For enhanced privacy, some third-party iOS apps include options to require a passcode or Face ID authentication before opening the app, even if the iPhone is already unlocked. This puts the app content behind an extra layer of security, but not all apps offer the same functionality.
Until recently, Apple didn’t offer a way to individually lock sensitive apps like Photos, and iPhone users had to resort to Screen Time app restrictions as a workaround. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. You can now create an additional security barrier for any app on your iPhone with the new Shortcut Actions in iOS 16.4.
Apple has added some new actions to the Shortcuts app, but the interesting part here is the lock screen. The Lock Screen action essentially lets you set up a personal automation that automatically locks your iPhone when you open a specified app.
Of course, this action won’t cause any access issues as the iPhone owner, but even if the iPhone was unlocked when you tapped the app, someone else trying to open the app first would be It means you have to go through facial recognition or enter your passcode. icon.
The following steps will walk you through the process of setting up a personal automation that instantly locks your iPhone when you open an app of your choice.
- Start the shortcut Apps on iPhone.
- Tap. automation Click the tabs at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap. + Tap the button in the upper right corner, Create personal automation.
- Scroll down and tap app.
- confirm is open On the next screen, is checked, so tap choose.
- Select an app from the list and tap end.
- Tap Nextthen tap the blue Add action Click the button on the next screen.
- Enter “Lock Screen” in the text field and select it. lock screen When you see it in the results below, tap Next.
- Turn off the switch next to ask before running.
- Tap don’t ask Tap on the pop-up prompt. end.
Your personal automation is now complete and should work automatically the next time you open the app of your choice. Note that the same lock screen actions are also in macOS 13.3, but there may be other ways to access content without launching Mac apps.
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