In addition to Lock Screen Passcode, iPhone provides the option to Lock all Apps or selected individual apps on your device with a passcode.
For example, you can add another layer of security on your iPhone by locking Photos, Messages and Social media apps like WhatsApp or Snapchat with a passcode that is different from your Lock Screen Passcode.
This ensures that anyone that has access to your device or knows your Lock Screen Passcode is unable to access your photos and messages, without entering another password that is only known to you.
Lock Apps On iPhone with Screen Time Passcode
While you can Lock Apps on iPhone using Touch ID, in this article we are providing you the steps to Lock Apps on iPhone with a Passcode using the Screen Time feature as available on your device.
Since, the screen time feature is not enabled by default on iPhone, the first step is to enable the option to use Screen Time Passcode on your device and get your Screen Time Passcode.
Once the use of Screen Time Passcode is enabled on your device, you will be able to Lock most apps on your iPhone using the Screen Time Passcode
Step 1. Setup Screen Time Passcode
Follow the steps below to enable the use of Screen Time Passcode on your device and setup a Screen Time Passcode on your device.
1. Open Settings > scroll down and tap on Screen Time.
2. On the next screen, tap on Turn On Screen Time.
3. On the pop-up, select Turn On Screen Time option > On the next-pop-up, select This is My iPhone option.
4. On the next screen, scroll down and tap on Use Screen Time Passcode.
5. On the next screen, Enter any 4-digit Screen Time 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 these step by tapping on Cancel.
Important: Make sure that you write down your Screen Time Passcode. You won’t be to disable or make changes to Screen Time settings, without entering your Screen Time Passcode.
Step 2. Lock Apps on iPhone with Passcode
After setting up a Screen Time Passcode, you can Lock any App on your iPhone by using the following steps.
1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > scroll down and tap on App Limits.
2. On the next screen, tap on Add Limit.
3. 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 to lock on your device with a Screen Time Passcode.
5. 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 is toggled ON.
After this setting, the selected App will become automatically locked after the allowed time (1 minute), after which it can only be unlocked using your Screen Time Passcode.
How to Unlock Apps on iPhone Using Passcode
Follow the steps below to unlock any App on iPhone using the Screen Time Passcode.
1. Open the Screen Time Locked App 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.
3. 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 Screen Time Passcode on your iPhone by going to Settings > Screen Time and selecting Turn OFF Screen Time option.
Note: Native Apps like Settings, Phone, Wallet, Clock, and Find my iPhone cannot be Locked Using Screen Time.