How do I lock my iPhone or iPad to one app? Use Guided Access!
Whether you're working for a business that wants to use iPads to display information or you'd simply like your child to focus on their homework app, you can use Apple's Guided Access feature to lock your screen on one specific app.
Built as an Accessibility feature, Guided Accees limits users to one specific app, preventing them from switching to another program or returning to the Home screen. This can be extremely useful in a number of settings, including education, autism research, businesses, restaurants, museums, and more.
Whether it's a writing app, drawing app, music app, math app, or a story, video, or reading app, Guided Access helps make sure that all attention remains on that app. It also prevents you from accidentally exiting to the Home screen or another app when you don't mean to.
Guided Access can even be used to create a "guest mode," allowing you to hand your device to someone so that they can use Safari, iBooks, Video, or a game without having to worry that they'll snoop through your personal information.
How to enable Guided Access on iPhone and iPad
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on Accessibility.
Tap on Guided Access under the Learning section.
- Tap the switch to turn on Guided Access.
- Tap on Passcode Settings.
Tap Set Guided Access Passcode and set a passcode.
- Toggle Accessibility Shortcut to On, which allows you to triple-click the Home button and enter Guided Access at any time.
How to use Guided Access
- Launch the app you'd like the user to have access to. In this case, we used Camera.
- Triple click the Home button to launch Guided Access.
Circle any areas of the screen that you would like to make inaccessible.
- Tap on Options in the bottom left corner to choose whether or not you want to grant access to the Sleep/Wake button, Volume buttons, touch screen, and motion. Tap Done to save your selections.
Tap on Start at the top of the screen to begin Guided Access.
Once Guided Access is enabled, anyone trying to leave the specific app you've locked it to will receive a banner message telling them to triple-click the Home button to exit. If they don't know the pre-set passcode, they won't be able to exit Guided Access.
Questions?
Have more questions about Guided Access? Let us know in the comments below!
Reader comments
How to use Guided Access on iPhone and iPad
Use with Caution: I experienced loss of Wi-Fi connection, app freezes & the inability to turn off the restricted access. (*iPad2)
I tried this for a client, the iPad was for the Crestron control system of their custom AV system. I got tired of people switching the Wi-Fi from the sandboxed Crestron network to the corporate Wi-Fi with Internet, then wondering why they couldn't control anything.
In about a week (maybe the long time was the problem) they couldn't control anything, and the app was basically frozen and I couldn't triple click out of the guided access settings.
I had to hard reboot the iPad.
I'm sure this is a rare example, and this feature is more intended for locking on a game for your kid so he can't go messing up other stuff.
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Sounds like a unique issue that doesn't really apply to using guided access in general.
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I assumed as much. GA probably isn't intended for extended use. I looked into the iPad configurator to accomplish the 1-app lockdown, but it wouldn't work for my situation due to varying account from client to client. It also wouldn't allow lockdown of Wi-Fi, which is all I really needed.
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@durfmobile Hi, I am also facing the same problem i think iOS 7.x.x having this bug mine is iPad 3... I also had to hard reboot the iPad. Please don't go for guided access.
I just got an iPod touch for my son. Now I give him limited access and blocked apps he shouldn't use but what about volume control?
Anyone know how to set a time limit on an app for a child (Mindcraft) as well as limit them to one app as described above? Can both be done simultaneously? Thanks!
I can't find anything in the settings on my iPhone. Maybe just set an alarm for the time you want him to turn it off, but there's nothing to stop him from turning it off that alarm.
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Please use the timer with this option (stop playing)...
Hello,
Here how can i disable the triple click on home button and how can i set Guided Access enable if i restart my iphone.Please help me..Thank You