How to Lock Any App on Your iPhone With Shortcuts

You can lock any app on your iPhone for added security using Apple Shortcuts app. You'll learn how to set everything up from us.

On your phone, locking an app is the best way to keep others from using it. Although it has long been possible to accomplish this on Android, iOS does not support it.

It wasn't until Apple provided a new Lock Screen action in the Shortcuts app that we were able to design our own custom automation for locking iPhone apps.

Let's look at how to lock any iPhone app using the Lock Screen action to construct a custom automation.

Create a Personal Automation With the Lock Screen Action

Along with the iOS 16.4 release, Apple added the Lock Screen action to the Shortcuts app. Therefore, if you haven't already, update your iPhone to the most recent iOS version.

Make sure the Shortcuts app is installed on your iPhone next. Although it is pre-installed with iOS, you will need to download it again if you have somehow managed to remove it from your iPhone.

Download: Shortcuts (Free)

To establish a personal automation after it has been deployed, adhere to these steps:

Go to the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app.
Decide on Create Personal Automation.
Now, locate the app trigger by scrolling down and tap on it.
Select the app or apps you wish to lock by clicking Choose on the next page.
Click Next after making sure the Is Opened checkbox is ticked.
Look for Lock Screen in the search box and press on it to add it to the personal automation by tapping the Add Action button.
Click Next.
To enable the automation to run automatically—without obtaining your consent—switch off the Ask Before Running option.
To save, tap Done at the end.

Use Personal Automation to Lock Any iPhone App

Utilizing the own automation requires carrying out a few straightforward procedures after you've made it in Shortcuts.

Tap any of the applications you've included in your personal automation on your iPhone. When you do this, your iPhone will lock and bring up the Lock Screen.

If you have Face ID enabled on your iPhone, it will now instantly unlock the screen so you can engage with the app you just launched. However, to unlock your iPhone and activate the app if you have an older iPhone with a Home button, you must press the Home button with your registered finger.

Your iPhone will ask you for the passcode or password if neither Face ID nor Touch ID is activated. When you type it in, your iPhone should be unlocked and the requested app should be available on your screen.

Personal Automation May Not Be an Ideal Solution, but It Does the Job

The Shortcuts technique might seem more like a workaround than a perfect solution if you're familiar with Android's app-locking alternatives. And rightfully so, as the personal automation actually locks the iPhone rather than the app, delaying and slowing down the process.

Nevertheless, it still completes the task. And we believe it to be superior to past workarounds for iPhone app lockdown.