Guided Access is probably turned off in your settings, or your device needs a restart
Guided Access is a feature that locks your device to a single app and disables certain buttons and gestures. If it is not working, the most common reason is that you have not turned it on yet in Settings, or your device needs a restart to apply the change. On iPhone and iPad, Guided Access lives in the Accessibility settings under a name that does not always make it obvious what it does.
The second most common reason is that you are trying to activate Guided Access the wrong way. The feature does not turn on automatically — you have to start it manually each time you want to use it, by triple-clicking the side button (on newer iPhones) or the home button (on older models). If you are not doing that step, Guided Access will never activate, even if it is turned on in settings.
Key Takeaways
- Guided Access must be turned on in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access before you can use it on your device.
- You activate Guided Access each time by triple-clicking the side button or home button, not by opening an app or tapping a menu.
- If triple-clicking does nothing, your device may need a restart or the feature may be disabled by Screen Time restrictions.
- On shared devices, Screen Time parental controls can block Guided Access even if it is turned on in Accessibility settings.
Turn on Guided Access in Settings
Guided Access is off by default. You must turn it on before it will work. On iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and tap Accessibility. Scroll down and look for Guided Access — it is usually near the bottom of the Accessibility menu, sometimes grouped under a section called "Physical and Motor" or just listed alphabetically.
Tap Guided Access. You will see a toggle switch at the top. Make sure it is switched to the right (green). If it is already green, Guided Access is on in your settings. If it is gray, tap it to turn it on. You will be asked to set a passcode — this is a four-digit code that prevents someone from exiting Guided Access without permission. Write this down or remember it, because you will need it to stop using Guided Access later.
After you set the passcode, go back to the home screen. Guided Access is now ready to use, but it is not active yet. You have to start it manually each time.
Activate Guided Access by triple-clicking the button
Guided Access does not turn on by itself. Every time you want to use it, you must triple-click a physical button on your device. On iPhone 11 and newer, and on iPad Pro models with Face ID, triple-click the side button (the power button on the right edge). On iPhone 8 through iPhone X, or on older iPad models with a home button, triple-click the home button instead.
When you triple-click correctly, the screen will dim slightly and a menu will appear. You will see options to adjust what is locked and what is allowed. By default, Guided Access locks the entire screen to the app that is currently open. If you want to disable certain buttons or gestures — for example, to prevent someone from swiping out of the app — you can tap the area of the screen you want to disable, and it will turn red.
After you have set up what you want to lock, tap the Start button in the top right corner. Guided Access is now active. The app will stay open and locked until you triple-click the button again, enter your passcode, and tap End.
Restart your device if triple-clicking does nothing
If you have turned on Guided Access in settings but triple-clicking the button does nothing, your device may need a restart. Settings changes sometimes do not take effect until you restart. Turn off your device completely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Then try triple-clicking again.
If restarting does not work, check that you are triple-clicking the correct button. On newer iPhones, the side button is on the right edge. On older iPhones with a home button, the home button is at the bottom center of the screen. Press it three times quickly — not slowly, and not so fast that it feels like one long press. You should hear a click sound each time.
Check Screen Time restrictions if you share your device
If your device is set up with Screen Time parental controls, those controls can block Guided Access even if it is turned on in Accessibility. This happens most often on shared devices or devices managed by a parent or organization. To check, open Settings and tap Screen Time. If you see a menu asking for a Screen Time passcode, someone has set up restrictions on this device.
If you are the device owner, you can turn off Screen Time by tapping Screen Time > turn off Screen Time. If you are not the owner, you will need to ask the person who set it up to disable Guided Access restrictions. They can do this by opening Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps, and making sure Guided Access is switched on.
If you do not know the Screen Time passcode and cannot reach the device owner, you may need to erase the device and set it up again. This is a last resort and will delete all data on the device.
Make sure you are using the right activation method for your device
The button you triple-click depends on which iPhone or iPad model you have. If you are using the wrong button, Guided Access will never activate. Check your device model in Settings > General > About, then look up which button to use.
| Device Model | Button to Triple-Click |
|---|---|
| iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or newer | Side button (power button on right edge) |
| iPhone X, XS, XR | Side button (power button on right edge) |
| iPhone 8 and earlier | Home button (at bottom center) |
| iPad Pro with Face ID | Top or side button (depends on model) |
| iPad with home button | Home button (at bottom center) |
If you have an older device and are not sure which button is which, look at the physical buttons on your device and compare them to your model. The side button is usually smaller and on the edge of the device. The home button is usually larger and at the bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Guided Access on Android?
Guided Access is an Apple feature and only works on iPhone and iPad. Android devices have a similar feature called Screen Pinning, which you can turn on in Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Default apps, then look for Screen Pinning. The activation method is different — you usually hold the back button and recent apps button at the same time.
What if I forgot my Guided Access passcode?
If you forget the passcode, you cannot exit Guided Access without erasing your device. You will need to connect to a computer with Finder or iTunes, erase the device, and set it up again. This will delete all data, so make sure you have a backup first. To avoid this, write down your passcode or store it somewhere safe.
Can I use Guided Access on multiple apps at once?
No. Guided Access locks your device to one app at a time. When Guided Access is active, you cannot switch to another app or access the home screen. If you need to lock multiple apps, you will have to end Guided Access, switch to the other app, and start Guided Access again.
Why does Guided Access keep turning off by itself?
Guided Access should stay on until you triple-click the button and enter your passcode to end it. If it is turning off on its own, your device may be restarting, or Screen Time restrictions may be interfering. Try restarting your device and checking Screen Time settings. If the problem continues, try turning Guided Access off and back on in Settings.