How to Lock Apps on iPhone with Face ID: Step-by-Step Guide
Protect your sensitive apps with Face ID on iPhone. Learn native methods and discover a simpler way to lock apps with biometric authentication.
Why Lock Your Apps?
Your iPhone already requires Face ID or a passcode to unlock the device itself. But once it's unlocked, anyone who has your phone can open any app. That's a problem if you hand your phone to someone to show them a photo, let a friend make a call, or leave your phone unattended on a desk.
App locking adds a second layer of security. Even if your iPhone is unlocked, locked apps still require Face ID (or a passcode) before they can be opened. This is especially important for apps that contain sensitive personal data.
Which Apps Do People Lock Most?
Before diving into the how-to, it helps to know which apps most people want to protect:
Banking & Finance
Bank apps, payment apps, investment platforms — anything connected to your money.
Photos & Media
The Photos app contains personal images and videos that deserve an extra layer of privacy.
Messages
Text messages, WhatsApp, Telegram — private conversations you want to keep private.
Social Media
Instagram, TikTok, X — accounts that could be misused if accessed by someone else.
Mail apps contain password resets, personal correspondence, and sensitive documents.
Health & Notes
Health data, journaling apps, and notes often contain deeply personal information.
Method 1: Use the Shortcuts App (Free, Native)
Apple doesn't offer a direct "lock this app" button in iOS, but you can create a workaround using the Shortcuts app with Face ID verification. Here's how:
Open the Shortcuts app and tap the + button to create a new shortcut.
Tap Add Action and search for "Require Face ID." Add this action to your shortcut.
Add a second action: search for "Open App" and select the app you want to lock.
Name your shortcut something like "Open [App Name]" and add it to your home screen using Shortcuts > Add to Home Screen.
Remove the original app from your home screen (long-press > Remove from Home Screen). Now the only way to open it is through your new shortcut, which requires Face ID first.
This method works but has limitations. The original app still appears in the App Library and Spotlight search. Someone could bypass your Face ID lock by searching for the app directly. It's a workaround, not a true app lock.
Method 2: Screen Time Passcode
You can use Screen Time's App Limits feature as an indirect way to lock apps.
Go to Settings > Screen Time.
Tap App Limits and then Add Limit.
Select the app or category you want to restrict and set the timer to 1 minute.
Set a Screen Time passcode that's different from your iPhone passcode under Settings > Screen Time > Use Screen Time Passcode.
Once the daily minute is used up, the app requires the Screen Time passcode to continue using it. This effectively locks the app behind a passcode — though it's not Face ID, and you need to wait for the minute to expire before it activates.
Make sure your Screen Time passcode is different from your main device passcode. Otherwise, someone who knows your passcode can bypass the Screen Time lock.
Method 3: Use Invis for Seamless Face ID App Locking
The native methods work in a pinch, but they're clearly designed as workarounds. Invis was built specifically to solve this problem — locking individual apps with Face ID, without hacks or compromises.
Download Invis from the App Store and open it.
Set up Face ID authentication during the initial setup process.
Select the apps you want to lock. You can lock individual apps or create groups (for example, "Social Media" or "Finance Apps").
Toggle Face ID Lock for each app or group.
That's it. Now whenever you (or anyone else) try to open a locked app, Face ID authentication is required. No shortcuts to create, no timers to wait for, no workarounds.
Unlike the Shortcuts method, Invis locks apps at the system level. There's no way to bypass the lock through Spotlight search or the App Library. If Face ID fails, it falls back to your passcode — just like unlocking your iPhone.
Troubleshooting Face ID Issues
If Face ID isn't working properly with app locking, here are the most common fixes:
Face ID Doesn't Recognize You
- Make sure your face is fully visible to the front camera — no masks, sunglasses, or obstructing angles.
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap Reset Face ID to set it up again. Sometimes recalibrating fixes recognition issues.
- Ensure the TrueDepth camera area at the top of your screen is clean — a smudge or screen protector misalignment can interfere.
Face ID Option Is Grayed Out
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and verify that Face ID is set up for iPhone Unlock.
- Restart your iPhone — this resolves temporary glitches with the Face ID sensor.
- Make sure you're running the latest version of iOS. Apple regularly improves Face ID reliability in updates.
Face ID Works for iPhone Unlock but Not for Apps
- Some apps need Face ID permission individually. Check Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Other Apps and make sure the relevant apps are toggled on.
- If you're using Invis, make sure the app has Face ID permission in the same settings menu.
If you share your iPhone with a trusted person, you can add an alternate appearance under Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Set Up an Alternate Appearance. This allows a second person to use Face ID to unlock protected apps.
Comparing the Methods
| Feature | Shortcuts | Screen Time | Invis | |---------|-----------|-------------|-------| | Uses Face ID | Yes | No (passcode) | Yes | | True app lock | No — workaround | Partial | Yes | | Bypass via search | Possible | No | No | | Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy | Easy | | Works with all apps | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Can lock app groups | No | Yes (by category) | Yes |
Your iPhone is your most personal device. It holds your finances, your conversations, your photos, and your health data. A single passcode unlock isn't always enough — especially when you share your screen with others throughout the day.
Whether you choose the free Shortcuts workaround or a dedicated solution like Invis, adding Face ID protection to your most sensitive apps is a smart move. The question isn't whether you need app locking — it's how much friction you're willing to tolerate to get it.