Summarize this article with:
Someone grabbed your unlocked iPhone. Now they are scrolling through your Messages.
Apple does not let you password-protect individual apps natively. But there is a workaround.
Learning how to put a password on apps on iPhone using Shortcuts gives you control over which applications require authentication before opening.
The Shortcuts app can trigger a Lock Screen action whenever someone tries to access protected apps. This forces Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode verification first.
This guide walks you through creating a personal automation in iOS 16.4 or later. You will also learn an alternative method using a custom numeric password.
Takes about 5 minutes. No third-party apps needed.
How to Put a Password on Apps on iPhone Using Shortcuts: Quick Workflow
There are actually two ways to pull this off. The first (and easier) method locks apps by sending you to the Lock Screen. The second creates a fake app icon that asks for a passcode before opening the real app. Pick whichever fits your situation.
Method A: Lock Screen Automation (Easiest)
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap the Automation tab at the bottom
- Tap the + button to create a new Personal Automation
- Select App as your trigger
- Tap Choose, pick the app(s) you want to lock, and make sure Is Opened is checked
- Hit Next, then add the Lock Screen action
- Turn off Ask Before Running so it triggers automatically
- Tap Done
That’s it. Now when anyone opens that app, the iPhone immediately goes to the Lock Screen. You’ll need Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to get back in.
Method B: Fake App Icon With Passcode Prompt
- Open Shortcuts and create a New Shortcut
- Rename the shortcut to match the app you want to lock (e.g., “Instagram”)
- Add the Ask for Input action, set it to Text, and write a prompt like “Enter passcode”
- Add an If action to compare the input against your chosen password
- Inside the “If” block, add an Open App action pointing to the real app
- In the “Otherwise” block, add nothing (or a Stop Shortcut action)
- Tap the shortcut name, select Add to Home Screen, and set the icon to match the original app
- Hide the real app from your Home Screen (long press, Remove from Home Screen)
Heads up:Â Anyone who knows their way around the Shortcuts app can find and disable these automations. This is more of a casual deterrent than a bulletproof lock. For real security on iOS 18 and later, Apple now lets you lock and hide apps natively through Settings.
Prerequisites
Before starting, make sure your device meets these requirements:
- iOS version: iPhone running iOS 16.4 or later (check Settings > General > About)
- Shortcuts app: Pre-installed on iOS; redownload from App Store if removed
- Authentication method: Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode already configured
- Time needed: 3 to 5 minutes
- Skill level: Beginner
If you have not configured biometric authentication yet, learn how to set up Face ID on iPhone first.
Step 1: How Do You Open the Shortcuts App and Access Automations?
Open the Shortcuts app from your Home Screen or App Library, then tap the Automation tab at the bottom of the screen to view existing automations or create new ones.
Finding the Shortcuts App
Swipe down on your Home Screen and type “Shortcuts” in the search field. Tap the app icon to launch it.
Cannot find it? The app might be in your App Library or you may need to download apps on iPhone again from the App Store.
Accessing the Automation Tab
Look at the bottom navigation bar. Tap Automation (middle icon).
You will see any existing automations listed here, or an empty state if this is your first time.
What You Should See
- Bottom bar with three tabs: Shortcuts, Automation, Gallery
- Plus (+) button in the top right corner
- List of existing automations (if any)
Step 2: How Do You Create a New Personal Automation?
Tap the plus (+) icon in the top right corner, then select Create Personal Automation on iOS 16 or New Automation on iOS 17 and later to start building your app lock workflow.
Starting a New Automation
The plus button opens the automation creation menu. Personal automations run only on your device and do not sync across other Apple devices.
Choosing the Right Automation Type
Select Personal Automation (not Home Automation). This keeps the app lock specific to your iPhone.
iOS Version Differences
- iOS 16.4 to 16.x: Tap “Create Personal Automation”
- iOS 17 and later: Tap “New Automation” then choose from the trigger list
After tapping, you will see a list of available triggers including Time of Day, Alarm, App, and more.
Step 3: Where Do You Select the App Trigger for Your Automation?
Scroll down the trigger list and tap App, then tap Choose to select which apps will trigger the Lock Screen action when opened.
Locating the App Trigger
The App trigger is usually near the middle of the list. Tap it to proceed to app selection.
Selecting Apps to Protect
Tap Choose to see your complete app list. Select one or multiple apps you want to password-protect.
A checkmark appears next to each selected app. You might want to protect Messages, Photos, Instagram, banking apps, or any application containing sensitive data.
Configuring the Trigger Condition
- Confirm Is Opened is selected (not Is Closed)
- Leave “Run Immediately” or similar options for the next step
- Tap Next in the top right corner
If you want to restrict apps on iPhone completely rather than just lock them, Screen Time offers different options.
You can also block apps at certain times on iPhone if you need time-based restrictions instead of password protection.
Step 4: How Do You Add the Lock Screen Action?
Tap Add Action, search for “Lock Screen” in the search field, then tap the Lock Screen action to add it to your automation workflow.
Finding the Lock Screen Action
The search bar appears at the top of the actions list. Type “Lock Screen” and tap the result.
Adding the Action to Your Workflow
The Lock Screen action appears in your automation sequence. No additional configuration needed for this action.
What the Lock Screen Action Does
- Immediately locks your iPhone when the trigger fires
- Requires Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode to unlock
- Works with any app you selected in Step 3
This action became available in iOS 16.4. Earlier versions do not have it.
Step 5: How Do You Configure the Automation to Run Without Confirmation?
Select Run Immediately (iOS 17+) or toggle off Ask Before Running (iOS 16.4) to make the automation execute instantly without prompts when the protected app opens.
Disabling the Confirmation Prompt
By default, iOS asks before running automations. Turn this off for seamless app locking.
Notification Settings
Toggle off Notify When Run if you do not want a banner each time the automation triggers. Tap Done in the top right corner.
Final Configuration Options
- iOS 17+: Select “Run Immediately” from the dropdown
- iOS 16.4: Toggle off “Ask Before Running”
- Optional: Disable “Notify When Run” for stealth operation
Alternative Method: How Do You Create a Password-Protected Shortcut with Custom Passcode?
This method uses the Ask for Input action instead of Lock Screen, letting you set a custom numeric or alphanumeric password that only you know.
Better for situations where you want a secret code rather than biometric authentication.
How Do You Build a Shortcut That Asks for a Password?
Go to the Shortcuts tab, tap the plus (+) icon to create a new shortcut, add the Ask for Input action, set input type to Number or Text, and customize the prompt to “Enter Password”.
Ask for Input Settings
- Input type Number: Numeric passcode only
- Input type Text: Alphanumeric password with special characters
- Prompt text: What the user sees (e.g., “Enter Password”)
How Do You Add Conditional Logic for Password Verification?
Add an If action after Ask for Input, set the condition to check if input matches your chosen password, add Open App action in the “If true” path, and add Show Alert with “Incorrect Password” in the Otherwise path.
Conditional Logic Structure
- If: Input is [your password] → Open App → Select target app
- Otherwise: Show Alert → “Incorrect Password”
How Do You Replace the Original App Icon on Home Screen?
Tap the dropdown arrow next to your shortcut name, select Add to Home Screen, tap the icon to choose a custom photo (download the original app icon from the web), name it exactly as the app, and tap Add.
After adding the shortcut icon, you can find hidden apps on iPhone by searching in the App Library if you hide the original.
Want to customize further? Learn how to change app icons on iPhone for more personalization options.
Making the Shortcut Look Authentic
- Use the exact app icon image (search “[App name] icon PNG”)
- Match the app name precisely
- Hide the original app in App Library or a folder
Verification
Test your setup by opening any protected app from the Home Screen.
The Lock Screen should appear immediately. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to access the app.
If using the custom password method, the password prompt should appear instead.
Testing Checklist
- Open protected app from Home Screen (lock triggers)
- Open protected app from App Library (lock triggers)
- Open protected app from search (lock triggers)
- Authenticate successfully (app opens)
Troubleshooting
Automation Does Not Trigger When Opening the App
Go to Settings > Shortcuts > Advanced and toggle on Allow Running Scripts. Also verify the automation is enabled in the Shortcuts app.
Lock Screen Action Not Available in Shortcuts
Update your iPhone to iOS 16.4 or later via Settings > General > Software Update. This action does not exist in earlier iOS versions.
Automation Asks for Confirmation Before Running
Edit the automation in Shortcuts, change Run After Confirmation to Run Immediately, and save.
Protected App Briefly Visible Before Lock Activates
This is a known limitation. The one-second delay cannot be eliminated with current iOS functionality.
If the Shortcuts app itself causes issues, you may want to clear app cache on iPhone to resolve glitches.
Shortcut Icon Disappeared from Home Screen
Re-add it through the Shortcuts app. If apps keep vanishing, check how to stop iPhone from deleting apps automatically.
Limitations of the Shortcuts Method
This app lock method has several constraints you should know about.
- Not a native security feature: Works as a workaround, not built-in protection
- Automation can be disabled: Anyone who knows Shortcuts can turn it off
- Brief app visibility: Protected app shows for roughly one second before lock
- Shortcuts app unprotected: Cannot password-protect the Shortcuts app itself using this method
- No protection from App Switcher: Recently opened apps visible when double-clicking Home or swiping up
For stronger protection, consider using how to block apps on iPhone through Screen Time instead.
If you want to monitor which apps are accessed most, learn how to see app usage on iPhone through Screen Time settings.
Related Processes
After setting up app passwords, you might want to explore these related guides:
- How to organize apps on iPhone for better Home Screen management
- How to find hidden stuff on iPhone if you misplace protected apps
- How to check screen time on iPhone for usage monitoring
- How to close apps on iPhone to clear them from the App Switcher
- How to delete apps on iPhone you no longer need
If you are sharing your device with children, turning off parental controls on iPhone or adjusting them may also be relevant.
FAQ on How To Put A Password On Apps On iPhone Using Shortcuts
Can I password-protect any app on iPhone using Shortcuts?
Yes, the Shortcuts app can create automations for most apps. However, some system apps like Settings, Camera, and Shortcuts itself cannot be protected using this method. Third-party apps and most Apple apps work fine.
What iOS version do I need for the Lock Screen action?
You need iOS 16.4 or later to access the Lock Screen action in Shortcuts. Earlier versions do not include this feature. Check your version in Settings > General > About and update if necessary.
Will the app lock work if someone knows my passcode?
No. If someone knows your device passcode, they can bypass the lock and also disable the automation in Shortcuts. This method protects against casual access, not someone with your credentials.
Can I use a custom password instead of Face ID or Touch ID?
Yes. Use the Ask for Input action to create a shortcut with a custom numeric or alphanumeric password. This method requires building a separate shortcut rather than using the Lock Screen automation.
Why does the protected app show briefly before locking?
The automation triggers after the app opens, causing a one-second delay. This is a limitation of how iOS processes Shortcuts automations. There is no way to eliminate this brief visibility with current functionality.
Can I protect multiple apps with one automation?
Yes. When selecting the App trigger, tap Choose and select multiple apps. All selected apps will trigger the same Lock Screen action when opened. No need to create separate automations for each app.
How do I disable the app lock temporarily?
Open the Shortcuts app, go to the Automation tab, tap your automation, and toggle off Enable This Automation. You can also disable apps on iPhone entirely if you want them inaccessible.
Does this method work on iPad?
Yes. iPadOS includes the same Shortcuts app with identical functionality. The Lock Screen action works on iPad running iPadOS 16.4 or later. Steps are the same as iPhone.
Can someone turn off my automation without my knowledge?
Yes. Anyone who can unlock your iPhone can open Shortcuts and disable the automation. Consider setting a password on apps in iPhone using Screen Time restrictions on the Shortcuts app itself for extra protection.
What happens if I delete the Shortcuts app?
All your automations stop working immediately. The app lock will no longer function. You can redownload Shortcuts from the App Store, but you will need to recreate your automations from scratch.
Conclusion
You now know how to put a password on apps on iPhone using Shortcuts with two different methods.
The Lock Screen automation provides quick biometric authentication. The custom passcode approach offers a secret code only you know.
Neither method is perfect. The brief app visibility and the ability for others to disable automations remain limitations.
Still, this iOS automation adds a useful layer of app security without installing third-party software.
For stronger protection, combine this technique with Screen Time restrictions or check what apps are running in the background on iPhone regularly.
Your Home Screen now has an extra barrier. Not bulletproof, but enough to stop casual snooping.
Five minutes of setup. Worth the privacy.
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