In addition to the Lock Screen Passcode that is required to login to your device, iPhone also provides the option to Lock Apps with a 4-digit Screen Time Passcode.
This allows you to add another layer of security on your device by locking photos, messages and social media apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat with a passcode that is different from the Lock Screen Passcode.
The purpose in this case is to prevent the possibility of anyone that has access to your device or knows its Lock Screen Passcode from being able to take a look at your personal photos and messages.
Lock Apps On iPhone with Screen Time Passcode
In order to Lock Apps on iPhone with Screen Time Passcode, the first step is to create a Screen Time Passcode and enable the use of Screen Time Passcode on iPhone.
Once the use of Screen Time Passcode is enabled on iPhone, you will be able to Lock most apps on your iPhone using the 4-digit Screen Time Passcode.
Step 1. Setup Screen Time Passcode on iPhone
You can follow the steps below to create a Screen Time Passcode and enable the use of Screen Time Passcode on your iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > tap on Turn On Screen Time.
2. On the confirmation pop-up, select Turn On Screen Time to confirm > On the next-pop-up, select This is My iPhone option.
3. On the next screen, scroll down and tap on Use Screen Time Passcode.
5. On the next screens, enter your preferred 4-digit Passcode (different from Lock Screen Passcode) and confirm the Passcode.
6. After this, you can either follow the instructions to setup Screen Time Password recovery by using your Apple ID or skip the step by tapping on Cancel.
Important: Make sure that you write down the Screen Time Passcode. You won’t be to disable or make changes to Screen Time Settings, without entering the Screen Time Passcode.
Step 2. Lock Apps on iPhone Using Screen Time Passcode
After setting up a Screen Time Passcode, you can Lock any App on iPhone by using the following steps.
1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > tap on Add Limit.
2. On Choose Apps pop-up, open the Section where the App is located and select the App or Apps that you want to Lock.
Similarly, you can expand other sections and select other Apps that you may wan to lock with the Screen Time Passcode.
3. On the next screen, set Time as 1 Minutes and tap on Add. (This is the minimum time that you can set)
Note: On the same screen, make sure that Block at End of Limit option has been Enabled.
After this setting, the selected App will become automatically locked after the allowed time (1 minute), after which it can only be unlocked using the Screen Time Passcode.
How to Unlock Apps on iPhone Using Screen Time Passcode
Follow the steps below to unlock any App on iPhone using the Screen Time Passcode.
1. Open the App that is protected by Screen Time Passcode on your iPhone.
Note: You will see a Lock Icon next to the App, if the App has been used for 1 Minute.
2. On the Time Limit Screen, select Ask For More Time option.
3. On the pop-up, select Enter Screen Time Passcode option and enter your Screen Time Passcode.
4. On the next pop-up, you will see three options: Approve for 15 minutes, Approve for an hour, or Approve all day.
Select any option that suits your requirements and the App will be unlocked up to your selected time limit.
At any-time you can disable the Screen Time Passcode on iPhone by going to Settings > Screen Time > select Turn OFF Screen Time option.
Note: Native Apps like Settings, Phone, Wallet, Clock, and Find my iPhone cannot be Locked Using Screen Time.