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How Do I Protect My Apps with Touch ID?

Published in iOS Security 3 mins read

Unfortunately, directly locking individual apps with Touch ID is not a standard feature on iOS. The provided "solution" in the references appears to be incorrect or related to a third-party solution not available directly on all iOS devices. Instead, you need to explore alternative methods.

Here's a breakdown of how you can approximate app protection on iOS, keeping in mind the limitations:

1. Using Guided Access (for temporary single-app usage):

Guided Access locks your device to a single app. This isn't the same as password-protecting specific apps, but it prevents someone from leaving the app you designate.

  • Steps:

    1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
    2. Turn Guided Access on.
    3. Set a passcode or enable Touch ID/Face ID for Guided Access.
    4. Open the app you want to "lock".
    5. Triple-click the Side/Home button (depending on your iPhone model).
    6. Customize the settings (e.g., disable hardware buttons) and tap "Start".

  • To end Guided Access: Triple-click the Side/Home button, enter your passcode or use Touch ID/Face ID.

2. Limitations of Built-in iOS Security:

  • No Native App Locking: iOS does not have a built-in feature to directly lock individual apps with Touch ID/Face ID.
  • Screen Time Passcode: While Screen Time allows you to set time limits for apps, it can also be used to require a passcode to open specific apps after the time limit has been reached. This isn't ideal for immediate protection. Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Add Limit. Choose the apps and set a time limit of 1 minute. Then select 'Block at End of Limit'. Now, if someone tries to access those apps, they'll need to enter the Screen Time passcode after the time limit "expires".
  • Focus Modes (limited privacy): You can create custom Focus modes that allow only certain apps and notifications. This limits distraction, but isn't a security feature as someone can easily disable the Focus mode.

3. Third-Party Apps (Use with Caution):

  • App Lockers (Risky): Some third-party apps claim to lock apps using Touch ID/Face ID. However, many of these apps are not secure and may collect your data. Exercise extreme caution and thoroughly research any app before granting it access to your device. Apple's sandboxing makes it very difficult to securely lock apps via the App Store.

4. Alternatives to Consider:

  • Strong Passcode/Face ID/Touch ID for Device: The strongest security comes from having a strong and unique passcode for your entire device, coupled with up-to-date iOS.
  • App-Specific Security Features: Many apps (e.g., banking apps, password managers) offer their own built-in security features, such as requiring a PIN, Touch ID/Face ID, or two-factor authentication.

In summary, while iOS doesn't directly support locking individual apps with Touch ID in the way you might expect, you can leverage Guided Access, Screen Time (with caveats), and app-specific security features to enhance your privacy. Always be cautious when using third-party app lockers.

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