Our iPhone holds a lot of personal information and dialogues, which we certainly don't want to be read by unauthorized people. If we have a habit of often leaving our phone around the house or office, we can put an additional filter to block applications on the iPhone, so that even if someone manages to unlock it, we will not have to fear that they can read the our messages on WhatsApp or log in to Facebook without our consent. Compared to Android (where there are many methods and apps to block applications), on the iPhone we will have to "manage" with the tools that Apple itself has made available to us, so that we can block applications on the iPhone effectively, without resorting to dubious external apps or to unorthodox methods that are not very inclined to the Apple philosophy.
IPhone lock screen
The first method, very simple and effective, to block applications on the iPhone is to activate the lock screen, so that every time we turn off the screen of our phone and turn it on again, we will be asked for the unlock code or biometric password (footprint or face).If we have not activated it yet, go to the Settings menu, tap on Touch ID and code or on Face ID and code (on newer iPhones), then select the Enable code item.
In the new screen we enter a six-digit personal code; alternatively, select Code options to switch to a four-digit numeric code, a custom numeric code or a custom alphanumeric code.
After entering the code, we provide biometric data for quick unlocking (you will be asked for the fingerprint or face details, based on the iPhone in use). Confirmed the biometric data, we can lock the iPhone at any time, so as to effectively block our applications. Anyone who unlocks the phone will have to enter our personal code or be biometrically registered in order to access our apps.
If we have problems configuring Touch ID or Face ID, we recommend that you read the official Apple guide on Touch ID and the official Apple guide on Face ID.
Note : the iPhone lock is also applied within some system apps as an additional security system (for example when we buy or install apps on the App Store). Some third-party apps also integrate the access lock via Touch ID or Face ID, we just have to check in the app settings to be able to take advantage of this security system.
Block app via "Usage time"
What can we do if instead we want to block apps after the lock screen "> parental control form but that we can use in all respects as an app blocking system .To activate this innovative application block, go to the Settings app, tap on Usage time, then select the Activate "Usage time" option . After selecting Continue, we press on It's my iPhone, so as to unlock the administrative options of the system.
Let's tap on the item Use "Usage time" code, choose a unique 4-digit PIN code, to be used to access the apps that we will add to the system. After setting the code, we return to the previous menu and select the Limitations on pp button. The system will ask us for the code set a while ago, insert it and select the item Add imitation of use .
Unfortunately, the system does not allow you to choose individual apps, but we can only block the category to which it belongs (for example, to block Facebook, WhatsApp and other similar apps, simply apply the limit to the Social Network category).
Set the categories to block, tap on the top right on Next and, in the new screen, set the lowest possible use limit, i.e. 1 minute, and activate the Block item at the end of the limit .
Now all that remains is to press Add on the top right to enable the lock system supported by the iPhone.
Starting from the activation of the usage time, it will be sufficient to use the designated apps for one minute (every day), after which the system will block the access and request the PIN created a little while ago in order to continue accessing. So every day we will have only one minute of "discovered": we will only have to be careful to let this minute pass quickly, so that all the apps that we want to block are accessible afterwards only for those who know the unlock code. If we want to change the unlock code or remove it, simply go to Settings -> Time of use again and select the item Change code "Time of use", so as to show the small comic in which to choose whether to change the code or remove it permanently.
Conclusions
Even if there are no apps available for blocking sensitive applications, the iPhone offers integrated tools that are very simple to configure and above all effective, net of limitations (for example we will always have to wait a minute every day to block apps through the Use time function).Those who own an Android smartphone, can choose from many apps and integrated systems that can block access to sensitive applications, as we saw in our guide to Apps to block the opening of applications on Android . If, on the other hand, we wanted to improve the lock screen on Android devices, we recommend that you read the article on How to change Android lock screen with lockscreen apps .
