iOS 18 Will Let You Lock Apps Behind Face ID, Sources Say

Several existing Apple features already utilize Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode for security, providing users with a high level of protection for their personal data. Some of these features include:

1. Unlocking the device: Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode can be used to unlock an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, ensuring that the device's contents remain secure and accessible only to the authorized user13.

2. Apple Pay: When making purchases using Apple Pay, users are required to authenticate their identity using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, ensuring that only the device owner can authorize transactions3.

3. iTunes and App Store purchases: Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode can also be used to approve purchases from the iTunes Store, the App Store, Apple Books, and more, allowing users to make secure transactions without having to enter their Apple ID password3.

4. Protecting sensitive data in apps: App developers can utilize Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to protect sensitive data within their apps, such as banking information, health records, or personal identification numbers3.

5. Safari Autofill: Apple users can use Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to authenticate the automatic filling of login credentials and credit card information in Safari, making the browsing experience more convenient and secure.

6. Locking notes in the Notes app: Users can secure particularly sensitive notes in the Notes app by locking them with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, ensuring that the contents remain private and inaccessible without proper authentication.

7. Hidden and Recently Deleted albums in Photos: Apple's Photos app allows users to hide certain photos and videos, as well as recover recently deleted images. These features can be secured with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive or private images.

These existing features demonstrate Apple's commitment to user security and privacy, providing multiple layers of protection across various applications and services. By utilizing Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, users can feel confident that their personal information remains secure and accessible only to them.

iOS 18 is set to introduce a new security feature that will allow users to lock individual apps on their iPhones3. This feature will provide an extra layer of privacy and security by enabling users to lock built-in iPhone apps such as Mail, Messages, Notes, Phone, Photos, Safari, Settings, and more. To unlock a locked app, users will need to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or their iPhone's passcode. It is not yet confirmed whether this feature will also work with third-party apps from the App Store. This new addition will build upon Apple's existing content locking features, such as securing notes in the Notes app and photos in the "Recently Deleted" and "Hidden" albums in the Photos app.