In this guide, you will learn how you can lock apps with Face ID on your iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro and boost your privacy as a result.
iOS 26 has a built-in app locking feature that lets users protect apps of their choice with Face ID. When Face ID protection is activated for an app, it can only be opened after a successful Face ID scan or entering the iPhone’s passcode.
Lock apps with Face ID on iPhone
You can follow these steps to add Face ID protection to apps.
- Unlock your iPhone and on the home screen, find the app that you want to lock.
- Long-press on its icon. This will reveal an actions menu.
- On this menu, find and tap on the Require Face ID option.
- From the prompt, tap on Require Face ID to only add Face ID protection.
On the prompt, you can also tap on the hide and Require Face ID option, which will not only add Face ID protection to your app but also hide its icon in the Hidden folder that is found on the App Library screen.
After Face ID lock has been added to an app, you will be required to scan your face with Face ID or enter your iPhone’s passcode to unlock the locked app before you can use it.
Another cool thing about this feature is that it also hides the app on the app switcher screen, so your content is not revealed when switching apps.
Removing Face ID from apps
To remove Face ID protection, simply long-press on the app’s icon, tap on Don’t Require Face ID, and confirm with Face ID authentication.
And that’s how you lock apps on iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro using Face ID!
