How to Lock Apps on iPhone

By default, these are functions that are completely disabled . This is because Apple initially thinks that the iPhone or iPad is going to be used by people who are adults and that there is no need to apply restrictions. But if you happen to have children, siblings, or young nephews, it is important to apply these restrictions that we will tell you about below.

How to lock apps on iPhone

Before beginning the process of explaining how to perform the steps to block applications or functions, there are a few concepts to keep in mind. In this case, for example, the requirements that apply are highlighted, especially in the software field.

Requirements to consider when blocking applications

It is important to note that not all iPhone and iPad devices offer the ability to use app restriction or blocking features. To access these options, such as parental controls, it is essential to have a specific version of the operating system, with iOS 13 being the minimum version required for these privacy and parental control features.

As far as the physical aspect of the devices is concerned, there are no particular requirements to consider. The ability to lock apps on the iPhone or iPad does not depend on the model of the device, but exclusively on the software version. However, using these app lock features on the iPhone can be especially useful on an iPad, given that the latter tends to be used by multiple people and its versatile nature makes it more susceptible to requiring additional access controls and restrictions.

What will you achieve with these restrictions?

Implementing restrictions through app blocking offers advantages in terms of parental control , starting with the ability to limit access to certain apps. This is particularly useful if you have sensitive apps such as banking apps. The idea is to enable only those apps that are appropriate for the age of the children who will be using the device, ensuring that they only access age-appropriate content when using the mobile phone or iPad.

However, restrictions go beyond apps, extending to different types of services within the Apple ecosystem. For example, access to the App Store or iTunes Store can be restricted . In terms of privacy, the option is offered to authorize or restrict the use of certain apps at specific times. Most importantly, these restrictions provide full control over the device, allowing it to adapt to different situations. Furthermore, these measures can be linked to focus modes to facilitate access to these functions depending on who is using the device, whether it is an iPhone or an iPad, thus ensuring a safe and controlled environment.

Steps to activate restrictions on iPhone and iPad

Once all these factors are taken into account, it is time to carry out the process of activating all the restrictions that the system allows in relation to specific applications or functions. In general, what you will always have to do is follow the route Settings > Usage time and choose whether it is your device or a child’s. Depending on who the owner is, you will have two completely different configuration paths.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to go to Content Restrictions and activate the Content and Privacy option. Make sure you choose a different code than the one you use to unlock your device. This will ensure that not everyone will have access to these options so they can edit them as they wish. This is ideal when you have children, in order to prevent them from bypassing the parental control rules that you yourself have applied. Below we analyze the different functions that can be blocked in this case.

Prevent purchases from the App Store or iTunes Store

There are several options in app stores that require payment for use and do not offer free alternatives. While adults are usually aware of this, children may not realize that they are incurring expenses by using these options. That is why you can set these blocks in the following way:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If prompted, enter the passcode.
3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
4. Choose a setting and set it to Don’t Allow.

Restrictions on applications

As we mentioned earlier, you can restrict the use of certain apps or functions that are integrated into the system. If you disable an app or function, it will not be deleted, but will be temporarily hidden from the home screen. This will make it impossible to even be tempted to access it. To do this, you will simply have to make the following changes:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Enter the Screen Time code.
4. Tap Allowed Apps.
5. Select the apps you want to allow.

Prevent web content

Both iOS and iPadOS will now allow automatic content filtering of websites in order to limit access to adult content in Safari. But it is not limited to the browser, as it also opens to other applications that are installed on the device in question. In addition, it will also be possible to create a personalized list of approved or blocked websites to prevent access to a specific web address. To apply this configuration, you must follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, and enter your Screen Time passcode.
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then Web Content.
4. Choose Unrestricted access, Limit access to adult websites , or Only allowed websites .

Block changes to privacy settings

Device privacy settings allow you to control which apps have access to information stored on your device or hardware features. For example, you can allow a social networking app to request access to your camera so you can take and upload photos. To edit them, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If prompted, enter the passcode.
3. Tap Privacy and choose the settings you want to restrict.

In this case, the list of changes where privacy settings can be applied in this case can be found in the following services that are integrated into the system:

• Location.
• Contacts.
• Calendars.
• Reminders.
• Photos.
• Share my location.
• Bluetooth sharing.
• Microphone.
• Voice recognition.
• Advertising.
• Multimedia and Apple Music

Other settings and functions

Beyond these general settings that we have discussed, you can also find other functions that are much more specific. In this case, we always invite you to carry out exhaustive research to customize down to the last detail the experience that you seek to achieve with your iPhone or iPad. To be able to take them into account, you will simply follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” If prompted, enter the passcode.
3. Under “Allow Changes,” select the features or settings you want to allow changes to and choose Allow or Don’t Allow.

In case you want to have more information, you should know that the settings and functions that are open to changes are the following:

• Code changes.
• Account changes.
• Mobile data usage.
• Volume limit.
• Do not disturb while driving.
• TV provider.
• Apps in the background.

Ad Tracking in Apps

Privacy is one of Apple’s biggest priorities. Because of this, on the iPhone we now have the option to choose whether or not apps can track our preferences to show us ads based on our interests. Every time we install a new app and run it for the first time, if it is going to show us ads, we can choose between “Track” or “Ask the app not to track.” This way, if we choose the second option, the app will not be able to access our data to show us ads that may interest us.

To do this, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Tracking. Here, a menu will open with the first option called “Allow apps to request to track you.” If enabled, apps will display the box with the two options we mentioned above. But if it is disabled, the iPhone will automatically reject all tracking requests and no app will be able to access our data. Within the app, we will see a list of all the apps to which we have granted permission (or not) and control which ones have access to our data. There are certain apps that may require a certain level of tracking to function. Food delivery apps or mobility services may require tracking, but not all of them, as this depends on the policies that each platform establishes as requirements for their correct operation.

This feature is an extra layer of privacy on our devices. In addition, this feature is also available on iPadOS and tvOS, starting with version 14.5 of the operating system. The “Allow apps to request to track you” feature can be activated and deactivated if we have a particular Apple ID and if we are of legal age. But there are some exceptions that Apple has established, so that this option is deactivated, without the possibility of activating it ourselves:

• If our Apple ID has a birth year under 18 years old.
• If the Apple ID is in the name of a company or educational institution.
• If we have specific configuration profiles installed to increase privacy and limit tracking.
• If the Apple ID we are using has been created less than three days ago

Block apps through Focus Modes

We often forget that we can mute or block apps through the Focus Modes that were first introduced on the iPhone and later extended to macOS. There are three focus modes within your iPhone, but we can also customize them according to our preferences. The steps to activate them are as follow.

1. Create a homepage with only the apps you want to allow.
2. Go to Settings > Focus Modes .
3. At the top right, click on the “+” .
4. Tap Custom , enter an icon and name, and tap Next.
5. If you don’t want to delete notifications, tap Allow .
6. Now under Allowed Apps, tap on Delete All .
7. Tap Allow and Ok .
8. Now tap on Home Screen and turn on Custom Pages .
9. Choose the screen that contains the apps you only want to be able to use.
10. You can activate this “Kids Mode” from the Control Center and by holding down Focus .

Ultimately, the shared use of iPhone and iPad devices, especially in households with children, raises the need to implement restrictions and application locks to ensure a safe digital environment. Although by default, Apple devices do not come with restrictions activated, understanding that the main users would be adults, the presence of minors requires additional configuration to protect them from inappropriate content and avoid unauthorized spending.

Since the introduction of parental control features in iOS 13, users have tools at their disposal to manage access to applications, purchases and web content, adapting the use of the device to the needs and age of each user. These measures not only limit access to specific applications and services, but also allow greater control over privacy and device settings, ensuring that young people navigate in a safer and more controlled environment.