---
title: "How to Lock Apps on iPhone: Guides for 21 Apps (iOS 27)"
description: "Lock apps on iPhone with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode in 10 seconds, plus guides for 21 apps: which have their own lock and what to do when one can't be locked."
url: https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/lock-apps
lang: en-gb
published: 2026-10-31
updated: 2026-10-31
author: "VaultForYou Editorial Team"
publisher: VaultForYou
---

# How to lock apps on iPhone, app by app

> iOS can lock most apps with Face ID. Some apps add a lock of their own, sometimes with a separate code. Here's which is which.

Published 2026-10-31 - Updated 2026-10-31 - By VaultForYou Editorial Team - Checked against iOS 27 - 31 Oct 2026

## Quick answer

Touch and hold the app, tap Require Face ID, then tap Require Face ID again to confirm. The app then asks for Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode every time it opens. It works on iOS 18 or later. Some built-in apps, such as Camera and Settings, can't be locked, and your iPhone passcode opens every locked app.

- **Guides:** 21 app-specific guides.
- **Works on:** iOS 18 or later for the Face ID method.

Touch and hold the app, tap Require Face ID, then tap Require Face ID again to confirm. The app then asks for Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode every time it opens. It works on iOS 18 or later. Some built-in apps, such as Camera and Settings, can't be locked, and your iPhone passcode opens every locked app.

Below: the method that works for every app, then a table of 49 apps with a guide for each one that has something of its own to hide, lock or limit. We checked every step against Apple's iOS 27 documentation and each app's help pages in October 2026.

## The method that works for every app

1. **Find the app on your Home Screen** Touch and hold the the app icon until the quick actions menu opens.
2. **Tap Require Face ID** On iPhones with Touch ID it says Require Touch ID. Require Passcode is also offered.
3. **Confirm** Tap Require Face ID again and authenticate. the app now asks for Face ID every time it opens.

## Lock apps: all 49 apps

| App | Category | iOS lock? | Own lock | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messages | Messaging | Yes | -- | [Messages privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/messages) |
| WhatsApp | Messaging | Yes | Screen Lock | [How to lock WhatsApp on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/whatsapp) |
| Facebook Messenger | Messaging | Yes | App lock | [How to lock Facebook Messenger on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/messenger) |
| Signal | Messaging | Yes | Screen Lock | [How to lock Signal on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/signal) |
| Telegram | Messaging | Yes | Passcode Lock (own code) | [How to lock Telegram on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/telegram) |
| LINE | Messaging | Yes | Passcode lock (own code) | [How to lock LINE on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/line) |
| Viber | Messaging | Yes | -- | [Viber privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/viber) |
| WeChat | Messaging | Yes | -- | [WeChat privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/wechat) |
| YouTube | Social | Yes | -- | [YouTube privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/youtube) |
| Instagram | Social | Yes | -- | [Instagram privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/instagram) |
| Snapchat | Social | Yes | -- | [Snapchat privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/snapchat) |
| TikTok | Social | Yes | -- | [TikTok privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/tiktok) |
| Facebook | Social | Yes | -- | [Facebook privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/facebook) |
| Reddit | Social | Yes | -- | [Reddit privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/reddit) |
| Discord | Social | Yes | -- | [Discord privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/discord) |
| X (Twitter) | Social | Yes | -- | [X (Twitter) privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/x) |
| Pinterest | Social | Yes | -- | [Pinterest privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/pinterest) |
| Threads | Social | Yes | -- | [Threads privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/threads) |
| Tinder | Dating | Yes | -- | [Tinder privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/tinder) |
| Bumble | Dating | Yes | -- | [Bumble privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/bumble) |
| Grindr | Dating | Yes | PIN (own code) | [How to lock Grindr on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/grindr) |
| Hinge | Dating | Yes | -- | [Hinge privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/hinge) |
| Cash App | Finance | Yes | Security Lock (own code) | [How to lock Cash App on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/cash-app) |
| Venmo | Finance | Yes | Face ID & Passcode (own code) | [How to lock Venmo on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/venmo) |
| PayPal | Finance | Yes | PIN login (own code) | [How to lock PayPal on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/paypal) |
| Coinbase | Finance | Yes | Require PIN / Face ID (own code) | [How to lock Coinbase on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/coinbase) |
| Robinhood | Finance | Yes | -- | [Robinhood privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/robinhood) |
| Amazon Shopping | Shopping | Yes | -- | [Amazon Shopping privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/amazon) |
| Google Chrome | Browsers & search | Yes | Hide Incognito tabs | [How to lock Google Chrome on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/chrome) |
| Brave | Browsers & search | Yes | Keep Private Tabs and Require Face ID | [How to lock Brave on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/brave) |
| DuckDuckGo | Browsers & search | Yes | Application Lock | [How to lock DuckDuckGo on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/duckduckgo) |
| Firefox | Browsers & search | Yes | -- | [Firefox privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/firefox) |
| Google | Browsers & search | Yes | Enable Face ID for Incognito mode | [How to lock Google on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/google) |
| Photos | Apple apps | Yes | Use Face ID for the Hidden and Recently Deleted collections | [How to lock Photos on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/photos) |
| Safari | Apple apps | Yes | Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing | [How to lock Safari on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/safari) |
| Notes | Apple apps | Yes | Locked notes (device passcode or custom password) (own code) | [How to lock Notes on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/notes) |
| Camera | Apple apps | No | -- | [How to lock Camera on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/camera) |
| Files | Apple apps | Yes | -- | [Files privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/files) |
| FaceTime | Apple apps | Yes | -- | [FaceTime privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/facetime) |
| Health | Apple apps | Yes | -- | [Health privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/health) |
| Mail | Apple apps | Yes | -- | [Mail privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/mail) |
| Gmail | Email & cloud | Yes | -- | [Gmail privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/gmail) |
| Google Photos | Email & cloud | Yes | Locked Folder | [How to lock Google Photos on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/google-photos) |
| Dropbox | Email & cloud | Yes | Passcode lock (own code) | [How to lock Dropbox on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/dropbox) |
| Google Drive | Email & cloud | Yes | -- | [Google Drive privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/google-drive) |
| Roblox | Entertainment | Yes | -- | [Roblox privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/roblox) |
| Netflix | Entertainment | Yes | Profile Lock (own code) | [How to lock Netflix on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/netflix) |
| Spotify | Entertainment | Yes | -- | [Spotify privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/spotify) |
| Life360 | Location | Yes | -- | [Life360 privacy settings](/en-gb/apps/life360) |

### Messaging

- [How to lock WhatsApp on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/whatsapp)
- [How to lock Facebook Messenger on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/messenger)
- [How to lock Signal on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/signal)
- [How to lock Telegram on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/telegram)
- [How to lock LINE on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/line)

### Dating

- [How to lock Grindr on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/grindr)

### Finance

- [How to lock Cash App on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/cash-app)
- [How to lock Venmo on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/venmo)
- [How to lock PayPal on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/paypal)
- [How to lock Coinbase on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/coinbase)

### Browsers & search

- [How to lock Google Chrome on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/chrome)
- [How to lock Brave on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/brave)
- [How to lock DuckDuckGo on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/duckduckgo)
- [How to lock Google on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/google)

### Apple apps

- [How to lock Photos on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/photos)
- [How to lock Safari on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/safari)
- [How to lock Notes on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/notes)
- [How to lock Camera on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/camera)

### Email & cloud

- [How to lock Google Photos on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/google-photos)
- [How to lock Dropbox on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/dropbox)

### Entertainment

- [How to lock Netflix on iPhone](/en-gb/lock-apps/netflix)

> **Keep them out of Photos entirely.** VaultForYou opens only with a pattern you draw. [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/vaultforyou/id0000000000)

## Frequently asked questions

### How do you put Face ID on apps?

Touch and hold the app on your Home Screen until the menu opens, tap Require Face ID, then tap Require Face ID again and authenticate. From then on, the app asks for Face ID every time you open it and locks again after you quit it.

### Which apps can't be locked on iPhone?

Apple has listed some apps that come with iPhone as impossible to lock, including Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts and Settings. For those, Screen Time with a Screen Time passcode is the closest alternative.

### Can someone open a locked app if they know my passcode?

Yes. The iOS lock accepts Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode, so anyone who knows your passcode can open every locked app. To keep something from that person, use an app lock with its own separate code, which a few apps offer.

### Does locking an app hide its notifications?

It hides what is inside them. Apple says information inside a locked app does not appear in CarPlay, notification previews, search, Siri suggestions or your call history. The icon itself stays on your Home Screen unless you also hide the app.

### Does a locked app stay locked on my iPad?

No. The locked or hidden status of an app does not sync with iCloud, so it only applies to the iPhone where you set it. Lock the app on your iPad separately with the same menu on iPadOS 18 or later.

## Bottom line

The iOS method above works for most apps in seconds. The guides add what each app can do on its own, which is where the real differences are.

## Sources

- [Apple Support: Lock or hide an app on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/lock-or-hide-an-app-iph00f208d05/ios)
- [Apple Personal Safety User Guide: Lock or hide apps on your iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/personal-safety/ipsd0be4c185/web)

## Related hubs

- [Hide apps on iPhone](https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/hide-apps)
- [Block apps on iPhone](https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/block-apps)
- [Hide photos on iPhone](https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/hide-photos)
- [Privacy settings for every app](https://www.vaultforyou.app/en-gb/apps)

---

Our guides are written and fact-checked by the VaultForYou team against Apple's own documentation. We make VaultForYou, a private vault app for iPhone. Download on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/vaultforyou/id0000000000