Guided Access locks your iPhone to a single app and blocks everything else

Guided Access is an iPhone feature that restricts the device to one app at a time. When you turn it on, the home button, app switcher, and notifications all stop working. The person using the phone cannot leave the app, access settings, or open anything else — they can only interact with what's on that screen.

It's designed for situations where you want someone to focus on one task without distraction or accidentally triggering something else. Parents use it to let children play a single game. Teachers use it during tests. Healthcare providers use it for patient check-in kiosks. The phone stays in that app until someone with the passcode exits Guided Access.

Key Takeaways

  • Guided Access confines the iPhone to a single app and disables the home button, app switcher, and notifications until you exit with a passcode.
  • You can disable specific parts of the screen so taps in those areas do nothing, useful for blocking buttons you don't want someone to use.
  • You set a separate passcode for Guided Access, different from your iPhone unlock code, so you control who can exit the mode.
  • Guided Access works on any app and requires only a few taps to start and stop.

How to turn Guided Access on

Open the app you want to lock into. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Guided Access, and turn on the toggle. You'll be asked to create a passcode — this is separate from your regular iPhone passcode and is what you'll need to exit Guided Access later.

Once that's set up, go back to the app. Triple-click the side button (on newer iPhones) or the home button (on older models). The screen will dim slightly and show options. Tap Start in the top right corner. The iPhone is now in Guided Access and locked to that app.

Blocking parts of the screen

Before you start Guided Access, you can disable specific areas of the screen. After triple-clicking the button but before tapping Start, you'll see a circle icon. Tap it, then draw a box around any button or area you want to block. Taps in that zone won't do anything.

This is useful if an app has a settings button you don't want someone to tap, or a link that leads somewhere else. You can block multiple areas. The blocked zones stay in place each time you use Guided Access with that app, so you only have to set them up once.

Setting time limits in Guided Access

You can set a timer so the app automatically exits Guided Access after a set amount of time. Before tapping Start, look for the timer icon in the options menu. Set the duration you want — anywhere from one minute to several hours.

When the time runs out, Guided Access ends and the home screen appears. This is helpful if you're letting a child use the phone for a specific period and want it to stop automatically rather than relying on you to exit manually.

Exiting Guided Access

To leave Guided Access, triple-click the side button or home button again. The screen will show an End Session button in the top right. Tap it, then enter your Guided Access passcode. The phone returns to normal and all features work again.

If you forget the passcode, you'll need to go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and reset it using your Apple ID or device passcode. This is why setting a separate Guided Access code is important — it prevents someone from exiting the mode without permission.

What Guided Access does and doesn't block

Guided Access disables the home button, app switcher, and the ability to swipe between apps. Notifications won't appear. Control Center and Siri won't respond. The volume buttons and power button still work, so someone can adjust sound or take a screenshot, but they cannot leave the app or change settings.

It does not prevent the phone from receiving calls or messages — those will still come through. If you need complete silence, turn on Do Not Disturb before starting Guided Access. Guided Access also doesn't prevent someone from force-restarting the phone by holding the power and volume buttons, though this is rare in typical use.

Common uses for Guided Access

Parents often use Guided Access to let children play educational apps or games without accidentally closing the app or opening the browser. Teachers use it during standardized tests to prevent students from accessing other apps or the internet. Retail stores use it on demo phones to show a single app without risk of someone navigating away.

Therapists and healthcare offices use it for patient intake forms or check-in apps. Anyone lending their phone for a specific purpose — a presentation, a video call, a single task — can use Guided Access to ensure the phone stays on that task and nothing else gets accessed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone exit Guided Access without the passcode?

No. Triple-clicking the button will show the End Session option, but it requires the Guided Access passcode to actually exit. Without the code, the phone stays locked to that app. This is why you should use a passcode you remember but others don't know.

Does Guided Access work on all iPhone models?

Yes. Guided Access is built into iOS and works on all iPhones. On newer models with Face ID, you triple-click the side button. On older iPhones with a home button, you triple-click the home button. The feature and steps are the same across all models.

Can I use Guided Access on multiple apps?

You can only lock into one app at a time. If you want to switch to a different app, you have to exit Guided Access first by entering the passcode, then start it again on the new app. You can set up different blocked zones for different apps, but only one can be active at once.

What happens if the battery dies while Guided Access is on?

When the phone powers back on, Guided Access is still active and locked to that app. You'll need to enter the passcode to exit. This is another reason to remember your Guided Access code — you may need it unexpectedly if the phone shuts down.

Can I block the volume buttons or power button?

No. Guided Access only lets you block specific screen areas. The physical buttons always work. Someone can adjust volume or take a screenshot, but they cannot turn off the phone or force-close the app through normal means.