Your iPhone may be protected by Face ID, but that doesn’t mean every app needs to open as soon as the device is unlocked. Apple also lets you lock individual apps, adding another check before someone can see messages, emails, photos, or other personal information.
It’s a useful safeguard if you occasionally hand your iPhone to a friend or family member. It can also offer an extra layer of protection if your phone is stolen, particularly when used alongside Apple’s Stolen Device Protection feature.
Why locking an app can be useful
When an app is locked, opening it requires Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode. The app locks again after you quit it, so someone using your unlocked iPhone can’t simply reopen it without authenticating.
Apple also limits where information from locked apps can appear, including notification previews, search, Siri suggestions, and CarPlay. The feature can be particularly useful for apps containing private conversations or sensitive personal details.
There is an important distinction, however: locking an app isn’t always the same as requiring Face ID exclusively. Under normal circumstances, the iPhone passcode may be accepted as an alternative. Someone who knows your passcode could therefore still be able to open a locked app.
How to lock an iPhone app with Face ID
- Go to your iPhone’s Home Screen and find the app you want to protect.
- Touch and hold the app icon until the quick actions menu appears.
- Tap Require Face ID. On devices without Face ID, you may see Require Touch ID or a passcode option instead.
- Confirm by tapping Require Face ID again and authenticating when prompted.
The next time you open the app, your iPhone will ask you to authenticate. To remove the restriction, touch and hold its icon, choose Don’t Require Face ID, and authenticate.
Some built-in apps cannot be locked, including Camera, Clock, Maps, and Settings. The restriction applies only to the iPhone where you enable it and doesn’t sync across your devices through iCloud.
For more protection, turn on Stolen Device Protection
Apple’s Stolen Device Protection adds an important safeguard for people worried about a thief who may have learned their iPhone passcode.
With the feature enabled, locked apps require Face ID or Touch ID, without a passcode fallback, when the iPhone is away from familiar locations, such as home or work. That can make a meaningful difference if someone steals your phone and knows the code used to unlock it.
To enable it, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection, then turn it on. The exact authentication requirements depend on your Stolen Device Protection settings and location.
You can also hide certain apps
If you would rather keep an app out of sight, Apple also offers Hide and Require Face ID for eligible downloaded apps. Touch and hold the app, tap Require Face ID, and select the option to hide it.
The app moves to the protected Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library. It won’t appear on your Home Screen, although its name may still be visible in places such as Screen Time and your App Store purchase history. Built-in Apple apps cannot be hidden.
Locking apps doesn’t replace using a strong passcode or keeping your iPhone updated, but it is a simple way to protect information you’d rather keep private. For the basic setup instructions, you can also read our earlier guide to locking iPhone apps with Face ID or a passcode.
