- You can lock the Messages app using Screen Time and Face ID.
- You can hide the notification previews for the Messages app.
- You can also use the Shortcuts app to set up an automation for the Messages app.
Method 1: Lock Messages App Using Screen Time
Screen Time on your iPhone measures how much time you spend on your iPhone. You can use its App Limit feature to lock the Messages app. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and select Screen Time.
Step 2: Tap on App Limits and select Add Limit .
Step 3: Choose the Messages app and tap on Next at the top-right corner.
Step 4: Use the time sliders to set the usage limit, after which the Messages app will get locked. Then, tap on Add at the top-right corner to confirm.
Once the Messages app gets locked after being used for the specified time, you must enter the Screen Time passcode to unlock it.
Method 2: Lock Messages App Using Face ID and Passcode
You can use Face ID and Passcode to password-protect your text messages on your iPhone and iPad. You can implement this for nearly every app, but depending on your iPhone/iPad model, some might not support it.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and tap on Face ID & Passcode .
Step 3: Tap on Set Up Face ID . Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the setup process.
You can refer to our post if Face ID is not working on your iPhone or iPad .
Method 3: Hide Message Previews
You can hide the Notification Previews for the Messages app. This will also let you hide messages on the lock screen of your iPhone and iPad. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap on Messages .
Step 2: Tap on Notifications . Then, scroll down and tap on Show Previews .
Step 3: Tap on Never .
Step 4: Return to the previous screen to choose to hide notifications from the Lock Screen, Notification Center, or Banners.
Method 4: Use Shortcuts to Lock the Messages App
You can use the Shortcuts app on your iPhone to set up an automation to lock the Messages app on your iPhone. These steps are also applicable to iPad users.
Step 1: Open the Clock app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on Timer at the bottom-right corner.
Step 2: Tap on When Timer Ends . Scroll down and select Stop Playing . Then, tap on Done at the top-right corner.
Step 3: Scroll down and select Stop Playing . Then, tap on Done at the top-right corner.
Step 4: Close the Clock app and open Shortcuts . Tap on Automation at the bottom.
Step 5: Select the Plus icon at the top-right corner and select Create Personal Automation .
Step 6: Scroll down and select App .
Step 7: Tap on Choose and select Messages .
Step 8: Tap on Next and select Add Action . Select Start Timer from the list of actions. Set the Timer for 1 second and select Next .
Step 9: Tap the toggle to disable Ask Before Running . Then, select Don’t Ask from the prompt.
Step 10: Tap on Done at the top-right corner to confirm.
Now, when someone tries to open the Messages app, your iPhone will lock automatically and only unlock using your Face ID or passcode.
Method 5: Restrict Messages Using Two-Factor Authentication
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication on your Apple ID prevents anyone from accessing your Messages on the web. Here’s how to enable it using your iPhone or iPad.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Tap on your profile name . Then, select Password and Security.
Step 3: Enable Two-Factor Authentication .
When you set up two-factor authentication, you’ll need your device’s password and a 6-digit code sent to your phone number or other Apple devices using the same Apple ID. Alternatively, you can use the security key that you can generate after enabling two-factor authentication.
You can also read our post if you see incorrect badge notifications in the Messages app on your iPhone .
