iOS 18: How to Lock iPhone Apps

[MacRumors]

In iOS 17, Apple doesn't offer a system-level method for individually locking sensitive apps like Photos behind Face ID. There is a Shortcut action that provides rudimentary protection, but it's not infallible. Thankfully, iOS 18 includes a dedicated option to lock and even hide individual apps even when the iPhone itself is already unlocked.

This is useful because it means you can unlock your iPhone and hand it to someone for them to look at something, knowing they won't be able to open the apps you have locked. If someone using your iPhone tries to open an app that you have manually locked using the method described below, they will see a popup informing them that it can't be accessed without secondary authentication via Face ID (or Touch ID on the iPhone SE).

Notably, if Stolen Device Protection is active, entering a passcode to unlock an app is not an option, so even if your iPhone is stolen and the thief knows your passcode, they still won't be able to open the app. However, if Stolen Device Protection is not enabled, a passcode prompt appears that can be used to unlock the app after three failed Face ID attempts.

It's worth noting that not all apps can be locked. Apple does not provide the lock option for apps like Maps, Clock, Calculator, and Settings. Otherwise, almost every other app can be locked, including third-party apps. Here's how it's done.

1. On your Home Screen, press and hold on the icon for the app that you want to lock.
2. Tap Require Face ID (or Touch ID).
3. Tap Require Face ID (or Touch ID) to confirm.

Note that you can't use Siri with a locked app, and Spotlight search and any notification previews will not show content from the app.

How to Lock and Hide Apps

When you lock a third-party app using the above method, you have the option to hide it as well – but you cannot hide system apps like Safari or Photos. When enabled, the app icon and name is removed from the Home Screen, and it will not show up in searches, although it may still appear in the Settings app.

An obscured folder for hidden apps is also created in your App Library, which is accessed by swiping left to the end of your Home Screen pages. However, you will not get app notifications or incoming calls from a hidden third-party app.

How to Unlock and Unhide Apps

To unlock an app that you previously locked, simply long press on the app's icon and choose the "Don't Require Face ID" option. As long as you have Stolen Device Protection enabled, turning the lock on and off requires a ‌Face ID‌ scan, so it can't be turned off without your knowledge.

To unhide a locked third-party app, swipe through to the App Library and tap the obscured Hidden folder at the bottom. You will be required to perform a Face ID scan to reveal its contents. After that, you can access any hidden apps contained within it.

Article Link: iOS 18: How to Lock iPhone Apps

 

[MarkFlynn11]

Notably, if you have Stolen Device Protection enabled, entering a passcode to unlock an app is not an option, so even if your iPhone is stolen and the thief knows your passcode, they still won't be able to open the app. However, if Stolen Device Protection is not enabled, a passcode prompt appears that can be used to unlock the app after three failed Face ID attempts.

I have stolen device protection enabled and still get a passcode prompt after failed Face ID.

 

[petitpiton]

Note that you can't use Siri with a locked app, and Spotlight search and any notification previews will not show content from the app.

This seems to me like undesired behaviour.

Sure, if you've locked and hidden the app then don't show notifications at all, but if the app is just locked then you should be able to read notifications once you've unlocked the device with Face ID.

Currently, you get the notification banner, but can't see the details even after unlocking the device with Face ID. Now if the app notification is a change of state notification that doesn't necessarily take you to a particular piece of information in the app, then you have to guess what caused the notification. I think you really should be able to see the notification preview so you can decide whether you need to open the app and take any action. If you proceed to tap the notification and the device is unlocked, you should then have to unlock the app by ID again...

 

[timmyh]

I have stolen device protection enabled and still get a passcode prompt after failed Face ID.

It may be because you are in a familiar location and have set up for Stolen Device Protection to only be active if you are away from that location.

 

[arcite]

My phone is like an extra appendage....I don't hand it over to anyone. 😁

 

[d686546s]

This seems to me like undesired behaviour.

Sure, if you've locked and hidden the app then don't show notifications at all, but if the app is just locked then you should be able to read notifications once you've unlocked the device with Face ID.

Currently, you get the notification banner, but can't see the details even after unlocking the device with Face ID. Now if the app notification is a change of state notification that doesn't necessarily take you to a particular piece of information in the app, then you have to guess what caused the notification. I think you really should be able to see the notification preview so you can decide whether you need to open the app and take any action. If you proceed to tap the notification and the device is unlocked, you should then have to unlock the app by ID again...

I'd assume that if you add additional security to an app on your phone that is already secured with FaceID, it's because you expect that your device might be used by someone else, either because you give it to them voluntarily (kids) or because someone is nosy/or your device is stolen.

Being able to read your messages would then disclose some information that you may not want disclosed and that might defeat the purpose of locking the app in the first place

That being said, users should be able to decide whether or not they want to see a preview. If it's primarily about kids, the risk of them reading a sensitive work email is low, but if it's about protection from someone else that might be different.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Why would Maps be a non-sensitive app?
It shows a long list of places you’ve recently searched for and maybe been to. This could be very sensitive for some.

 

[Infodataset]

Finally can hide my porn) gallery

 

[SW3029]

MacRumors, PLEASE stop using dark mode screenshots in your How To's. Most people use light mode and Dark Mode screenshots are harder for many to read. I've started going to 9to5Mac and iMore.com more often to read how to's because they use the screenshots with light mode.

 

[Mr Todhunter]

So if I go to Settings/General/iPad Storage and choose the GoodReader app then the sensitive dokuments stored there will no longer be listed? I mean if I choose to hide that app?

 

[Promostyle]

MacRumors, PLEASE stop using dark mode screenshots in your How To's. Most people use light mode and Dark Mode screenshots are harder for many to read. I've started going to 9to5Mac and iMore.com more often to read how to's because they use the screenshots with light mode.

Curious now, I would think most here are enjoying DARK mode right?

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

MacRumors, PLEASE stop using dark mode screenshots in your How To's. Most people use light mode and Dark Mode screenshots are harder for many to read. I've started going to 9to5Mac and iMore.com more often to read how to's because they use the screenshots with light mode.

That's nonsense. People are already straining their eyes from their ever-increasing time spent looking at screens every single day.

Darker colors means less bright light hitting your eyes and therefore a little less straining. Especially true on OLED displays.

And if it's a fact that most are on Light Mode then it's only because most people don't know how to change the setting.

Silly normies.

What I'm saying is, I think it's time for you to

 

[cipher29]

MacRumors, PLEASE stop using dark mode screenshots in your How To's. Most people use light mode and Dark Mode screenshots are harder for many to read. I've started going to 9to5Mac and iMore.com more often to read how to's because they use the screenshots with light mode.

I'd be curious to know how many airlines you refuse to fly and how many managers you've spoken to in the last month..

 

[MDomino]

I cannot lock the Calculator?? What if I want to hide sensitive results like 5318008 from my overly curious friends?

 

[fbr$]

I still like the Shortcuts Automation to lock the Settings app because it locks the entire iPhone making it completely unusable for a thief who doesn't know my iPhone passcode (which is a long alphanumerical code).

I'll use this new iOS 18 lock feature (which just locks an app, not the entire iPhone) to lock less sensitive apps, not the Settings app.

I know the Shortcuts Automation can be disabled, but I doubt a thief will guess I have an automation turned on, mostly likely the first thing a thief will try to do is to enter the Settings app (where he will be completely locked by the Shortcuts Automation).

P.S.: I also disable the option "Unlock with Apple Watch" on the Face ID & Passcode section on the iPhone's Settings app.

P.S. 2: Thanks to the CarAnalogy post below, I also added the Find My app to the Shortcuts Automation.

 

[fbr$]

.

 

[WU27f1xcCs]

I hope they make it an option to only lock when not in significant locations. To be honest I want to lock stuff when out and about in case my phone is stolen, but not have the inconvenience when at home.

 

[kb2755]

Heads up - requiring Face ID for apps removes them from CarPlay. You can try it with messages or phone and then go to customize CarPlay in the general settings.

 

[jman240]

I can't think of any use cases for this myself but I'll have to play around with it once ios18 launches and see.

Hiding apps seems less useful if you aren't getting notifications from them. I thought maybe banking apps and things like venmo made sense to hide but losing notifications is not great there.

A lot of the use cases feel like "the lock screen has failed you" so here's one more layer of possible protection. I don't know.

If kids are your use case look into kiosk mode instead (Guided Access in Accessibility). It keeps an app open and makes it so they can't leave that app or do anything. Used mostly with ipads as point of sale systems but available to everyone.

 

[schalkse]

I don’t get it why Apple is developing this. It only serves to hide stuff from others like porn or apps you are not allowed to use by parents, loved ones, …. You can already hide pictures. Nothing more is needed. Hiding apps is not normal. Same as locking apps… like whatsapp and so on. This only means you are doing things in secret and lying to others.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I still like the Shortcuts Automation to lock the Settings app because it locks the entire iPhone making it completely unusable for a thief who doesn't know my iPhone passcode (which is a long alphanumerical code).

I'll use this new iOS 18 lock feature (which just locks an app, not the entire iPhone) to lock less sensitive apps, not the Settings app.

I know the Shortcuts Automation can be disabled, but I doubt a thief will guess I have an automation turned on, mostly likely the first thing a thief will try to do is to enter the Settings app (where he will be completely locked by the Shortcuts Automation).

P.S.: I also disable the option "Unlock with Apple Watch" on the Face ID & Passcode section on the iPhone's Settings app.

Too bad Shortcuts itself cannot be locked. Thanks to your post, I added that and find my to the auto lock automation, and also set airplane mode to auto lock and turn back on as advised in another post.

But if Shortcuts itself can't be further locked, it's just another thing to add to the thief checklist.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I can't think of any use cases for this myself but I'll have to play around with it once ios18 launches and see.

Hiding apps seems less useful if you aren't getting notifications from them. I thought maybe banking apps and things like venmo made sense to hide but losing notifications is not great there.

A lot of the use cases feel like "the lock screen has failed you" so here's one more layer of possible protection. I don't know.

If kids are your use case look into kiosk mode instead (Guided Access in Accessibility). It keeps an app open and makes it so they can't leave that app or do anything. Used mostly with ipads as point of sale systems but available to everyone.

Guided Access is too annoying and limited to work with most use cases. I can't block off the areas I don't want messed with and also leave the app usable, except in rare cases where the app was designed specifically to work with Guided Access.

I'm hoping they add notifications as an option as the beta progresses, seems like an obvious missing feature. There are times you absolutely wouldn't want them, and times as you mention where not getting them makes the feature useless. Has to be optional.

Otherwise as many others have said it seems like it's specifically just for hiding things of questionable merit.

 

[chickenpiccata]

Curious now, I would think most here are enjoying DARK mode right?

One vote here for light mode. And I do know how to change the setting.

 

[d686546s]

I don’t get it why Apple is developing this.

Because people want it, I suppose?

It only serves to hide stuff from others like porn or apps you are not allowed to use by parents, loved ones, …. You can already hide pictures. Nothing more is needed. Hiding apps is not normal.

I'm not sure I have a use case for this, but who gets to decide what is 'normal'? I think you're falling for the 'I don't need more so no one needs more' fallacy.

Same as locking apps… like whatsapp and so on. This only means you are doing things in secret and lying to others.

Even if that is the case, which I'm very very very sceptical necessarily follows, what business is it of yours? Or Apple's, for that matter?

 

[Populus]

Finally can hide my porn) gallery

Now people carry their “galleries” on their phone? I thought that was stored on the computer to contemplate it comfortably. Or hidden on an external hard drive.