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 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.
It's worth noting that not all apps can be locked. As things stand in the first iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 betas, Apple does not provide the lock option for non-sensitive apps like Maps, Clock, Calculator, and Stocks. Otherwise, almost every other app can be locked, including third-party apps. Here's how it's done.
- On your Home Screen, press and hold on the icon for the app that you want to lock.
- Tap Require Face ID (or Touch ID).
- 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 at present 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. 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, go to the App Library and tap the obscured Hidden folder. You will be required to perform a Face ID scan, after which you can access the app, as well as unlock it if you wish using the same long press method.
This article, "iOS 18: How to Lock and Hide iPhone Apps" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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