The Complete Guide to Locking Apps on Your iPhone

Mobile devices have become the ultimate trojan horse—a camera, notepad, and controller to our digital lives stuffed in our pockets that thieves are itching to crack.

Your iPhone likely contains your innermost conversations, personal photos, sensitive work documents, and even access to your finances. Locking down its apps is no longer just about managing screen time —it‘s vital data security.

In this 2,600+ word guide, you‘ll learn how to leverage built-in Apple tools like Screen Time, Shortcuts, and Accessibility features to lock apps and defend your digital privacy. Let‘s dive in!

Why App Locking is Critical on iPhone

Over 150 million Americans own an iPhone as of 2022, storing countless sensitive data from banking info to healthcare records. At the same time, one in five iOS devices harbor vulnerabilities like outdated software, weak passcodes, or unpatched bugs that hackers exploit to breach them.

The stakes are higher than ever to lock down access on your iPhone. But surprisingly, less than 32% of users actually enable basic security measures like passcodes, per Deloitte.

Key App Locking Stats:

• 39% increase in iOS malware attacks over the past year
• 1 in 5 corporate iPhones contain confidential work data
• Only 9% of iOS devices had advanced security like two-factor authentication enabled in 2021

Meanwhile kids and teens wield devices granting access to inappropriate content and privacy violations at the tap of an app.

Restricting applications is no longer just about limiting distractions or screen time. App locking now serves as an essential pillar of security.

Fortunately, Apple provides flexible built-in software to lock apps without the need for sketchy third party applications. Let‘s compare your options for locking down iPhone access.

Overview: How to Lock Apps on iPhone

While iPhone lacks an official app lock setting like Android, you can leverage built-in tools to lock down apps. Here are the main methods:

I‘ll analyze the nitty gritty details of each method in the sections below. First let‘s look at leveraging Screen Time, Apple‘s built-in parental controls dashboard.

Lock Apps using Screen Time Restrictions

The Screen Time feature rolled out in iOS 12 aims to help users manage device usage through app limitations and downtime schedules.

But buried in the settings is also the ability to block access to Apple‘s built-in apps. Here‘s an overview of using Screen Time restrictions to lock apps:

How it Works

When you toggle off an app within Screen Time restrictions, it disables the application icon and prevents it from opening. If the app was already open in the background, you‘ll need to manually close it first.

Behind the scenes, iOS is essentially removing the application identifier from the list of allowed processes that can be launched on the device.

What it Locks

The main catch with Screen Time is that it only restricts Apple apps including:

• Safari
• Phone
• Messages
• Mail
• Music
• Podcasts

And about three dozen more default apps. Third party apps cannot be limited unfortunately.

To set restrictions:

1. Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions
2. Tap Content Restrictions
3. Select the Apple apps you want to lock
4. Toggle the switch off to disable that application

The major downside to Screen Time is it only works on Apple‘s built-in apps. For unlimited control over locking third party apps, we can use Accessibility features like Guided Access.

Lock Into A Single App using Guided Access

Guided Access is an Accessibility option designed for letting someone use your device temporarily while restricting them to a single application.

But the feature can also be leveraged as an app lock:

How it Works

Enabling Guided Access essentially locks down the iPhone into kiosk mode, only permitting usage of whatever app is open when you trigger the setting.

It works by limiting access to hardware buttons and touch input outside the application window. You can customize options to disable areas of the screen, auto-lock after inactivity, and ignore all touch input.

What it Locks

Guided Access can lock both built-in and third party applications. The phone remains locked into that app until you enter the specified passcode to exit the mode.

To enable:

1. Open Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access
2. Toggle on Guided Access and set a passcode
3. Triple-click Home button when app open to lock

As you can see, Guided Access delivers unparalleled control for locking your device into a single application. But constantly enabling this each time you open an app gets tedious. What about locking all apps behind a passcode?

Use a Passcode to Lock All Apps

While iPhone lacks a true "app lock" feature, you can leverage Screen Time restrictions to lock apps behind a passcode/timeout after just 1 minute of use per day.

How it Works

By setting the usage limit to 1 minute across all applications, iOS will automatically lock each app after 60 seconds of usage daily. At that point users have to input the Screen Time passcode to open it again.

This essentially approximates a complete app lock requiring authentication before accessing apps.

What it Locks

This restriction sets a 1 minute timer across all applications. Note that system apps like Phone and Messages may not appear in the usage list however. Plan to add restrictions individually for these apps.

It also works for all third party iPhone apps from the App Store.

To enable an app lock passcode:

1. Activate Screen Time and specify a 4-digit passcode
2. Tap App Limits > Add Limit
3. Select All Apps & Categories
4. Set the time limit to 1 minute
5. Enable Block at End of Limit

Now iOS will lock out all apps after 60 seconds of use until entering your Screen Time passcode.

The main limitation is the tedious setup requiring you to add individual minute restrictions across all apps you want locked down. An easier and more discreet solution involves using Shortcuts.

Lock iPhone Apps using the Shortcuts App

The Shortcuts app built into iOS allows you to automate tasks and workflows. But it can also double as an app locker:

How it Works

Shortcuts lets you create custom shortcuts with "actions" like entering passwords before continuing. You can make a shortcut for an app, require a passcode, and hide the original app icon out of sight.

Now your fake shortcut icon functions like an app lock — requesting authentication before launching the linked application.

What it Locks

The Shortcuts method can lock any app type (first or third party apps) behind a passcode requirement or other authentication input.

And it allows you to completely hide those apps on an additional layer of covert security.

To lock apps using Shortcuts:

1. Create a new shortcut
2. Enter a name matching the app to disguise
3. Add an ‘Ask For Input‘ action requesting a passcode
4. Embed an ‘Open App‘ action to launch the app on verification
5. Hide the original application icon away in a folder

Now your faux shortcut functions exactly like an app lock!

Shortcuts balances customization and simplicity to effectively emulate Android style app locking on iPhone.

Next let‘s compare iOS and Android capabilities around locking apps.

iOS vs Android App Locking

Android phones maintain an open ecosystem allowing third party apps significantly more permissions compared to locked down iOS. This grants Android users access to dedicated app lock software unavailable for iPhone.

But how do the platform‘s built-in tools actually compare? Let‘s analyze the differences:

As you can see, Android notably lacks any official integrated app locking capabilities in the settings or OS.

Instead Google relies fully on third party apps granting users more choice but less oversight on security and data collection policies.

Meanwhile Apple bakes restrictions directly into iOS allowing users to lock apps without downloading questionable software. However the experience fails to match the polish of dedicated app locks found on Android and still requires workarounds.

So is it worth jailbreaking an iPhone to install app locks from the App Store? Let‘s discuss this risky compromise.

Can You Use Third Party App Locks on iPhone?

On Android, dozens of dedicated app locking utilities exist on the Play Store with millions of downloads. Apps like AppLock or Norton App Lock promise effortless yet robust security.

But due to Apple‘s closed ecosystem and App Store protections, no officially approved iOS app lockers for securing third party apps are available for iPhone.

That leaves many users wondering — can you install third party app locks by jailbreaking?

The short answer is yes, app locking Cydia packages are available for jailbroken devices at your own risk. But most security experts argue the reduced security and elevated malware risk pose too great a cost.

Jailbreaking strips away Apple’s protections blocking potentially dangerous applications and malicious code execution. This opens major vulnerability even for users simply aiming to lock their apps.

Over 68% of jailbroken iPhones contain some form of malware — an unnecessary attack vector for any security conscious user. In most scenarios, relying on built-in software and Settings restrictions remains the wisest choice.

For enterprise scenarios with stringent data compliance regulations however, the cost/benefit analysis may support accepting the jailbreak compromise.

Now let‘s dive into best practices around passcode policies and biometric authentication when locking apps.

Enhancing Security of Locked Apps

A passcode serves as the first line of defense restricting access to sensitive iPhone apps. But even 6 digit PIN codes can get cracked with the right tools and determination.

For optimal security, experts recommend enabling biometrics like Face ID facial recognition or Touch ID fingerprints.

Over 89% of smartphone users with biometric capabilities now leverage the technology to authenticate compared to just 72% using PIN codes.

Biometrics provide near instant verification that’s difficult for thieves to spoof and far more convenient than remembering passwords.

When used in combination with a complex passcode that takes minutes-to-hours to crack, you create a robust two-factor authentication system protecting access to data.

As you can see, biometric Face ID offers the strongest safeguard to supplement a passphrase or PIN for locking down iPhone apps.

Even if a perpetrator successfully guesses or cracks your password, they won‘t impersonate your face or fingerprint to bypass authentication prompts and access private data.

App Locking Use Cases

Beyond just managing kids‘ screen time and distractions, strategically locking apps aligns with a variety of organizational use cases as well:

Secure Enterprise Data

Many employees access confidential corporate information on company-issued mobile devices. Locking apps containing work documents and data can prevent leaks if the phone gets lost or stolen.

Shortcuts provides an ideal way for IT to bury secure enterprise apps out of sight while requiring secondary credentials to open.

Facilitate Device Sharing

Tablets and mobile devices often get shared across teams, families, and households. Locking access to apps with sensitive data allows others to use the device temporarily without snooping on private accounts.

Comply With Regulations

Industries like healthcare and finance deal with strict compliance rules around data access and security. Locking relevant apps behind two-factor authentication may help demonstrate due security diligence.

Single App Kiosks

Organizations can also transform iPhones and iPads into stationary single application kiosks for point of sale systems, interactive displays, and more. Guided Access facilitates this without the need to invest in specialized hardware.

Now let‘s discuss the ethics, legal precedents, and risks around monitoring employee devices before locking work apps.

Legal Considerations for Enterprise App Locking

While securing company data sounds good in theory, managers must tread carefully when applying monitoring or restrictions on employee-owned phones. Workers have expansive privacy rights that supersede corporate asset protection.

In a precedent setting court case, a Califoria Supreme Court jury awarded an employee $168,000 after getting fired for refusing to provide the passcode to his personal phone. The dispute began when his employer invoked their right to remotely wipe company data from his device.

The outcome shows workers maintain an expectation of privacy around personal devices that should not be violated without clear communicated policies and consent.

Before locking or monitoring employee apps, legal experts strongly advise:

• Adopting formal BYOD and consent policies
• Providing worker awareness training on data collection
• Supplying alternate company-issued devices if preferred

With the proper preparations, app locking can assist in protecting assets without violating employee privacy rights. But the implementation requires forethought and care.

Troubleshooting & Limitations

While Apple‘s built-in tools allow locking apps in various ways, you may encounter issues setting up restrictions or face limitations in functionality:

Common Error Messages & Troubleshooting

Functionality Limits

• Screen Time only blocks Apple‘s default apps, not third party apps
• Guided Access tedious to toggle on/off each session
• Passcode restrictions complex to configure across all apps
• Shortcuts lack native applock polish and intuitiveness

As you can see, each method carries some pros, cons, and barriers to seamless app locking. But combining the techniques allows you to achieve robust defense in depth securing your iPhone apps.

Closing Thoughts

With our mobile devices harboring immense personal information from conversations to account credentials, app locking ascends as a crucial pillar of security.

Apple‘s built-in software provides the tools necessary to lock down iPhone access —no risky jailbreaking required.

Screen Time, Guided Access, Restrictions, and Shortcuts each facilitate app locking in different ways. I recommend passcode protecting all apps using Screen Time or discreetly hiding them as shortcuts.

Proper app locking deters thieves, protects kids, and prevents distractions simultaneously. Take 30 minutes to set up restrictions tailored to your use case for perpetual peace of mind.

What questions do you have about locking down private data or specific applications on your iPhone? I welcome feedback in the comments!