iOS 18: How to protect your apps with Face ID on iPhone

If you accidentally leave your device unlocked and give others a privacy concern, then protecting apps with Face ID is a game-changer for you.

iOS 18 introduced this app-locking feature that puts you in greater control.

However, some important apps like Calculator and Camera are set to remain unlocked, and children under 13 in Family Sharing can't use this feature. It is important to note that locking an app on your iPhone doesn't automatically lock it on other iCloud-connected devices. Gadinsider has covered a step-by-step guide for how to protect your apps with Face ID.

How to protect your apps with Face ID

Find an app you want to lock

Look on your Home Screen and identify an app that you are looking to lock.

Press down on icon

Now touch and hold on to the app icon. This will display the quick actions menu.

Choose to Require Face ID

Tap Require Face ID (this may show Touch ID or Passcode depending on your device).

Confirm your selection

You will be asked to confirm if you need to use Face ID so just tap Require Face ID again.

Read more: How to setup iOS 18 on your iPhone

Before you do, consider whether you also want to hide the app from your Home Screen for double security – if so, tap Hide and Require Face ID.

Open app

When you want to open an app, tap the app from the Home Screen (or tap the app via the Hidden folder at the bottom of your App Library which you will find if you continue to swipe left on the Home Screen).

Unlock app

If you decide that you don’t want to lock an app any more, then follow steps one and two above but this time select Don’t Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode).