How to Lock Apps on iPhone With FaceID & TouchID

It’s no secret that smartphones do much more these days than make calls. They are also the primary way we capture moments and store important documents. As a result, protecting this data is pretty important. While lock screen passcodes are a great solution, they are just one layer of security and can easily be bypassed by someone who knows your password.

This is where app locks come in. By locking individual apps, you can prevent people from accessing sensitive information. Here’s how you can lock apps on your iPhone.

1. Use the “Require FaceID” feature

With iOS 18, Apple introduced a handy app lock feature, which requires Face ID or Touch ID to unlock apps. This adds an extra layer of security and prevents intruders from accessing your data. To enable this feature:

1. On the Home Screen, long-press the desired app to open the quick actions menu.
2. Tap Require Face ID or Require Touch ID.
   

And that’s pretty much it. Your locked apps will now require authentication to display the content. However, it’s important to note that this protection won’t apply to apps with access to your locked data. For example, if you lock the Photos app but WhatsApp has photo access, WhatsApp can still view your images without Face ID authentication.

Plus, certain system apps, such as Settings, Camera, and Contacts, cannot be locked. If biometric authentication fails, iOS will prompt you to enter the device’s passcode instead.

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2. Lock Apps Using Screen Time

Unfortunately, some app developers don’t support the Require FaceID feature. In this case, you can use Screen Time to block access to apps. While this isn’t a true app lock, it allows you to restrict usage—even for system apps like Camera. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app and navigate to Screen Time.
   
2. Head to App Limits > Add Limit.
   
3. Select the app you want to lock.
4. Set the time limit to 1 minute.
   

Once the time limit expires, you’ll need to enter the Screen Time passcode to continue using the app.

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3. Hide Apps From Home Screen

If your family members know your passcode, then locking apps won’t be effective. In this case, hiding apps from the home screen is the best idea. Here is how you can do it:

1. Head to your home screen.
2. Long-press on the desired app to open the quick actions menu.
3. Click Require FaceID.
4. Then, select Hide and Require Face ID and authenticate with biometrics.
   

The app will now be moved to the Hidden Apps folder and will not appear on your home screen. To access it, open the App Library and tap the Hidden Apps icon at the bottom of the page. Just note that you cannot hide system apps.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

And there you have it—the easiest ways to lock and hide apps on your iPhone. Now, you can keep your sensitive data private, even when handing your phone to someone else.