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How to lock apps behind Face ID on iPhone in iOS 18
In This Article
Phones are our private tools, often filled with lots of information and media we’d rather not let anyone else see. Locking an iPhone behind its Face ID biometric unlocking system is a great way to keep your iOS device secure, but you can now go one step further.
To add that extra layer of security for iPhone users,iOS 18packs the ability to lock specific apps behind Face ID.
For instance, with the upgrade installed, you could require aFace IDcheck before the Photos app opens or a messaging service like WhatsApp.
If you’re interested in protecting your apps with Face ID security on your iPhone in iOS 18, here’s how to do it.
What you’ll need:
The Short Version
Step1
Ensure you’re running iOS 18
This feature is only available if your iPhone is running iOS 18. If you’ve already installed this then move on to Step 2.
Step2
Unlock your iPhone
Next, unlock your iPhone so you’re looking at the home screen full of apps.
Step3
Make sure you have Face ID enabled
For this feature to work, you’ll need to have Face ID already enabled. If you do, move to Step 4. If not, open up Settings > Face ID and Passcode and follow the instructions.
Step4
Hold down on an app icon
Now all that is sorted, we can start to lock apps. Head back to the home screen and press down on an app you want to lock until a pop-up menu appears. Within this menu, there should be an option labelled Require Face ID. If there is, tap it.
Step5
Select from the options
A new selection of options will now appear: ‘Require Face ID’ and ‘Hide and Require Face ID’. Tapping Require Face ID keeps everything the same aside from the app now authenticating your face before it opens. Hide and Require Face ID will make any notifications from that app no longer visible, and will remove the app icon from your home screen for extra privacy. Select the option that makes the most sense to you.
Step6
Authenticate
Once you’ve chosen your preferred option, the app will authenticate your face and lock itself.
Troubleshooting
It will work formostapps, yes. However, you can’t lock Camera, Settings, Clock, Calculator or the Apple Watch app behind Face ID. This list might change over time.
To remove the Face ID lock, simply repeat the process but tap ‘Don’t Require Face ID’ instead.
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Max is the Editor of Trusted Reviews, and has been a mobile phone and technology specialist for over nine years. Max started his career at T3 straight after graduating from Kingston University. Max ha…
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Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
