With the increasing amount of personal information stored on our mobile devices, it’s no wonder users are seeking ways to enhance their security and privacy. One straightforward approach is locking and hiding apps on your iPhone or iPad. Apple’s ecosystem provides a reliable way to achieve this without third-party applications. Here’s how to do it:
Using Screen Time to Lock Apps
Screen Time, introduced in iOS 12, is predominantly known for managing and monitoring screen time usage. However, it also includes a feature that can effectively lock apps using a passcode.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Open Settings: Start by opening the ‘Settings’ app on your device.
2. Select Screen Time: Scroll down and tap on ‘Screen Time’.
3. Turn On Screen Time: If you’ve not already enabled Screen Time, tap on ‘Turn On Screen Time’. Follow the prompts until it’s activated.
4. Set a Passcode: Tap ‘Use Screen Time Passcode’ to set a four-digit passcode. This code will be needed to unlock the apps or change Screen Time settings.
5. App Limits:
– Tap on ‘App Limits’.
– Select ‘Add Limit’.
– Here, you can choose categories or specific apps you want to limit. For instance, if you want to lock the Instagram app, find it under the ‘Social Networking’ category.
– Set the timer to 1 minute for each day so that after this period, the app will be locked until the next day.
6. Confirm with a Passcode: After selecting your apps and setting the time limit, confirm your selection with your previously set passcode.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the chosen apps will require your Screen Time passcode for access after they’ve been used for the designated period.
Hiding Apps from Your Home Screen
Beyond locking apps, you may also wish to hide certain applications from plain view. While there’s no direct method to completely hide an app, you can minimize its presence through various means.
Method 1: Use App Folders
1. Create App Folders:
– Tap and hold any app until they start wiggling.
– Drag an app over another to create a new folder.
2. Fill Folders with Multiple Apps: Fill up folders with multiple pages of apps so only the initial few are visible at first glance.
3. Move Apps to Last Page of Folder: Move sensitive or private apps to later pages within these folders.
Method 2: Remove from Home Screen
1. App Library (iOS 14+):
– For devices running iOS 14 or later, Apple introduced the App Library that organizes all installed apps into categorized folders accessible by swiping left beyond your last home screen page.
2. Remove Apps from Home Screen:
– Tap and hold an app until a menu appears.
– Select ‘Remove from Home Screen’. The app will now reside in your App Library without cluttering your home screen.
By utilizing these features built into iOS/iPadOS, users can effectively enhance their privacy by locking critical applications behind passcodes and minimizing their visibility on the home screen.
Try out these methods today to secure your personal information better!