’s already enabled on your iPhone.)
- Authenticate with your Face ID when prompted.
The icon of the locked app will remain visible, but if you try to open it, it will require you to authenticate using your preferred lock method. However, Apple says that Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts, and Settings can’t be locked.
Also, app locks are device-specific and won’t sync through iCloud. So if you have the same app on multiple devices, you’ll need to put a lock on these apps separately. After 5 unsuccessful Face ID match attempts, the device will require you to enter your passcode instead.
As an additional precaution, if you have Stolen Device Protection enabled, all locked apps will require Face ID or Touch ID from familiar locations with no passcode fallback, unless the protection settings are set to Always.
Lock an app on iPhone in iOS 18 and iOS 26
For iPhones still running iOS 18 to iOS 26, you can lock individual apps using the existing device passcode or biometrics. Here’s how to lock an app on your iPhone:
- On the Home Screen, find the app you want to lock.
- Touch and hold the app until the Quick Actions pop-up menu appears.
- Tap Require Face ID, Require Touch ID, or Require Passcode. The option you see will depend on which lock method you already have enabled.
- Confirm your choice and authenticate when prompted.
Once locked, the app will require you to authenticate each time you reopen it after quitting. Any content from locked apps is also removed from notification previews, Search, call history, and Siri suggestions. Note that Apple doesn’t allow the Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts, or Settings apps to be locked.
Setting lock protection on an app will not apply to any other app with access. For example, if you lock the Photos app, any other app with access to your photos will not be locked instantly. You’ll have to lock them individually if you want to.
How can you lock apps on iPhone in earlier iOS versions?
Fortunately, there are many ways you can lock iPhone apps with a password, Face ID, or Touch ID to help retain your privacy and keep prying eyes away from your information. Some of the methods are included here, along with instructions.
First off, you can lock apps easily using a built-in iPhone feature called Screen Time. You can also lock apps on your iPhone using Face ID, Touch ID, and Guided Access. But what you may not know is that you can also use third-party apps to lock your apps on your iPhone, although it is not recommended for security reasons.
How to put a password on apps using Screen Time
If you have an iPhone using iOS 12 or later, you can use the Screen Time feature to lock apps on your iPhone. Thankfully, this feature will allow you to lock almost all your apps except for Settings and Phone, and the process is quite simple.
To use Screen Time to lock your apps and keep intruders out, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings, locate Screen Time, and tap it.
- Set a passcode different from your iPhone’s passcode for Screen Time by tapping Lock Screen Time Settings.
- Tap on App Limits.
- Tap Add Limit.
- You can choose All Apps and Categories or select individual apps to lock.
- Tap Next at the top.
- Select the time limit for the app you chose (1 minute is best). You can also enable a password to open specific apps so no one but you can open them. You can also choose particular days on which the limit will work.
- After you are done, tap Add at the top.
Now, your iPhone apps will be locked after 1 minute of inactivity, which should help to keep your personal content private. This is the best solution if you want to lock apps on your iPhone for a certain time. It will prevent snoopers from looking at your photos and videos or meddling with your social media without permission.
Note that, unlike the built-in app lock functionality of later iOS versions, the Screen Time workaround shows “One More Minute” or “Ask For More Time” when your set time limit is reached. To avoid this, you’ll need to have “Block at End of Limit” specifically enabled when setting up the lock.
How to lock an app on iPhone with Guided Access
iPhone 5 and later models include a helpful feature called Guided Access. It allows you to let someone borrow your phone while locking all but one app (the one they are using). This feature is great for parents who want to allow young children to play games without messing anything else up.
Here is how it works:
- Go to Settings, then Accessibility.
- Tap Guided Access.
- Tap the toggle switch at the top to enable this feature.
- Select Passcode Settings and tap Set Guided Access Passcode.
- Enter the passcode twice to lock it in. You can also toggle the Face ID feature to turn Guided Access off when you use Face ID to unlock the phone once it is returned to you.
- Open the app you want to allow someone to use.
- Triple-click the side button.
- Tap Guided Access and then Start.
To end Guided Access, you can triple-click the side button again or use Face ID if you set it up during the enabling process.
How can I lock an app on iPhone using Face ID or Touch ID?
On devices running versions older than iOS 18, Apple’s long-press to lock an app isn’t available. So if you don’t want to use Screen Time or Guided Access, you can lock apps that already require access to Face ID or passcode to authenticate access, like banking or password manager apps.
- Go to Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode to proceed.
- At the top section where it says, Use Face ID For, toggle each of the apps to lock them using Face ID.
- Tap Other Apps.
- Toggle each one if you want to allow Face ID to open them (green means it is on).
For phones that have Touch ID, you can use this same method to turn on Touch ID for privacy protection. Here’s how:
- Open Settings and tap Touch ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode.
- Tap Other Apps.
- Toggle each app you want to unlock with Touch ID.
How can I password-protect apps on the iPhone using parental controls?
Using Screen Time as a parent also allows you to block apps on iPhone. The child doesn’t need to know the passcode set on Screen Time, and Apple lets you manage Screen Time through your own iPhone with Family Sharing using an entirely separate passcode.
To block apps entirely:
- Go to Settings, then locate Screen Time.
- Tap on [child’s name], then Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap Allowed Apps & Features.
- Turn off access to any built-in apps or features you don’t want available.
To set time limits:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.
- Select the app you want to impose a limit on. (You can select more than one.)
- Select the time period allowed for that app. You can customize particular days if you wish. If you don’t, the time restriction will apply every day until you disable it.
How to lock an app using Shortcuts automation
On older iPhones, you can use the Shortcuts app to DIY your way into locking an app on iPhone. Here’s how you do it:
- Open Shortcuts, then tap Automation.
- Tap the “+” icon, then App.
- Choose the app you want to lock and set the condition to Is Opened.
- Set it to run automatically and add Lock Screen.
- Save the automation.
Now, opening that app will lock the iPhone, requiring you to unlock it again to continue. However, this isn’t a true app lock, and it may briefly show a glimpse of the app while it locks the phone. It can also be easily disabled through the Shortcuts app, with no authentication required.
How to put a passcode on the App Store and iTunes
The Apple App Store and iTunes are where you can purchase and download content to your iPhone. It’s handy to have these integrated into the operating system, but it’s also essential that you keep these apps secure. You don’t want someone making purchases in your name. Luckily, Apple has made it easy for you to secure access to your App Store/iTunes purchases by enabling a passcode.
To put a passcode on your App Store and iTunes account so that only you can make purchases, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap on your name at the top.
- Tap Media & Purchases.
- Tap Password Settings when you see the pop-up.
- Tap Always Require Password or Require After 15 Minutes.
- Toggle the Require Password setting at the bottom.
You can require a password for every purchase or on a time limit of every 15 minutes. You might want to choose to require a password for every purchase to ensure that no one downloads a bunch of stuff when you aren’t looking.
How do you lock an app on iPhone using a third-party app?
Jailbreaking isn’t necessary for current App Store blockers. One free option is ScreenZen, allowing you to add delays, schedules, and strict blocking on specific apps. Another is Ochi, available for free and with a Pro version starting at $3.99/month, focused on scheduled apps and website blocking.
A jailbroken iPhone can be vulnerable to hacking, malware, ransomware, and other threats. Jailbreaking can also cause other issues and prevent you from making security updates and running the latest iOS. So, whenever possible, use apps safely available through the App Store to add more functionality to your old iPhone.
How can I hide an app on iPhone?
You can hide specific apps, whether they’ve been individually locked or not, to protect them all with another layer of authentication. To hide an app:
- Touch and hold the app you want to hide.
- From the Quick Actions menu, tap Hide App.
The app will no longer be visible on the Home Screen. It will instead be moved to the Hidden folder at the bottom of the App Library. Opening that folder requires you to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your iPhone’s passcode. This is different from the Lock feature, which keeps the app visible on the Home Screen.
iPhone app locking and hiding: Common questions
Apple’s built-in app locking and hiding functionality is simple and effective at maintaining your privacy. So it never hurts to learn how they work and where they might fall short.
No. As of iOS 27, app lock status doesn’t sync over iCloud to the same app on other Apple devices.
After 5 repeated failed attempts at unlocking an app using Face ID, you’ll be prompted to use your iPhone’s passcode.
If the child knows the device or Screen Time passcode, there’s nothing stopping them from bypassing an iPhone app lock.
Yes, locking an app hides sensitive notification previews and some app content, but the notifications themselves may still appear depending on your notification settings.
Most people will find that Apple’s built-in security features are enough to protect their privacy. Along with locking your apps to protect your privacy, you can also use apps that allow you to lock specific pieces of content and require passwords before granting access. Users must do all they can to protect their sensitive information and keep their data private and secure.
This is an independent publication, and it has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. iPhone and iOS are trademarks of Apple Inc.
