# Locked note vs Guided Access

> Locked note vs Guided Access: both use their own lock. 7 differences in one table, and which one to pick for your situation and your iPhone.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/locked-note-vs-guided-access/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Locked note compared with Guided Access on iPhone](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/compare--locked-note-vs-guided-access.png)

- Stronger: Locked note
- 7 differences

Locked note: Notes › ••• › Lock. Guided Access: Triple-click. 7 of 11 things differ.

- **Locked note level:** 3/4
- **Guided Access level:** 1/4

**Quick answer:** **Locked note** is best for a handful of photos behind a password your partner or family doesn't know. **Guided Access** is best for showing one photo without letting someone swipe to the rest. Locked note keeps out more people, because your iPhone passcode doesn't open it.

Side by side

## Locked note vs Guided Access: 11 things compared

**We make VaultForYou, so weigh it accordingly.**

|  | [Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/) | [Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/guided-access/) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Opens with | A custom notes password (or your passcode, iOS 16+) | A separate Guided Access passcode, to leave the app |
| Separate from your passcode | Yes | Yes |
| Holds video | No | Yes |
| Several private spaces | Yes | No |
| Decoy for pressure | No | No |
| Protects stored photos | Yes | No |
| What others can see | The note title, with a lock icon | Nothing is stored; it only limits the screen |
| If you forget it | Apple can't recover a custom notes password | Force restart your iPhone, then reset it in Settings › Accessibility › Guided Access |
| Needs | iOS 14+ | iOS 14+ |
| Setup time | 1 min | 1 min once |
| Cost | Built in, free | Built in, free |

Pick one

## Which should you use?

Locked noteChoose it if…

- You want more than one private space
- You want photos protected while the phone sits unlocked

[How to set it up ›](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/)

Guided AccessChoose it if…

- You need to lock videos too
- You only need a short-term lock while handing your phone over

[How to set it up ›](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/guided-access/)

Differences

## Where Locked note and Guided Access differ

|  | Locked note | Guided Access |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Opens with | A custom notes password (or your passcode, iOS 16+) | A separate Guided Access passcode, to leave the app |
| Holds video | No | Yes |
| Several private spaces | Yes | No |
| Protects stored photos | Yes | No |
| What others can see | The note title, with a lock icon | Nothing is stored; it only limits the screen |
| If you forget it | Apple can't recover a custom notes password | Force restart your iPhone, then reset it in Settings › Accessibility › Guided Access |
| Setup time | 1 min | 1 min once |

> A lock that isn't your iPhone passcodeVaultForYou keeps the photos, videos and documents you choose in a private vault that opens only with a pattern you draw. [Get VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/)Free to download · iPhone, iOS 16 or later

Questions

## Locked note vs Guided Access: questions

### Is the locked note or the guided access more secure?

Locked note keeps out more people: it has its own lock, so your iPhone passcode doesn't open it. Guided Access is quicker to set up and built in.

### Can I use the locked note and the guided access together?

Yes. They don't conflict. For example, use Guided Access when you hand your phone over, and keep private photos behind the other lock.

### Which works on older iPhones?

Both need iOS 14 or later.

## Other matchups

- [Hidden album vs Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-locked-note/)
- [Hidden album vs Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/hidden-album-vs-guided-access/)
- [Photos app vs Locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-locked-note/)
- [Photos app vs Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/photos-app-vs-guided-access/)
- [Locked note vs Vault](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/locked-note-vs-vault/)
- [Guided Access vs Vault](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/compare/guided-access-vs-vault/)