For iOS users seeking greater privacy and control over their mobile apps, a new solution called “App Lock” is offering powerful features that have been notably absent from Apple‘s mobile operating system. While iOS provides developers with APIs to implement biometric authentication like Face ID and Touch ID, not all apps utilize these capabilities. Moreover, there has been no built-in way for users to completely hide apps from view on an iPhone or iPad. App Lock aims to fill that void.

Hiding apps from the Home Screen and App Library

The core functionality of App Lock is straightforward yet revolutionary for many iOS users. Upon opening the app, users are presented with a comprehensive list of all installed apps organized by categories like Productivity, Games, Finance, Social, and more. From this interface, they can selectively choose which apps to lock behind Face ID, Touch ID or a PIN code requirement. Alternatively, apps can be completely concealed – hidden not just from the home screen carousel, but also from the App Library which contains every installed app.

App Lock’s approach is notably more straightforward than Apple’s native Screen Time parental controls, which require setting time limits before locking occurs.

Under the hood: Screen Time API

Despite its powerful functionality, App Lock relies on the same Screen Time API that Apple provides to developers and parents for app monitoring and restrictions. However, App Lock’s interface makes these privacy controls much more intuitive and unified compared to the fragmented Screen Time settings.

This approach means that to unlock, unhide or uninstall concealed apps, users must re-authenticate into App Lock itself using Face ID, Touch ID or their PIN code. The app provides extra lockdown options like blocking new app installs, disabling in-app purchases or restricting changes to core iOS settings as well.

Pricing and compatibility

While App Lock is free to download and use for basic features, the developer offers an optional $4.99/month or $14.99/year subscription to unlock the full suite of app hiding and lockdown capabilities.

App Lock requires iOS 16 or later to run on iPhones and iPads, limiting its compatibility to relatively recent Apple mobile devices at this time. As iOS 18 approaches later this year, it remains to be seen if Apple will enhance its own privacy controls to match the functionality App Lock is bringing to the table. For now, the third-party app presents an appealing option for customers prioritizing personal privacy on their mobile devices.