Submitted by Fred Straker on
The most secure way to protect personal information on an iPhone is with a strong passcode. While Face ID and Touch ID make it convenient to access devices on a daily basis, in some situations forcing a passcode requirement improves security. Forcing passcode entry is more difficult than invoking Face ID or Touch ID against the device owner's will.
Holding an iPhone up in front of someone's face can easily unlock the device. In similar fashion, all it takes is one fingerprint to render everything accessible from the iPhone home screen.
Depending on where your iPhone is being used, locations such as an airport, border crossing, or elsewhere while traveling may put your data at risk. To quickly force iOS to require a passcode only takes a simple button press. Locking the iPhone in this manner is also known as a "hard-lock".
Follow these steps to immediately require passcode entry on your iPhone:Passcode lock with Face ID
- Press and hold the side button and a volume button
- Optional: Tap Cancel to dismiss the power off slider, or power off
- iPhone now requires your passcode to unlock
Passcode lock with Touch ID
- Press and hold the power button
- Optional: Tap Cancel to dismiss the power off slider, or power off
- iPhone now requires your passcode to unlock