Handing an iPhone or iPad to a child affords parents a few minutes of quiet – but also risks an embarrassing video call to your boss or a toddler-initiated Amazon order. Despite having a slightly odd name, Apple’s Guided Access feature is effectively a child lock for Apple devices like youriPhoneor iPad. It allows you to lock your iPhone oriPadinto a single app, such asDisney+when watching a video, so that your little ones can’t access other areas of your devices. It also means they can’t accidentally press to get out of the app either, hopefully reducing the number of times you have to reload Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol.
Guided Access is for handing over a device to a child temporarily, which is different fromParental Controlsmeant for a child-owned tablet or phone.When iOS 18 launchesin September 2024, iPhone and iPad users can also hide and lock specific apps, another handy feature parents may want to use.
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What is Guided Access on iPhone and iPad?
Guided Access is a child lock for iPhone and iPad
Guided Access is a mode on iOS that lets you keep your device stuck on one app. It’s perfect for making sure your kids stay in their lane, not wandering off into other apps or accidentally calling someone. you may even slap a timer on to keep screen time in check.
It’s also super handy because you can pick and choose what your kiddo can mess with in each app. With Guided Access on, the screen stays exactly as you set it, no matter how much they tap or poke around. You can even block off parts of the screen.
Guided Access isn’t the same asParental Controls. While Guided Access is all about temporarily sharing your device without the little ones going rogue, Parental Controls are more for devices that are all theirs, all the time.
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How to enable Guided Access on iPhone or iPad
Turn on the ability to child-lock your device
Before using Guided Access, you need to enable this feature in Settings. To turn on Guided Access, follow the steps below on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch:
How to start Guided Access on an iPhone or iPad
All it takes is three taps of the side button and tapping Start on the screen
Once you’ve enabled the Guided Access in Settings, you can turn that child lock on and off whenever you need it. To begin a Guided Access mode session:
On iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can set the Action Button to launch Guided Access instead. Go to Settings > Action Button > Accessibility > ‘Choose a feature’ > Guided Access.
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How to end Guided Access or unlock an iPhone stuck on Guided Access
Alright, so you’ve got your device in lockdown mode, and now you want out? Easy.
To exit the Guided Access Mode, justtriple-clickthe side button, or the home button on the iPhone 8 or older models. Next up, punch in yourGuided Access passcode. You can alsodouble-tapthe home or side button to useTouch ID or Face ID.
Once you’re in, just hit theEndbutton chilling in the top left corner of your screen. Boom, you’re back in control, and your device is no longer in kid lock mode.
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How to Adjust the Guided Access Settings
Parents can also disable volume or prevent the screen from rotating with the Guided Access Options
The settings for Guided Access are in two locations, which can make it difficult to find the different customization options. The options for the passcode, time limits, and turning the feature on or off are in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
But, within each app, you may also customize how you want Guided Access to work. For example, you can disable the volume buttons or allow them to adjust the volume themselves. To find these settings, you’ll open the app, triple-click the side button, then instead of tapping Start, tap Options first. Use the toggles to adjust the different options, then tap Done, then hit Start.
Here’s a table that breaks down the settings available in Guided Access and what they do. Keep in mind, the options you see can vary depending on the app you’re setting up for Guided Access. For instance, the Dictionary Look Up option won’t show up when you’re on Netflix, but it will be there in Safari.
Sleep/Wake Button
Disables the Sleep/Wake button on your device.
Volume Buttons
Disables the volume buttons.
Limits how your device responds to motion, including shaking and rotation.
Prevents the keyboard from appearing.
Stops the screen from responding to touch, useful for video apps like Netflix.
Dictionary Look Up
Enables the Look Up feature for selected text, available in certain apps like Safari.
Time Limit
Allows you to set a time limit for the Guided Access session.
