Locking apps on iPad

I got an email notification about an app named Lockdown Pro but the post seems to have gone away. The app does look promising though, but from what I read in user reviews becareful of what version iOS you use it on, it seems not all are compaitble.

Lockdown Pro requires jailbreaking. The app in the app store with the same name does not deliver as promised (based on reveiws and in my case one person I know who has tried it) and it doesn't appear to have been updated in quite some time.

I see. I was just going by the name given and didn't realize they were different. Thanks for clearing that up.

I was surprised to hear of an app that could do this without jailbreak in a too good to be true kinda way.

Back to the Apple Drawing board I guess.

Hey Another way it can be done: Settings > General > Accessibility > Guided Access. You won't be able to exit the app until the correct passcode is entered.

You may find this helpful. Beginning in ios 6, you are able to block all apps except the one that you want your child to use. It is called guided access and it is super easy to use. Here is a link with more infohttp://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57605575-285/lock-the-ipad-to-just-one-app/

You can use parental guidance to lock kids into apps and they cannot get out unless you let them. They also cannot make in app purchases... check out this video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6HcFWGQn48

It helped me with my 2 year old messing with my ipad.

Reading a sampling of responses, I am amazed by how many people turned this into a discussion on parenting. Let's look at the real issue. There SHOULD be a way to lock/protect individual apps on these devices. I have an app on my android phone that does it. When an app that I have protected is tapped, a numeric pad appears and asks for a pass code. I find this quite valuable for when ANYONE else is using my device. There are certain apps such as texting or email access that I would prefer secure, yet still be able to let my child OR my adult friends explore games, internet, etc. on my phone. I have had this on my android for quite a while. I just purchased my iPad, which I imagine will be "passed around" more than my phone, and I am very surprised that there aren't multiple iOS apps already out there to provide this security.

iOS apps cannot offer that functionality as they do not have system-level access to the OS. Apple would have to include the feature.

You can leave feedback for that here.

~Lyssa

I fell upon this thread, which was already previously necrod, and am just appauled by responses.

Talk about fanboys defending apple.

While I am not a die hard "fanboy", I do enjoy Apple products. I have 2x iPhones and an iPad2. However, I also have a Dell desktop, MS Surface RT as well.

I do not pick products based on loyalty or fandom. I pick them based on performance, reviews, AND RESPONSIVNESS AND ADAPTATION to customer needs if those needs are obviously easy to inact or the capability is dispalyed by other hardware/software competitors.

There are two simple things that customers have wanted for well over 3 years now with little to no response from Apple.

1. Make it possible to make apps and folders "not moveable". There is already the option to disable deleting capability why can they not add another toggle to disable moving? What is so bad about the option to let customers choose?

2. Make it possible to make apps and folders require password in order to access and utilize. 3rd Party software and hardware competitors have shown this can be done. It currently requires Jailbreaking which most customers do not want to do. The only reason there is not an app via the store already is Apple's closed approach in allowing software developers control to their OS. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT THIS. What I do not understand is why, in over 3 years, has Apple not built there own options or expanded functionality within their own OS. Currently, your only option is to lock a user into one app utilizing the guidance option.

Comparing software/hardware capability to parenting is a cop-out and are not related. It is a logical fallacy at its finest. Lots of politicians use such fallacies to attack the oppositions POV without setting up premesis to back their own POV.

Oh and how does adding these options affect those who want to "play" the ipad with their kids. They are options. You choose to use them or not. And these options extend beyond parenting but to ones own personal security in general. Again they are options that you do not have to utilize if you do not want to.

Thank you so much Hawaiihouse for your intelligent response. I left this discussion months ago after the idiotic comments about how I should raise my kids etc...

Locking individual Apps and folders is very, very useful for many families owning an Ipad but also for tradeshows etc where the Ipad is used by visitors that you want to restrict access to certain areas of your device.

It is sad to see that this subject is still buzzing on this forum and not yet tackled by Apple and attracts so many nonsence replies about parenting and people mentioning guided access again without reading earlier replies.

Your input thankfully shows there are still people with brains on this forum. Thanks Hawaii...

hawaiihouse wrote:

1. Make it possible to make apps and folders "not moveable". There is already the option to disable deleting capability why can they not add another toggle to disable moving? What is so bad about the option to let customers choose?

2. Make it possible to make apps and folders require password in order to access and utilize. 3rd Party software and hardware competitors have shown this can be done. It currently requires Jailbreaking which most customers do not want to do. The only reason there is not an app via the store already is Apple's closed approach in allowing software developers control to their OS. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT THIS. What I do not understand is why, in over 3 years, has Apple not built there own options or expanded functionality within their own OS. Currently, your only option is to lock a user into one app utilizing the guidance option.

Suggestions here -> http://www.apple.com/feedback/

I am going to try this to hide some apps from my 3yo it might be the best option I have found if it works. There are not a ton of apps I don't want her to have access to just you tube, amazon video and such.

How to completely hide any app or folder on your iPhone or iPad

http://www.tuaw.com/2014/03/26/how-to-completely-hide-any-app-or-folder-on-your- iphone-or-ipad/

There doesn't seem to be an app for this available to do that for an ipad. However I've just got a Samsung Galaxy tablet, and that has one called Hexmark which enables you to lock any app look like so that a four letter code needs to be c,icked in to open it. So it can't be difficult - perhaps it's a policy decision made by Apple to stop this facility being available for ipad users.

No, it is a major difference between the two operating systems and their approach to security. The Apple file management system is not user accessible and all applications are sandboxed. Neither is true in Android which makes it far less secure.