Apple is significantly enhancing privacy in iOS 18 with new features that allow users to lock and hide apps, ensuring they are inaccessible without authentication via Face ID or Touch ID.
Users can now secure their apps by long pressing the app icon and selecting the "Require Face ID" option. When someone tries to open a locked app, they will encounter a notification stating that secondary authentication is required. This provides an effective way to keep sensitive information out of reach. While essential apps like Maps, Clock, Calculator, and Stocks remain unlocked, most other apps, including third-party ones, can be secured.
In addition to locking, iOS 18 introduces the ability to hide apps. Hidden apps are moved to a special folder that requires authentication to access, making them invisible in search results and notification lists. This ensures that notifications and calls from these apps will not appear, enhancing privacy further.
To disable app locking, users can long press the app icon and choose "Don't Require Face ID." This action also requires Face ID verification, preventing unauthorized deactivation. These new privacy features are also available on the iPad, offering consistent security across Apple’s mobile devices.
