How to add a password to an iPhone or Android app

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Every day we use our phones to access private and personal information. Emails, credit card data, bank statements, Venmo transactions, the list goes on. It can be frustrating to not have an easy way to lock certain apps with a password for those who are a little more security conscious than others. But don’t worry anymore.

This article will show you how to add a password to any app on your phone or Apple Watch and protect your personal information and data.

How to add a password to an app on an iPhone or iPad

iPhones have always been designed with the user in mind. They come with a set of built-in apps like calendar, camera, clock, and FaceTime. The App Store also gives you instant access to thousands of apps that can help you do almost anything.

Some of these apps may contain sensitive information that you do not want to share with others who have access to your tips. That’s why Apple has made sure you can lock specific apps with a password.

Here’s how to do it.

How to Add a Password to an App on an iPhone or iPad Using Guided Access

Guided Access is an iOS feature that allows you to disable all but one of the apps on your device. When this feature is enabled, only one application of your choice can be accessed. It can be especially useful when you’re letting a friend or child borrow your iPhone for a while.

Here’s how to activate Guided Access on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app and tap Accessibility.
   
2. Select Guided access.
   
3. Tap on Password Settings.
   
4. Select Set Guided Access Password.
   
5. Enter the password you want to use. Ideally, choose a different password than the “master” password used to unlock your device.
   
6. Re-enter the password.
   
7. Go to the app you want to keep unlocked.
   
8. Triple tap the home button on iPhone 8 or later. For iPhone X or earlier, triple-tap the side button.
   
9. Select Guided access and touch Begin.
   

Once activated, Guided Access will only allow the use of a single unlocked app on your iPhone. All other applications on your device will be unavailable.

To end Guided Access, simply triple-tap the Home button or Side button, select Guided accessand touch End.

How to add a password to an app on an iPhone or iPad using Screen Time

Some iPhone users find Guided Access too restrictive because only one app can be opened. Maybe all you want is to keep your child away from a particular game or social media account. Or maybe you want to let someone borrow your iPhone and use multiple apps while restricting access to some parts of your device.

If this is what you have in mind, Screen Time can save the day. But what is this?

Screen Time (available in iOS 12 or later) is a built-in feature that allows you to track the amount of time you spend in inpidual apps. You can also limit the amount of time each app is used per day and even block some apps for a while.

Here’s how to lock an app using Screen Time:

1. Open the Settings app and tap Screen time.
   
2. Navigate to Application limits and select Add limit. At this point, you should see a list of all the apps on your iPhone.
   
3. Tap the checkbox button next to each app you want to block, and then tap Next.
   
4. Set a time limit for apps to crash. You can restrict access for hours, days, or even just a few minutes.
   

The only drawback of Screen Time is that it does not restrict access to applications permanently. Therefore, you may want to set a higher time limit if you don’t want your apps to be unlocked when your device is still in someone else’s hands.

How to add a password to an Apple Watch

Apple Watches are useful devices that can improve your life in many ways, but there are some security risks if you don’t take steps to protect them.

The first thing you should do with any new watch is set up an alphanumeric access code. That will prevent anyone without the code from accessing certain features, including using Apple Pay to make contactless transactions or automatically unlocking your Mac when you’re near it.

That is how:

1. Open the Settings app and scroll down and tap Access code.
   
2. Tap Activate password.
   
3. Enter the passcode you want to use on your watch.
   

How to add a password to an application on an Android

Nowadays, many people find themselves in a situation where they lend their Android phones to someone else, whether intentionally or not. When this happens, you may want to make sure certain apps on your phone are locked with a password for privacy and security purposes.

There are two ways to lock inpidual apps on Android. Let’s see how each one works:

Pin screen

Screen pinning refers to the ability to pin (or lock) your Android device’s screen to run an app, with access restrictions to all other apps. If an attempt is made to exit the application, the user will be prompted to enter a password.

Screen pinning is the equivalent of the Guided Access feature on iOS devices.

Here’s how to activate this feature on your Android device:

1. Open Settings and touch Security.
   
2. Tap on Advanced and then select Pin screen either Pin windows.
   
3. Move the button to IN position.
   
4. Toggle the Lock device when unpinning either Request PIN before unpinning button. That means your device will ask you for a passcode before unpinning the app.
   
5. Tap on the General description button.
   
6. Tap the app you want to pin and then tap pin.
   

When you unpin a pinned screen, it returns to its previous state: running all the apps that were open before you pinned it. You can use this feature whenever you hand over your phone or tablet to someone else temporarily.

Third party applications

Although Screen Fining can be a useful tool when you want to restrict access to certain apps on your Android, you cannot open any other app except the pinned one.

If you want your child or friend to have a little more freedom when using your device, you should consider installing a third-party tool designed specifically for putting a password on inpidual apps.

The most popular tools on the market include App lock, Smart app lockand App Lock Pro.

Protect your data

Whether or not to add a password to your phone is a question that many people struggle with. You want protection, but you also need easy access for yourself and others who may need it. In this situation, it is best to lock specific applications with a password.