Protecting your private conversation is one’s right and it is important to get your privacy when it comes to messages on your iPhone device. Our iPhones hold sensitive information, including personal texts and messages. But what if someone gets access to your device?
Locking text messages on your iPhone is a simple yet effective way to safeguard your privacy. Whether you are hiding messages from prying eyes or securing sensitive information, this guide will show you how to lock text messages on your iPhone with ease.
In this article, we will explore how to lock text messages on iPhone in terms of using built-in features.
What To Know
- You can either do it from the settings or use Face ID.
- For the Face ID option, you have to have an iPhone with a working Face ID and the new IOS.
How to lock text messages on iPhone From Settings
iPhone provides a security guard that can be used to lock your text message without anyone getting access.
This method works only when the iPhone screen is still locked. The person’s name will appear but the message details won’t be shown unless the phone has been unlocked.
To lock your text message on your iPhone using the settings, follow these steps;
1. Open Settings on iPhone
2. Scroll down and click on Notification
3. Click on the Messages app under the Notification style
4. Under Lock Screen appearance, Click on Show previews
5. Choose Never.
The show previews give you three options, which are Always, When Unlocked(Default), or Never. These 3 options allow you to choose what you want your previews to look like.
How to lock text messages on iPhone Using Face ID
This method works for iPhones with Face ID and the latest IOS 18 or later.
Follow these steps to Lock your message with Face ID.
- Press and Hold the Message app
- Choose Require Face ID
- Look on your phone screen for the Face ID to scan your face before it can be enabled
Make sure you have enabled your Face ID as a lock screen option before you can enable the locking of the App.
Remember that your messages’ preview will still be hidden unless you open your messages app.
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Why Do You Need to Lock Messages on iPhone?
Locking or securing messages on an iPhone can be useful for several reasons, depending on your needs. Here are the main reasons people lock their messages:
1. Privacy Protection
You may want to keep sensitive conversations (like financial or personal discussions) private from others who might access your phone. Messages can contain personal data, such as passwords, OTPs, and financial or medical information.
2. Prevent Unauthorized Access
If someone borrows your phone, locking messages ensures they can’t accidentally (or intentionally) read your private chats. It also helps protect from prying eyes at work, school, or public spaces.
3. Parental Control
Parents might lock messaging apps to control who their children can interact with or to limit usage during specific times. This mostly helps when parents share their phones with their children.
4. Security Against Data Leaks
If your phone is lost or stolen, locked messages can prevent sensitive information from being accessed and misused.
5. Work-Related Confidentiality
For professionals, keeping messages locked can help protect confidential business information shared via texts.