what to know
- Open Settings > Screen Time > Use Screen Time Passcode and set a passcode if you haven't already.
- Go to App Restrictions > Add Restriction > Select an App > Next > 1 Minute > Add . Use the app for one minute.
- Then, click Request more time > One more minute . Once the timer expires, the app is password locked.
This article explains how to lock iPad apps using the built-in Screen Time feature.
Screen Time is the best way to lock apps with passcode. This feature is designed to prevent kids from playing games, watching videos, etc. all day long, but with some workarounds, it can also be used to password protect any app.
An easy way to lock all iPad apps at once is to lock the iPad screen.
Open Settings and tap Screen Time .
Click Use Screen Time Passcode .
If you don't see this option, you need to enable Screen Time by selecting "Turn on Screen Time"
Enter your password and re-enter it to confirm.
If you've already set a Screen Time passcode, skip to step 5.
Enter your Apple ID and password, then click OK .
Click on App restrictions .
Click Add restriction . You'll be asked to enter your Screen Time passcode to continue.
Select an app category, such as Entertainment, or select one or more individual apps to lock. Then, click Next .
Set the time to 0 hours and 1 minute , make sure the Block when limits end switch is on, and click Add .
Open the app and keep it open for one minute.
Click to request more time .
Click for another minute .
Wait another minute.
The application is now locked with your password.
The Screen Time feature is primarily designed to limit the time your kids can access specific apps, so completely locking apps using this feature is a workaround. The reason you might consider this workaround is that it allows you to block access to specific applications. If you don't want your kids to use an app at all, you can use this method to prevent them from opening it.
This technique of locking apps also prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information. For example, if you need to give someone physical access to your iPad, but you don't want them to be able to scroll through your photos, you can lock access to the Photos app and any other apps you wish to use Confidentiality.
Locking an app will only lock it to other people. As long as you remember the password, you can access the app at any time, even after time runs out.
To use a locked app, open it and tap Ask for more time > Enter Screen Time passcode . Then, select how long you want to unlock the app; options include 15 minutes, an hour, or a full day.
Remember, if you unlock an app, anyone using your iPad can access it for the time you specify.
You can lock any application on your iPad. However, some apps will not work properly if they are completely locked. For example, if you lock Messages or FaceTime using the method above, they won't be able to send or receive messages, so you won't receive notifications from them.
You can use Screen Time to completely block all apps on your tablet except the ones you want people to use (for business use, for example). You can also use Guided Access to prevent someone from exiting an iPad app. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and turn the feature on, then triple-click the Home or top button to activate it.
Screen Time also lets you turn off in-app purchases. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > In-App Purchases and select Don't Allow .
