The newest iOS update, iOS 18, brings a host of innovative features designed to enhance user security and privacy. One significant addition is the ability to lock individual apps using Face ID and place them in a hidden folder, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps required to lock and hide apps on your iPhone running iOS 18.
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One of the primary motivations behind this new feature is to provide users with more control over their personal data. As our phones store increasingly sensitive information, it becomes crucial to protect that data from unauthorized access. With iOS 18, Apple has made it easier than ever to safeguard your apps. To begin, you’ll need to ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest software. Head over to ‘Settings’, then ‘General’, and finally ‘Software Update’ to check if iOS 18 is available for your device.
Once you’ve updated to iOS 18, you can start the process of locking and hiding apps. Open the ‘Settings’ app, navigate to ‘Privacy’, and then select ‘Face ID & Passcode’. Here, you will find an option to ‘Use Face ID for’ where various categories such as ‘iTunes & App Store’, ‘Apple Pay’, and ‘Password AutoFill’ are listed. Scroll down until you see ‘App Lock’, and toggle it on. This will enable Face ID authentication for supported apps.
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Next, you’ll need to select the apps you wish to lock. Go back to the main ‘Settings’ menu, and scroll down until you find ‘App Lock’. Tap into it, and you’ll see a list of all the installed apps that support Face ID locking. Simply toggle the switch next to each app you want to lock. Once done, these apps will require Face ID authentication each time you try to open them, adding an extra layer of security.
After securing your apps with Face ID, you may want to hide certain apps altogether to ensure they are not easily accessible. This is useful for maintaining privacy or decluttering your home screen. To hide apps, go to the ‘Settings’ app, select ‘Home Screen’, and then choose ‘Hidden Apps’. Here, you can add the apps you wish to hide by tapping the plus (+) icon next to each app.
Hiding apps does not uninstall them; it merely removes them from the home screen and app library. You can easily access your hidden apps by using the search feature on your iPhone or through the ‘Settings’ menu. To unhide an app, follow the same steps and remove it from the ‘Hidden Apps’ list.
Another useful feature in iOS 18 is the ability to create a folder specifically for sensitive or private apps. You can combine this with the app locking feature to enhance security further. To create a hidden folder, touch and hold an app icon until it begins to jiggle, then drag it on top of another app. This will create a new folder. While the folder is still jiggling, drag it to the edge of the screen until it moves to a new page. You can then name this folder something inconspicuous.
Once your hidden folder is set up, add all your sensitive apps by dragging and dropping them into the folder. Because these apps are also locked with Face ID, this folder offers multiple layers of security. Even if someone finds the hidden folder, they will still need to authenticate each app with Face ID to open them.
It’s important to remember that securing your apps with Face ID and hiding them can greatly enhance your privacy, but it is also crucial to maintain good security practices overall. Regularly updating your software, using strong passcodes, and enabling two-factor authentication for important accounts are all measures that can help protect your personal information. With these steps, you can confidently lock and hide apps on your iPhone with iOS 18, ensuring optimal security and privacy.
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