How to Lock Any App with Face ID on an iPhone Using iOS 18

Handing over your iPhone to someone else can be a tricky situation. Whether it’s a friend who wants to browse photos or a child looking to play a game, there are likely apps on your device that you’d rather keep private. Luckily, with iOS 18, Apple has made it easier than ever to lock apps using Face ID, ensuring that sensitive apps remain secure, even when someone else has your phone.

In this article, we’ll explore how to lock any app with Face ID in iOS 18, as well as some additional tips to safeguard your iPhone’s privacy.

What’s New with iOS 18’s Face ID App Lock?

While previous iOS versions allowed certain apps, like banking or social media apps, to integrate Face ID protection, it was up to developers to add this feature. With iOS 18, you now have the ability to lock any app, regardless of whether the developer has implemented Face ID.

This means that apps like games, social media, chat apps, and even photo galleries can now be protected with a Face ID prompt, ensuring that no one can access them without your biometric approval.

Additionally, iOS 18 introduces an option to hide apps from your home screen, offering another layer of privacy.

How to Lock Any App with Face ID

The process of locking apps with Face ID is simple and can be done directly from the home screen or the App Library:

1. Long-press the app icon: On your home screen, find the app you want to lock and long-press its icon.

2. Select ‘Require Face ID’: A menu will pop up after the long press. Tap on Require Face ID to lock the app.

3. Confirm your choice: You’ll be prompted to confirm by tapping Require Face ID again.

Now, whenever anyone tries to open that app, Face ID authentication will be required, making it impossible for unauthorized users to access it.

How to Hide and Lock Apps with Face ID

If you want even more privacy, iOS 18 lets you hide apps from your home screen in addition to locking them with Face ID. Here’s how to do it:

1. Long-press the app icon: Just like before, long-press the app icon you want to hide.

2. Tap ‘Hide and Require Face ID’: In the pop-up menu, choose Hide and Require Face ID.

3. Acknowledge the warnings: You’ll be reminded that hidden apps will be moved to the Hidden folder in the App Library and that you won’t receive notifications, calls, or alerts from the hidden app.

Once you hide an app, it will no longer appear on your home screen. To access it, you’ll need to navigate to the Hidden folder in the App Library and use Face ID to unlock it.

Removing Face ID Locks and Unhiding Apps

If you want to remove the Face ID lock or unhide an app, simply repeat the process:

• Unhide and unlock the app: Long-press the app in the Hidden folder in the App Library and follow the on-screen prompts to remove the Face ID lock. You can also move the app back to your home screen, though you’ll need to replace the icon manually — it won’t automatically reappear.

Guided Access: Lock Your iPhone to a Single App

If you want to lend your iPhone to someone but limit them to a single app, Guided Access is a fantastic solution. This feature ensures that the person using your phone can’t leave the current app and access other parts of your device.

To enable Guided Access:

1. Open Settings: Navigate to Settings on your iPhone.

2. Tap Accessibility: Scroll down and select Accessibility, then find Guided Access and toggle it on.

3. Set a passcode or enable Face ID: Tap Passcode Settings to configure a custom passcode or enable Face ID for Guided Access.

When you want to activate Guided Access, simply triple-press the power button while in the app your friend or family member needs to use. Select Guided Access, and tap Start. Now, the person can only use the current app, and they won’t be able to switch to any other part of your phone without your permission.

To exit Guided Access, triple-press the power button again and authenticate with Face ID or the custom passcode.

Final Thoughts

With the new Face ID app lock in iOS 18, Apple has made it easier to secure your private apps and data from prying eyes. Whether you're lending your phone to someone or just want peace of mind, these new features ensure that your personal information remains safe. Combined with Guided Access, you now have full control over how others use your iPhone.

For more tips and updates on the latest iPhone features, stay tuned to Kushal Bharat Tech News!

Keep your privacy intact with iOS 18 and stay in control of your iPhone’s security.