🔒 Lock It Down: App-Level Security on Your iPhone

Author

Peter Oram
September 23, 2025

We all know to put a passcode on our iPhones, but here’s the problem: once someone is past that lock screen, your apps can still give away way too much. Banking apps, private photos, medical records, even your location — they’re often wide open if you haven’t taken extra steps.

Think of it this way: your iPhone passcode is like the front door to your house. But what if you left all the inside doors open — bedroom, office, filing cabinet? Anyone walking in would still see things you’d rather keep private. App-level security closes those inside doors, giving you control over who sees what.

Here’s how (and why) to do it:

1. 🕵️ Hide Apps You Don’t Want on Display

Why: Sometimes privacy isn’t about hackers — it’s about family, coworkers, or just nosy friends. Hiding apps like dating platforms, financial tools, or health trackers keeps them out of sight, which means fewer awkward questions.

How:

  • Press and hold an app, choose Remove App > Move to App Library (so it’s off your Home Screen but still installed).

  • Or, hide entire pages of apps: hold down on your Home Screen, tap the dots at the bottom, and uncheck the pages you want hidden.

2. 👁️ Require Face ID or Touch ID to Open Certain Apps

Why: If someone gets hold of your unlocked phone — say, your kid while you’re distracted — they shouldn’t be able to access your banking or password manager. A second layer of protection means even if your phone is open, the app itself stays locked.

How:

  • Many Apple apps (like Notes, Wallet, Passwords) support Face ID/Touch ID. Check Settings > Face ID & Passcode.

  • For third-party apps (like your bank, PayPal, or Dropbox), look inside the app’s settings for a Face ID toggle. Turn it on.

3. 🚫 Tell Apps Not to Track You

Why: Many apps don’t just use your data while you’re in them — they track you across the web and other apps, building detailed profiles of your habits. That means more invasive ads and more companies holding onto your personal info.

How:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking.

  • Switch off “Allow Apps to Request to Track.” This blocks apps from asking in the first place.

  • You can also manage tracking permissions app-by-app if you want more control.

4. 📊 Use the “App Privacy Report” to Catch Bad Behavior

Why: Some apps ask for way more access than they need (like a flashlight app that wants your location). Others might ping your contacts or camera in the background. The Privacy Report shows you which apps are behaving and which ones aren’t.

How:

  • Open Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report.

  • You’ll see a list of which apps accessed your camera, mic, photos, or location — and how often.

  • If anything looks suspicious, go back into Privacy & Security and revoke permissions, or delete the app entirely.

5. 💸 Lock Down Purchases and Downloads

Why: Kids, guests, or even you (late-night scrolling!) might accidentally rack up in-app purchases or download apps you don’t want. Adding restrictions keeps your wallet safe.

How:

  • Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

  • Create a passcode (different from your phone passcode).

  • From there, you can block app downloads, in-app purchases, or require approval before any purchase is made.

6. 🔐 Control App Permissions

Why: Apps often ask for more than they really need — your location, your contacts, even your microphone. The more they get, the more data you’re handing over. Tightening permissions keeps your digital footprint smaller and reduces the risk of leaks.

How:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.

  • Review categories (Camera, Location, Contacts, etc.) and see which apps have access.

  • If an app doesn’t absolutely need it, turn it off. For example, your weather app doesn’t need your photos, and your flashlight doesn’t need your location.

⚡ Quick Takeaways

  • Your iPhone passcode protects the front door — but apps are the rooms inside. Lock them too.

  • Use Face ID, permissions, and privacy settings to keep sensitive apps under control.

  • Stop apps from tracking you, and check the Privacy Report regularly to see what they’re up to.

Until next time — stay private, stay safe.

— Peter Oram
Chief Cyber Safety Officer

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