Key Takeaways
- iPhone has a built-in Face ID app lock on iOS 18+. Long-press an app icon, tap Require Face ID, done. It doubles as the fastest way to put a password on apps, with no extra app required.
- Most Android phones have a native App Lock too, but the path varies. Samsung calls it Secure Folder. Xiaomi and OnePlus call it App Lock. Pixel doesn’t have one (use a third-party app or Family Link).
- The strongest setups combine two methods. Face ID lock plus Screen Time on iPhone, or native App Lock plus Family Link on Android, layered together so a kid can’t just disable one.
- Free third-party app lockers vary widely in trustworthiness. Norton App Lock and Samsung Secure Folder are the safest defaults. Some popular free Android app lockers have been caught harvesting data.
Your kid is borrowing your phone to watch a YouTube video. Or you’re handing your phone to a friend so they can take a picture, and you’d rather they not scroll your Messages or banking app. Or you keep opening Instagram every five minutes and need to lock yourself out for the next two hours. In every case the fix is the same: lock the app or put a password on it.
This article covers how to lock apps on iPhone and Android in five practical ways. Most people don’t realize their phone already has a native app-lock feature buried in Settings: Face ID on iPhone (iOS 18+), App Lock on Samsung and Xiaomi, plus parental controls and no-app methods that work on both platforms. The methods cover iPhone, iPad, and Android phones, with platform-specific paths for Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Pixel. Setting up iPhone parental controls is the broader iOS reference for parents.
Why Lock Apps?
Locking apps on your phone serves three purposes: protecting sensitive data (banking, medical, photos) when someone else handles your phone, restricting kids’ access to specific apps without locking the whole device, and reducing self-distraction from social media or other time-sink apps.
Protecting personal data when someone else uses your phone. The most common adult use case. Banking apps, photo libraries, dating apps, messages, all the things you wouldn’t want a borrower to scroll through.
Restricting kids’ access to specific apps. The parent use case. You give a kid your phone to watch a video, and you don’t want them buying something on Amazon, opening your work email, or sending a message to your boss.
Self-distraction control. Some people lock social media apps on themselves to break the habit of opening them every five minutes. Method 4 (Screen Time on iPhone, Family Link on Android) is the best fit for this use case.
5 Ways to Lock Apps on Any Phone
Five reliable ways to lock apps, depending on your device and use case. Method 1 is iPhone-only (the iOS 18 Face ID feature). Method 2 is Android-only (built-in App Lock features that vary by manufacturer). Methods 3, 4, and 5 work on both platforms. Jump to the method that matches your setup.
Method 1: Lock Apps on iPhone with Face ID (iOS 18+)
On iOS 18 or later, iPhone has a native Face ID app lock feature. Long-press an app icon, tap Require Face ID, confirm with Face ID. The app now demands a Face ID scan before opening. The same feature works on iPad with iPadOS 18+.
This is the iOS 18 native answer. Quick, no setup, no extra app, no Screen Time passcode required.
1. Long-press the app icon you want to lock.
2. Tap Require Face ID (or Require Touch ID on older devices) from the menu.
3. Confirm with Face ID when prompted.
This covers basic Face ID locking. To hide the app entirely so it doesn’t appear in Search, Siri results, or notifications, the Hidden Apps folder in iOS 18 is the right answer. For the full iPhone walkthrough including Hidden Apps, Screen Time App Limits, and Guided Access, see lock apps on iPhone in detail.
Method 2: Lock Apps on Android with Built-In App Lock
Most Android phones include a native App Lock feature, but the location varies by manufacturer. Samsung uses Secure Folder. Xiaomi uses App Lock in Settings → Apps. Pixel relies on third-party apps because Google removed the built-in option. Check your manufacturer’s path first.
Android is fragmented when it comes to app locking. Where Apple gives you one official method (Face ID lock in iOS 18), Android gives you four different methods depending on who made your phone. Here’s the breakdown for each major manufacturer.
Samsung phones (Secure Folder).
Settings → Biometrics and Security → Secure Folder. Move apps you want to lock into the Secure Folder. The folder requires fingerprint, PIN, or password to open. Apps inside Secure Folder appear as separate, sandboxed instances; the original versions stay unlocked unless you remove them. Samsung’s Knox security backs the implementation, which makes it one of the more secure native options on any platform.
Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones.
Settings → Apps → App Lock. Add apps to the list, set a PIN or fingerprint, done. This is the cleanest native implementation across Android. Works the same on MIUI and HyperOS. The app icon for App Lock also lives in the App Drawer for direct access.
OnePlus, Realme, and Oppo (ColorOS).
Settings → Privacy → App Lock. Similar setup to Xiaomi. Some older OxygenOS versions had it under Utilities instead, but the location settled in Settings → Privacy as of OxygenOS 13. The feature pairs with fingerprint unlock for the cleanest user experience.
Google Pixel and stock Android.
Google removed the built-in App Lock feature in Android 10. Pixel users either install a third-party app (Method 3) or use Family Link if the phone is a child’s (Method 4). The reason Google gave: native App Lock was redundant with biometric unlock at the phone level. Most users disagree.
All native Android App Lock options are free, don’t require Google account changes, and don’t show ads. The third-party route (Method 3) only becomes necessary on Pixel and stock Android. For network-level blocks that work alongside any app lock, see block inappropriate websites on Android.
Method 3: Lock Apps with a Third-Party App (Cross-Platform)
Third-party app lockers work on both iPhone and Android, with different effectiveness on each platform. AppLock by DoMobile (Android, 100M+ downloads) and Norton App Lock (Android, free) handle Android. On iPhone, third-party app locking is heavily restricted by iOS sandboxing, so most App Store “app lock” apps are wrappers around Screen Time.
The fallback for users whose phone doesn’t have a strong native option (Pixel, stock Android, or pre-iOS-18 iPhones).
On Android
- AppLock by DoMobile: free with ads, 100M+ downloads, the most popular option.
- Norton App Lock: free, no ads, the safest free option for trust and privacy.
- Smart AppLock: paid, more features including intruder selfies and fake covers.
All Android app lockers require accessibility permission, which is broad. Review the permissions before installing because accessibility access lets the app read what’s on your screen, type for you, and observe your taps.
On iPhone
iOS sandboxing prevents one app from blocking another. Most “app lock” apps on the App Store are wrappers around Screen Time, Guided Access, or password vaults. The native iOS 18 Face ID lock (Method 1) and Screen Time App Limits (Method 4) are the actual paths.
Third-party app lockers vary in trustworthiness. Some popular Android app lockers have been caught harvesting user data, showing aggressive ads, or selling permissions to third parties. Norton App Lock is the safest free option; Samsung’s Secure Folder (Method 2) is safer still if you have a Samsung phone.
Method 4: Lock Apps with Parental Controls (Screen Time, Family Link)
Parental control tools lock apps differently than per-app locks. Instead of requiring a fingerprint each time, they restrict access based on time, content rating, or category. Screen Time on iPhone lets you set an App Limit on individual apps. Google Family Link does the same on Android.
Two distinct use cases here: locking apps on a child’s device, and locking apps on your own device for self-distraction.
On iPhone with Screen Time.
Settings → Screen Time → App Limits → Add Limit. Set a time limit (1 minute works as effectively a hard lock) and protect it with a Screen Time passcode. The app becomes inaccessible once the limit hits until you enter the passcode. The limit resets daily at midnight by default.
On Android with Google Family Link.
Install Family Link on the parent’s device. Tap the child’s profile → Controls → Daily limits → set per-app limits. Same logic as Screen Time. This requires that the child has their own Google account, which Family Link can create if they’re under 13.
On iPhone, App Limits work particularly well for social media apps: Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook. The 1-minute App Limit is the standard hack for adults wanting to lock themselves out of these apps without going cold turkey.
App Limits are temporary unlocks by passcode, not permanent locks. If you want a permanent lock without a passcode prompt, use Method 1 (iOS Face ID) or Method 2 (Android native). For details on removing locks later if needed, see turn off parental controls on iPhone.
Method 5: Lock Apps Without Any Extra App (Guided Access, Screen Pinning)
Both iPhone and Android have native features that lock the phone to a single app temporarily. Guided Access on iPhone and Screen Pinning on Android. The phone won’t leave the locked app until you enter a passcode or fingerprint.
This addresses the “without Screen Time” and “without any app” searches. Useful when you’re handing the phone to someone for a specific task.
Guided Access on iPhone.
Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access → turn on. To start a session: open the app you want to lock to, triple-press the side button, tap Start. The phone is now locked into that one app. Triple-press the side button to exit (Face ID required).
Screen Pinning on Android.
Settings → Security → App pinning → turn on. Open the app, tap the Recents button, swipe up the app preview, tap the pin icon. The phone stays in that app until you swipe up and hold to unlock with PIN or fingerprint. Available on Android 5 and later.
This isn’t a true per-app lock. It’s a lock to a single app at a time. Use it when handing your phone to someone temporarily, like a kid for a 10-minute show, a friend taking a picture, or a stranger getting directions. Not as a permanent restriction.
Common Mistakes When Locking Apps
Three things commonly trip people up.
- Trusting a free third-party app locker without checking permissions. Many free app lockers harvest data or sell permissions to third parties. Prefer native methods first (Methods 1 and 2). If you must use a third-party app, choose Norton App Lock or check the privacy policy before installing.
- Using only one method when locking for a child. Kids find workarounds fast. Pair Face ID app lock with Screen Time App Limits on iPhone, or native Android App Lock with Family Link on Android. Our kids bypass Screen Time post covers the workarounds children actually use.
- Forgetting the Screen Time passcode after setting App Limits. Once set, you can’t change App Limits without the passcode. Write it down somewhere safe, or use a different passcode than your phone unlock.
For Parents: When Locking Apps Isn’t the Real Answer
For older kids and teens, locking individual apps is a useful tool in a larger setup. For younger children handed a phone for 20 minutes, an app-by-app lockdown is more friction than it’s worth.
Instead of locking every app on your phone, some parents hand the child a dedicated app pre-built for safety. No autoplay, no comments, no ads, all content reviewed in advance.
Jellies is that. A video app for kids where every video is hand-reviewed by our team for safety. For parents with young kids, browsing what’s safe by design at jelliesapp.com is worth a look. It works alongside any app-lock setup you have on the rest of your phone.
Wrapping Up
Five methods covered: Face ID lock on iPhone, native App Lock on Android (different paths for Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Pixel), third-party apps as a fallback, Screen Time and Family Link for parental and self-distraction use cases, and Guided Access or Screen Pinning for temporary single-app locking.
The fastest action right now: if you’re on iPhone with iOS 18, long-press an app and tap Require Face ID. 10-second test. If you’re on Android, check Settings → Apps for App Lock (Xiaomi, OnePlus) or Settings → Biometrics and Security for Secure Folder (Samsung). If neither path exists on your phone, Method 3 is the fallback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lock apps on iPhone without Screen Time?
Yes. iOS 18 and later has a built-in Face ID app lock (Method 1). Guided Access (Method 5) is the alternative for older iOS versions or when you want to lock the phone to a single app.
How do I lock apps on Android without downloading an app?
Most Android phones have a built-in App Lock. Samsung calls it Secure Folder, Xiaomi calls it App Lock under Settings → Apps. Pixel and stock Android users need a third-party app.
Is it safe to use a third-party app locker?
It depends on the app. Norton App Lock and Samsung Secure Folder are safe. Many free Android app lockers harvest user data, so check the privacy policy before installing one.
How do I lock social media apps on my phone?
Use Screen Time App Limits on iPhone or Family Link on Android. Set a 1-minute limit and protect it with a passcode the phone owner doesn’t know easily.
Can I lock myself out of an app?
Yes. Set a Screen Time App Limit on iPhone (or Family Link daily limit on Android) and have someone else set the passcode. You can’t override it without them.
How do I put a password on an app?
Every method in this guide puts a password or biometric lock on an app. On iPhone, long-press the app and tap Require Face ID, which protects it with Face ID or your device passcode (Method 1). On Android, use your phone’s built-in App Lock, such as Samsung Secure Folder or Xiaomi App Lock, and set a PIN, password, or fingerprint (Method 2). For a child’s device, parental controls add a separate passcode only you know (Method 4).