# How to lock Files on iPhone

> Lock Files on iPhone: touch and hold its icon and tap Require Face ID (iOS 18+). It can be locked but not hidden. Steps, limits and FAQ.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/lock-app/files/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Files quick actions menu with Require Face ID on iPhone](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/lock-app--files.png)

- Require Face ID
- Can't hide
- No in-app lock found

Built-in Apple app. Files shows downloads, scans and documents from iCloud Drive and other storage services in one place.

- **Lock:** Yes
- **Hide:** No
- **Needs:** iOS 18+
- **In-app lock:** None found

**Quick answer:** To lock Files, touch and hold its icon on the Home Screen and tap **Require Face ID** (Require Touch ID or Passcode on some iPhones). Needs **iOS 18 or later**. Files came with your iPhone, so it **can be locked but not hidden**.

What it covers

## What locking Files covers

- **Require Face ID**Whole app, iOS 18+
- **Hide in App Library**Built-in apps can't hide
- **Files' own lock**None found in its help
- **Notification previews**Content kept out when locked
- **Search and Siri suggestions**Content kept out when locked
- **Other devices**Lock doesn't sync via iCloud
- **Someone with your passcode**Passcode still opens it

Good to know about Files

- Locking Files locks the Files app. A document you open from another app is governed by that app.
- Files came with your iPhone, so it can be locked but not hidden.

3 steps

## Lock Files with Face ID

Apple's Require Face ID, iOS 18 and later.

**Tap:** Hold icon › Require Face ID › Confirm

1. **Touch and hold the Files icon.** On the Home Screen, touch and hold the app icon until the quick actions menu opens.
2. **Tap Require Face ID.** Tap **Require Face ID**. iOS 18 or later.
3. **Confirm with Face ID.** Confirm with Face ID or your passcode. From now on the app asks before it opens.

Compare

## Ways to lock Files, side by side

| Method | Opens with | What it covers | Code separate from passcode | Needs |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Require Face ID](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/glossary/require-face-id/) | Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode | The whole Files app | No | iOS 18 or later |
| [Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/guided-access/) | A separate Guided Access passcode | Keeps your iPhone in one app while someone holds it | Yes | Any iOS version |

Older iPhones

## Files on iOS 17 and earlier

Require Face ID and hidden apps arrived in iOS 18. Before that:

- **Guided Access:** Settings › Accessibility › Guided Access. Keeps your iPhone in one app; [steps](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/guided-access/).
- **Screen Time:** Settings › Screen Time › App Limits. Built for time limits, not privacy.
- **Photos you want locked:** The [Hidden album](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/hidden-album/) locks on iOS 16+, or a [locked note](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/locked-note/).

> Photos and videos behind a lock your passcode can't openVaultForYou 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

## Locking Files: questions

### How do I lock Files on iPhone?

Touch and hold the Files icon on your Home Screen, tap Require Face ID, then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. iPhones with Touch ID say Require Touch ID instead. You need iOS 18 or later. From then on Files asks before it opens, and relocks after you quit it.

### Can I hide Files on iPhone?

No. Files came with your iPhone, and Apple only lets you hide apps you download from the App Store. You can still lock it with Require Face ID, so it asks for Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode before it opens. The icon stays where it is.

### Does Files have its own lock?

Apple's guide describes no separate lock inside Files, so Require Face ID is the way to lock it. It works on iOS 18 and later and opens with Face ID, Touch ID or your iPhone passcode. That means anyone who knows your passcode can still open Files.

### Does locking Files hide its notifications?

Apple says information inside a locked app won't appear in notification previews, search, Siri suggestions or CarPlay. The lock applies only to the iPhone where you set it; the locked status doesn't sync to your other devices through iCloud, so lock it on each one.

### How do I lock Files on iOS 17 or earlier?

Require Face ID needs iOS 18. Older versions have no built-in way to lock Files. Guided Access keeps your iPhone in one app while someone holds it. Updating to iOS 18 or later, if your iPhone supports it, adds Require Face ID.

Sources

## Where these facts come from

- [Apple iPhone User Guide: Lock or hide an app](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/lock-or-hide-an-app-iph00f208d05/ios)
- [Apple Personal Safety User Guide: Lock or hide apps](https://support.apple.com/guide/personal-safety/ipsd0be4c185/web)

iPhone and Apple app names are trademarks of Apple Inc. This site isn't affiliated with Apple.

## Related

- [A vault for photos and documents](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/vault/)
- [Lock Dropbox](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/lock-app/dropbox/)
- [Lock OneDrive](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/lock-app/onedrive/)
- [What is App Library](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/glossary/app-library/)
- [Every app you can lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/lock-app/)