Best App Lock for iPhone in 2026
iPhone has no built-in app lock, but Invis fills that gap with Face ID protection, app groups, and Shortcuts automation — keeping all data on your device.
What to Look for in an iPhone App Lock
Not all app locks are created equal. Here's what matters.
Face ID / Biometric Support
A good app lock should leverage Face ID or Touch ID, not rely on custom passcodes. Biometrics are faster, more secure, and feel natural.
No Data Upload
An app lock handles your most sensitive information. Make sure it never uploads your app list or usage data to a server — all processing should stay on-device.
App Group Management
Lock all social apps, all banking apps, or all games at once. Custom groups let you quickly toggle protection without setting each app individually.
Shortcuts Integration
The best app locks integrate deeply with iOS Shortcuts, enabling time-based auto-lock, location triggers, NFC tag triggers, and other automations.
How Invis Locks Your Apps
Set up Face ID protection for your apps in four simple steps
Select Apps to Lock
Open Invis, browse your installed apps, and check the ones you want to protect. You can select multiple apps or pick an entire group at once.
Choose Lock Method
Select Face ID as your lock method. You can also combine it with hiding mode to make apps vanish from your home screen until you unlock them through Invis.
Create an App Group
Save your selected apps as a custom group — "Social Apps" or "Finance Apps," for example. Next time, lock the entire group with a single tap.
Activate Protection
Confirm and your selected apps are instantly protected by Face ID. You can also set up Shortcuts automations for time-based or location-based triggers.
How Invis Compares
See how Invis stacks up against other common approaches
| Feature | Invis | iOS Restrictions | Third-Party Lockers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face ID Lock | Yes | No | Partial |
| App Hiding | Yes | No | No |
| App Groups | Yes | No | Limited |
| Shortcuts Automation | Yes | No | No |
| Data Uploaded | No | N/A | Possibly |
| Requires VPN/Profile | No | No | Some do |
| Free to Use | Yes | Free | Mostly paid |
Who Needs an App Lock?
Different people, same need for privacy
Students
Hide games and social media during exam week. Set up a "Study Mode" Shortcut that auto-locks distracting apps, then unlock them when you're done.
Professionals
Quickly hide personal chats and social apps during meetings. Face ID lock ensures only you can access sensitive work or personal apps.
Parents & Partners
Protect banking, health, and private messaging apps. Lock inappropriate apps with one tap before handing your phone to your kids.
Privacy-Minded Users
Don't want anyone seeing certain apps? Invis can make apps completely disappear from your home screen — they reappear only after Face ID authentication.