i share my iphone with my partner sometimes (unlocked) and i want to lock certain apps specifically — like my banking app and messages — without using screen time because screen time is a nightmare to navigate. anything simpler?
as of ios 18, apple added a native feature for exactly this. open the app you want to lock > long press on its icon on home screen > tap "require face id." done. works for most apps including messages and banking apps. and it's separate from screen time
OP: wait seriously?? i missed that update. i'm on ios 18, let me try
yeah one of the best features they added in years. you can also HIDE apps entirely (they move to a hidden folder in your app library that requires face id to even see)
game changer. i hide my banking apps entirely now. they don't show up anywhere unless i authenticate
if you're on older ios (pre 18), most banking apps already have their own built-in biometric lock in their settings. check each app — chase, wells fargo, bofa etc all have a "require face id to open app" toggle inside the app itself
messages unfortunately doesn't have that native, which is why screen time or ios 18 lock is the only option there
OP: oh good point on the individual apps. banking already had that, i just wanted messages and photos too
photos specifically has its own new feature — you can "lock" specific photos or albums into a hidden locked folder that requires face id. settings > photos > hidden album. great for private pics without needing to lock the entire photos app
as a general tip — guest mode doesn't really exist on iphone, but if you're worried about sharing the phone with someone, guided access is another trick. lock the phone into a single app before handing it over. settings > accessibility > guided access. triple click the side button to activate it when you hand over the phone
OP: ugh iphone 18 features unlocked a lot i didn't know about. thanks all this is exactly what i wanted
Start with a full-feature demo — no credit card needed.