Buzz
Even though your iPhone is secured with a passcode or Touch ID, it doesn't mean your device is completely safe from curious onlookers. From text message notifications to Siri, your iPhone's lock screen is filled with alerts, features, and settings that anyone can find out, even when your device is locked.
For instance, you can 'keep secrets' by hiding notifications on the lock screen, disable controls that could make you lose your phone in airplane mode, turn off lock screen Siri access. The 6 ways to lock your iPhone screen below will help you achieve this.
6 Ways to Secure Your iPhone Screen Lock
1. Disable lock screen notifications
Nobody wants others to see the content of their messages and notifications on their iPhone, but that could happen if you allow apps like Messages and Mail to display notifications on your iPhone's lock screen. You might even reply to messages or delete Mail notifications directly from the notifications displayed on the lock screen, even when your iPhone is locked.
If you're concerned about others seeing notifications from Messages, Mail, and other apps on your iPhone's lock screen, you might consider turning off notifications for 'sensitive' apps on the iPhone lock screen.
Tap on Settings =>Notifications to view the list of installed apps on your iOS device. Choose an app, then toggle the Show on Lock Screen option to OFF to disable app notifications from displaying on the iPhone lock screen.
However, there is no way to turn off all notifications for all apps at once.
2. Block access to Today widget and Notifications
Swipe from the left to the right on the iPhone lock screen, and you or any other user using your device can see the Today widget. This means depending on the widgets you've installed, others can check your calendar, inbox, and quickly dial your favorite contacts, etc.
Certain 'sensitive' apps like Activity and Find My Friends won't display anything on the widget until you unlock your phone.
Additionally, if you swipe down from the top of the Today view, you'll see a summary of all notifications on the iPhone lock screen, organized by date. Essentially, it's the activity history of your important apps throughout the week, visible to anyone.
If you don't want anyone to view the Today view or previous notifications on the Notification screen, you can disable access to the Today widget and Notification on the iPhone lock screen.
To do this, go to Settings =>Touch ID & Passcode, scroll down to find Allow Access When Locked, then uncheck the settings for Today View and Notifications View.
Note that when you uncheck the Notifications View setting under Allow Access When Locked, lock screen notifications for each app still appear on the lock screen unless you've disabled these notifications in the Notifications settings window.
3. Disable Control Center access
Swipe up from the bottom on the iPhone lock screen, and you'll see the Control Center - a panel containing settings and controls for everything, from toggling airplane mode and Do Not Disturb mode to time settings and toggling LED flash.
It's a useful feature, but if activating the Control Center on the lock screen allows a 'thief' to enable airplane mode, rendering your device untraceable via Find My iPhone, and you don't want someone to 'tamper' with Control Center settings on the iPhone lock screen, go to Settings =>Control Center, then disable the Access on Lock Screen setting.
4. Restrict Siri Access
Siri can perform some pretty interesting tasks even when your iPhone is locked. For instance, Siri can ring your work alarm, schedule new meetings, create reminders, and even send text messages to contacts.
While Siri doesn't carry out 'sensitive' tasks (like reading emails) without a passcode, if you wish, you can completely restrict Siri on the lock screen.
Go to Settings =>Siri, then uncheck Access When Locked.
5. Disable Wallet Access
For Apple Pay users, iOS allows quick access to credit cards from the iPhone lock screen by double-pressing the Home button.
While you can't make purchases without Touch ID or a passcode, if you don't want your Apple Pay cards to show on the lock screen or find it annoying when the credit card pops up every time you accidentally press the Home button, you can turn off Wallet.
To block access to iOS Wallet on the lock screen, go to Settings =>Wallet & Apple Pay, then uncheck Double-Click Home Button. Wallet will still appear when you hover your phone over an Apple Pay terminal, or you can launch Wallet from its app or with Siri.
6. Set iPhone in Lost Mode
Imagine you haven't set any security for your iPhone lock screen, and one day while on a bus or in a crowded place, you suddenly realize your iPhone has 'disappeared' from your pocket. With quick action, there's still a way to remotely lock your iPhone.
What Mytour wants to highlight here is putting your iPhone in Lost Mode using Find My iPhone. Activating this mode will immediately mute all notifications, alarms, and incoming call rings. The Control Center will be disabled, and even the Camera shortcut will be turned off.
To put your lost iPhone in Lost Mode, go to iCloud.com, then click on Find My iPhone, select your iPhone, and click on the Lost Mode button. Alternatively, you can also enable Lost Mode using the Find My iPhone app on other iOS devices.
Note that Lost Mode will only work if your lost iPhone still has access to a wireless network. If the thief has enabled airplane mode on your iPhone, then unfortunately, there's no other option.
Additionally, you can explore how to remotely lock your iPhone using Touch ID. Locking your iPhone remotely ensures the data on your iPhone is secure, and the thief or finder won't be able to use your phone.
