With so many devices in our tech arsenal, it is imperative to keep a tab on them.
But, it gets complicated as we are all so involved in our lives.
Privacy is a significant concern which is we have multiple authentication tools – in-display fingerprint scanner, Face ID and Touch ID, etc.
Apple’s new iPads use either Face ID or Touch ID, which makes them more secure than 2D face scanners and optical fingerprint scanners.
People are getting back to their everyday lives. So, interacting with others has increased, and so has the worries about people snooping on their apps.
You can just lock certain apps… on Android. This feature isn’t possible on any Apple devices unless you jailbreak.
No, please don’t do that.
However, there are other ways you can stop peeping toms.
How to lock iPad Apps
I came up with three methods that will let you lock apps.
Method 1: Guided Access
Guided Access is the best way to lock a specific app on your iPad. Initially introduced in iOS 6, it temporarily restricted Access to an app.
Step 1: Go to your iPad’s Settings
Step 2: Click on General and Accessibility.
Step 3: Tap on the ‘Guided Access’ option.
Step 4: Now, turn on the feature and click on the ‘Passcode Settings’.
Step 5: Select the “Set Guided Access Passcode” option. Now, you’ll need to set up a passcode to lock an app/apps.
Step 6: Launch the app you want to restrict Access to and click on the lock button three times. This will start the Guided Access mode.
Step 7: In order to exit the Guided Access mode, tap on the lock button three times and enter a passcode.
Method 2: Using ‘Screen Time’ to limit app usage
Apple recently introduced screen time, and it has some bonus functionalities.
Step 1: Launch Settings.
Step 2: Click on ‘Screen Time.’
Step 3: If you haven’t set a passcode already, click on ‘Set Screen Time Passcode’ to form a 4-digit code.
Step 4: Tap on ‘App Limits.’ You will see a screen pop-up asking for your Screen Time passcode.
Step 5: Toggle the button next to App Limits to green.
Step 6: Select ‘Add Limit.’
Step 7: Choose the app you want to lock and tap on ‘Next.’
Step 8: Select a limit of one minute or more.
Step 9: Tap ‘Add’ in the right corner.
Step 10: Ensure that ‘Block at End of Limit’ is turned on.
Now, the apps that you select will be locked. If you want to unlock your app, go to the app click on ‘Ignore Limit.’
You will get another prompt asking you if you want to unlock the app for one more minute, 15 minutes, or remove the limit for the day. Select one that suits you.
Method 3: Siri Shortcuts
Siri Shortcuts is another nifty feature that will let you lock apps on your iPad.
Step 1: Launch the ‘Shortcuts’ app on your iPad.
Step 2: To create an action, click on ‘Add Action.’
Step 3: Search for ‘Ask for Input’ and select it.
Step 4: You will have to choose between ‘Number,’ ‘Text,’ ‘URL,’ and more.
Step 5: You can select anything you want. I will go for ‘Number.’
Step 6: Tap on ‘Prompt’ to prompt for the passcode.
Step 7: Here, you’ll have to add another action. Look for ‘If’ and add it to your Shortcut.
Step 8: Now, tap on ‘Condition’ and choose ‘is.’
Step 9: Click on ‘Number’ again and enter a suitable yet strong passcode.
Step 10: Now, click on the ‘Open App’ action to the shortcut and drag it between the ‘If’ and ‘Otherwise’ sections.
Step 11: Select the app that you want to lock. Let’s take WhatsApp as an example as everyone is super into reading chats.
Step 12: Open WhatsApp, and you’ll that it will ask you for a passcode. However, WhatsApp already has a built-in biometric restriction, so I suggest you use this for Files or other apps. Banking apps, too, have their biometric locking system in place.
Conclusion
This is you can lock iPad apps.
I implore Apple to add a built-in feature to lock apps as it claims to focus on users’ privacy.
Until Apple takes a step, you’ll have to use these workarounds.
Android users will quickly point out that they can do that, but it is an open-source platform, and Apple is known for its wall-garden approach.
I like the Siri Shortcuts feature, even though it is tricky to set up.
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