iOS 12 trick that allows you to passcode-protect apps

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  • First, set up a Screen Time passcode

    First, set up a Screen Time passcode

    If you don't already have one, you first need to set up a Screen Time passcode.

    Go to Settings > Screen Time and click on Use Screen Time Passcode to set this up.

    Hat-tip to Reddit and CNET for this tip.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Setting up the Screen Time passcode is simple

    Setting up the Screen Time passcode is simple

    Setting up the Screen Time passcode is simple. Just enter a passcode, then reenter it to confirm and it's all set for you.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Next, set up App Limits

    Next, set up App Limits

    Now that you've got a Screen Time passcode set, it's time to set up App Limits.

    From the Screen Time screen you were on previously, click on App Limits...

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Add a new limit

    Add a new limit

    ... click on Add Limit... 

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Select All Apps & Categories

    Select All Apps & Categories

    ... next make sure that All Apps & Categories is selected and click Next...

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Set the time limit to one minute

    Set the time limit to one minute

    On the next screen set the Time to one minute, make sure Block at End of Limit is checked (it should already be selected, just be sure to not tap it by accident), and then click Add.

    Now, any time you run an app, after one minute of use the user will have to enter a passcode and choose to allow the app to run for an extra 15 minutes, an hour, or all day.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Select apps you want to always allow to run

    Select apps you want to always allow to run

    It might get annoying to have all apps restricted to being able to run for one minute, so you might want to whitelist some app to allow them to bypass this limitation.

    From the Screen Time screen, click on Always Allow...

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Select whitelisted app

    Select whitelisted app

    ... and select the apps you want to whitelist from the list by clicking the green + symbol next to the name. You can also remove apps from the whitelist by clicking the red - symbol.

    You can add to or customise this list at any point afterwards.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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iOS doesn't give a direct way to passcode access to apps, but by using the Screen Time feature we can pull off something that is workable. Bear in mind that this trick does have limitations, so you might want to read on before making changes to your iPhone. This trick only works for devices running iOS 12, and also works for iPads.

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First, set up a Screen Time passcode

If you don't already have one, you first need to set up a Screen Time passcode.

Go to Settings > Screen Time and click on Use Screen Time Passcode to set this up.

Hat-tip to Reddit and CNET for this tip.

Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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Related Topics:

iOS Apple iPhone Mobile OS Mobility Enterprise Software

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