Until now, it’s still quite hard for iOS users to lock apps on iPhone like Android devices. However, thanks to Screen Time feature in iOS 12, you can now protect individual iPhone app using a password without the help of any third-party apps. In this post. We’ll show you how to lock apps on your iPhone/iPad running iOS 12 using a password with Screen Time feature.
How to Lock Individual App With a Passcode in iOS 12
Requirements:
- Screen Time needs to be enabled by default.
- You should use the app for at least 10 minutes before you can be able to lock it with a Passcode.
Once you meet all the requirements, let’s start locking individual app on your iPhone.
Step 1: Navigate to the Settings app and tap on Screen Time.
Step 2: Choose “Use Screen Time Passcode” option and set the Passcode you want. It will be used to unlock the app after it’s locked.
Step 3: You will now a statistics of the usage of different apps. Simply tap on the Name of your iPhone.
Step 4: By default, you will stay on the statistics of the current day. Scroll down a little, and you can see a list of apps with the time it used.
Choose the app you want to lock. If you don’t see your preferred app on the list, there is a chance you have not used it “Today.” Switch to “Last 7 Days” to find the app.
Step 5: Tap on Add Limit and enter your Screen Time Passcode.
Step 6: Now, simply set a time limit, which is actual usage time.
Step 7: If the app is used for a few minutes, you will see that the app icon is toggled off instantly. When opening the app, the Time Limit screen will appear. The only person that knows the Passcode can unlock and use the app.
Step 8: To Now, launch the app from Home Screen and tap on “Ask For More Time” at the Time Limit screen.
Step 9: Select “Enter Screen Time Passcode” and enter it on the next screen.
Step 10: There will now be three options: Approve for 15 minutes, Approve for an hour, or Approve all day. Choose your preferred one and the app will then be unlocked.
That’s it! By this way, you can lock individual app on your iPhone with Passcode.
Also see: How to Create Siri Shortcuts in iOS 12
Steps to Lock All Apps on iPhone with a Passcode
Like the instruction above, you could have used the app to lock it with a Passcode. Assuming you have done this, let’s continue with the steps below
Step 1: Navigate to Settings → Screen Time → App Limits section.
Step 2: Enter the Screen Time Passcode.
Step 3: Next, tap on Add Limit option.
Step 4: Tap on “All Apps & Categories” on the next screen to lock all apps. You can also choose a specific category if you want. Just tap on Next after you select it.
Step 5: Finally, set your preferred time and tap on Add at the top-right corner.
Return to your Home Screen, and you will see that all selected apps that have been used for a few minutes will be greyed out, which means they are already locked.