App Lock lets you protect and hide any app on your iPhone

iOS provides developers an API to lock apps using Face ID or Touch ID. However, this option is not available in all apps, and there is no way to completely hide apps from your device. Fortunately, App Lock is a simple yet powerful app that helps users protect and even hide any apps on their iPhone and iPad. Read on as we explain in detail how the app works.

Lock and hide apps on your iPhone with App Lock

App Lock essentially brings a long-awaited feature to iOS users: the option to completely hide apps or lock them using Face ID or Touch ID. The application does not rely on complex modifications or tricks. Instead, it uses the Screen Time API to control access to apps and system settings.

Once you open App Lock, you will see a list of all the apps installed on your iPhone or iPad. Just like the Screen Time settings, App Lock will display your apps organized by category, making it easy to hide or lock multiple apps at once. For example, you can hide all your banking apps with just a few clicks by selecting the Productivity and Finance category.

The first tab in the app lets you lock your apps using biometrics, while the second Hide tab completely hides your chosen apps — even from the App Library. Once you've chosen the apps you want to lock or hide, click Start, and you're done.

In addition to being more intuitive than Screen Time's native settings, the main advantage of App Lock is that it locks apps instantly, while Screen Time forces users to set a time limit for apps before locking them. Of course, to access or unhide apps, you have to open App Lock again – which is protected by biometrics and a PIN.

App Lock also has advanced options to block installation and removal of apps, disable in-app purchases, and restrict changes to iOS settings.

You can Try App Lock for free. However, unlocking the full app requires a paid subscription. It's a bit pricey, but it may be worth it for the privacy and security features it offers. Note that it requires an iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or later.