Locking apps on your phone is the best way to prevent others from accessing them. On the iPhone, you can do this using something called (screen lock) that Apple added to the Shortcuts app in iOS 16.4 and the automation available in the app itself, and we'll explain how you can use these features to lock any app on your iPhone:
How to lock apps on iPhone using the lock screen:
With the iOS 16.4 update, Apple added a screen lock action to the Shortcuts app. So, the first thing you need to do is update your phone's operating system to the latest version (if you haven't already).
Then follow these steps:
- Open the Shortcuts app and go to the Automation tab.
- Click Create Personal Automation.
- Scroll down until you find the Apps option and tap on it.
- Click the Choose button and choose the app you want to block.
- Activate the (Open) option and press (Next).
- Click the Add Action button, find “lock screen” in the search box, click it, and click Next.
- Deselect Ask before running to allow the automation to run automatically, then click Finish to save.
After creating a personal automation in the Shortcuts app, tap any app you added to the Personal Automation settings. When you open any of these apps, the lock screen command will be executed because it will automatically switch to the lock screen. If you use Face ID to unlock the screen, the screen will be unlocked immediately and you can start using the app.
However, if you have an older iPhone with a Home (Home) button, you will need to place your finger on the Home button to unlock the iPhone and access the apps. If you don't have Face ID or Touch ID turned on, your iPhone will ask for your passcode.
Personal automation with shortcuts may not be the ideal way to lock apps because it performs a screen lock command every time you want to use the app instead of quickly opening the app itself. However, you can prevent anyone from accessing it. You don't want anyone to be able to access it, and you don't need to download third party apps.