The best method of how to lock your iPhone is to use any one of the iOS security features, i.e. a passcode, your fingerprint, or Face ID. When you lock your iPhone, it turns off the display. You can only turn it on again using the passcode/fingerprint scanner/Face ID as set by you.
An iPhone cannot be used in any way unless it is unlocked. This makes your iPhone secure and keeps all your data safe. It prevents all kinds of unauthorized uses. In unfortunate cases of loss or theft, even if you cannot get your device back, your data is still safe and cannot be accessed by anyone else.
To keep your personal data safe and to prevent your iPhone from being misused, you should know how to lock your iPhone. The simplest way is to activate one of the iOS security features. Your iPhone can be set to automatically lock after a set duration of inactivity.
Let us look at the various methods of how to lock your iPhone in detail:
Passcode
For older iPhone models (iPhone 5 and older), the Passcode is the best way to safeguard your device.
Here are the steps to follow:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Passcode/Touch ID & Passcode/Face ID & Passcode, depending on the model.
- Tap on “Turn Passcode On.”
- Enter a six-digit passcode of your choice. Ensure that you remember it. This is the code you have to enter every time to unlock your iPhone.
- You can also tap “Passcode Options” and choose to set a four-digit passcode instead of a six-digit one. You can also opt to have a custom number or an alphanumeric code.
- Enter the passcode a second time to confirm it.
- Enter your Apple ID and password. Apple may ask for your passcode for certain Apple services.
Once you set the passcode, you will need to enter it every time you have to unlock your iPhone. You can set your device to auto-lock after a specified duration of inactivity. This can be anywhere between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Every time your iPhone gets locked, you have to enter the passcode to unlock it.
Touch ID/Face ID
On the newer iPhone models, i.e. iPhone 5s and later, you will get the option of using your fingerprint or Face ID for unlocking. Simply select the relevant option under the Settings menu, and set up your fingerprint or your Face ID by looking into the front camera as directed.
Touch ID and Face ID are more efficient ways of ensuring the safety of your iPhone as you do not need to remember any passcode to unlock it anymore. Your fingerprint or Face ID can also be used to authorize other Apple services.
Lost Mode
In the unfortunate situation where you lose your iPhone or it is stolen, you can use the “Lost Mode” to lock it and keep your data safe. You can remotely activate the Lost Mode on your iPhone and lock it. This will prevent any kind of unauthorized use. You can also make a message appear on the screen, usually, a number to call in case the iPhone is lost.
Your iPhone must have battery life and must also be connected to a network for this method to work. You should also be signed up for the iCloud service by Apple as the Lost Mode is found within iCloud.
If your iPhone is lost or stolen, follow these steps to activate Lost Mode:
- Open iCloud.com on any computer. Log in with your Apple ID and password.
- Select the “Find My iPhone” option.
- A map will open up and from the list of devices, select your iPhone.
- From the popup window, click on “Lost Mode.”
- Enter an alternative phone number where you can be contacted if your iPhone is recovered.
- Enter a message that you want to appear on the screen of your lost iPhone. Click on “Done.”
Your iPhone will be locked at this stage as long as it has battery life and a working network connection. When you find or recover your iPhone, you can follow the same steps as above and deactivate the Lost Mode.
These are the ways of how to lock your iPhone. The inbuilt security systems are best to use. Either use a passcode or simply use your fingerprint or Face ID for better and more foolproof security. You can also secure your data by using Lost Mode if you happen to misplace your iPhone.
