# Can you lock Settings on iPhone?

> Apple doesn't let you lock or hide Settings on iPhone. What works instead: Screen Time restrictions behind a Screen Time passcode, or Guided Access.

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

![What to use instead of locking Settings on iPhone](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/lock-app--settings.png)

- Can't lock
- Can't hide

Built-in Apple app. Parents and partners want to stop someone changing the passcode, Face ID or Screen Time.

- **Lock:** No
- **Hide:** No
- **Needs:** —
- **In-app lock:** None found

**Quick answer:** **You can't.** Apple lists Settings among the built-in apps that can't be locked with Require Face ID, and built-in apps can't be hidden. Instead: **Screen Time restrictions**. Turn on **Content & Privacy Restrictions**, then set **Allow Changes To** options to **Don't Allow**. A Screen Time passcode protects these choices.

At a glance

## Settings: what you can and can't do

- **Require Face ID**Apple doesn't allow it
- **Hide in App Library**Built-in apps can't hide
- **Screen Time restrictions**Works instead
- **Guided Access**Keeps the phone in one app

Good to know about Settings

- Apple lists Settings among the built-in apps that can't be locked.
- Screen Time's Content & Privacy Restrictions, protected by a Screen Time passcode, can stop changes to some settings.

Instead

## What to use instead: Screen Time restrictions

**Tap:** Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions

Turn on **Content & Privacy Restrictions**, then set **Allow Changes To** options to **Don't Allow**. A Screen Time passcode protects these choices.

Not lockable

Apple's list of built-in apps that can't be locked includes Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts, Settings.

Compare

## Ways to lock Settings, side by side

| Method | Opens with | What it covers | Code separate from passcode | Needs |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Screen Time restrictions | Your Screen Time passcode | Changes to the settings you restrict | Yes | Any recent iOS |
| [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

## Settings on iOS 17 and earlier

These work on older versions too:

- **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.

Questions

## Locking Settings: questions

### Can you lock the Settings app on iPhone?

No. Apple lists Settings among the built-in apps that can't be locked, along with Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps and Shortcuts. Touch and hold its icon and you won't get the Require Face ID option, which works on other apps from iOS 18.

### Can I hide the Settings app?

No. Apple only lets you hide apps you downloaded from the App Store, and Settings came with your iPhone. Built-in apps stay on the Home Screen or in App Library. Removing an icon from the Home Screen doesn't lock anything, because the app still opens from App Library.

### What can I use instead of locking Settings?

Screen Time restrictions: Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, then set Allow Changes To options to Don't Allow. A Screen Time passcode protects these choices. It isn't the same as Require Face ID, but it covers the usual reason people want to lock Settings. Guided Access is a second option for handing your phone over.

### Does Guided Access stop someone opening Settings?

Yes, while it runs. Guided Access keeps your iPhone inside one app until someone enters the Guided Access passcode, so they can't switch to Settings. Start it with a triple-click of the side or Home button. It ends as soon as you enter the code.

Sources

## Where these facts come from

- [Apple Personal Safety User Guide: Lock or hide apps](https://support.apple.com/guide/personal-safety/ipsd0be4c185/web)
- [Apple iPhone User Guide: Block features or content with Screen Time](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/block-features-or-content-with-screen-time-iph3ff83f3b1/ios)

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

## Related

- [Guided Access](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/guided-access/)
- [Can you lock Camera?](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/lock-app/camera/)
- [Can you lock Contacts?](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/lock-app/contacts/)
- [What is App Library](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/glossary/app-library/)
- [Every app you can lock](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/lock-app/)