iOS 18 Will Let You Lock Apps Behind Face ID, Sources Say

[Delgibbons]

iOS 18 will offer a new security feature that allows users to lock individual apps, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

This feature will give users the option to lock built-in iPhone apps like Mail, Messages, Notes, Phone, Photos, Safari, Settings, and more, providing an extra layer of privacy and security. Unlocking an app would require Face ID authentication, and it is likely that the feature will also work with Touch ID or an iPhone's passcode.

We have not confirmed if the feature will work with third-party apps from the App Store.

Apple already allows certain content to be locked behind Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, such as notes in the Notes app and photos in the "Recently Deleted" and "Hidden" albums in the Photos app. This new iOS 18 feature will take things further by allowing for apps to be locked entirely, even if the iPhone is unlocked overall.

iPhone users have already found ways to lock apps with Screen Time or Shortcuts, but these methods will no longer be necessary on iOS 18.

Apple will unveil iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on Monday. The first iOS 18 beta will likely be made available to Apple Developer Program members immediately after the keynote, and the update should be widely released in September.

Article Link: iOS 18 Will Let You Lock Apps Behind Face ID, Sources Say

Good idea

 

[9081094]

Wow… my “second love app” will be safe now.

 

[adrianlondon]

Great thought! Maybe they’ll tie it in within a Focus Mode setup.

You can't even attach a Focus mode to a calendar event, so I suspect that's wishful thinking unfortunately.

 

[Chux@20]

This function should have been standard years ago.

 

[Guacamole]

the more security features the better. There is an epidemic of phone thefts in the UK

 

[shenfrey]

This function should have been standard years ago.

As should have been able to place icons anywhere we like, but this is Apple we're talking about.

 

[ifxf]

This will be good for finance apps. Some allow you to process transactions with just your pin. Someone could simply learn it by looking over your shoulder and steal your phone. This protects against that.

Every financial app I use requires a password or face id to enter the app. I would not be a customer of any financial institution that didn’t have this level of protection.

 

[ducknalddon]

This is honestly great for whenever you’re letting someone borrow it for calls

Let somebody borrow my phone? I'd rather stick a sharpened pencil in my eye.

 

[dumastudetto]

The security and privacy lead Apple devices hold just keeps growing wider.

 

[cdsapplefan]

This is honestly great for whenever you’re letting someone borrow it for calls

I won’t ever let anyone borrow my phone for anything, it’s a security risk. I would dial the number and then let them speak briefly over speaker.

 

[cdsapplefan]

This will be good for Apps Who still do not implement Face ID for critical information

 

[Victor Mortimer]

Or require both Face ID and Passcode option.

I've been saying this since Touch ID came out.

It should be possible to set your phone in "require both" mode. I don't understand why Apple won't let us have this basic security feature over a decade after they added biometrics.

Bad Apple.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I already do this with apps but, I hope this rumor comes to fruition. It is long overdue.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Great for giving your phone to the Chick Fil A girl in the drive thru so she scan your app for a free Spicy Chicken biscuit.

Sounds like you and the Chick Fil-A girl have something going on.

Excellent point, though. As I am sure that kind of thing happens a lot.

 

[StuBeck]

This is an exciting innovation in privacy, well done Apple

Its not new. Other apps have done this for years. Its just a feature they are implementing themselves now.

 

[Rogifan]

Will be great to have this. Currently using Shortcuts to achieve this.

I am too and it’s very clunky.

 

[jz0309]

finally, long overdue

 

[xxFoxtail]

I’d also like custom passcodes for apps too, or remove the ability to put in a passcode for an app. I trust my partner, and gave him my iPhone passcode. But, certain apps like Journal, I’d like to keep private. After enough failed Face ID attempts, it’ll let you enter the passcode.

 

[Paradoxally]

If this comes to fruition, this feature is EXTREMELY overdue.
I appreciate everyone will have differing opinions on Jailbreaking (and that is fine), however this feature was available as a Jailbreak tweak, 10 years ago.

Yep, Bioprotect and still using it to this day (on iOS 16). Crazy it took Apple 9 years to implement this.

 

[bigboy29]

LOVE this!!!

 

[DotCom2]

This is great news especially for the rumored upcoming Passwords App.

 

[huge_apple_fangirl]

Sounds great.

 

[marvin_h]

and it is likely that the feature will also work with Touch ID or an iPhone's passcode.

Allowing the use of the passcode for this is like using the same key for house and your safe inside your house. Dumb.

 

[AlexJaye]

Apple and its defenders defend having only 1-user per I-Device due to them being "personal" and private devices, yet it's taken them all the way to iOS 18 to implement such a basic privacy and security feature in their OS?

"Innovation is dead, my axx"!

 

[Dionte]

Nice, I want to lock my photos, notes, files, maybe even mail.