What Guided Access Does
Guided Access locks your iPhone or iPad to a single app and lets you disable parts of the screen or specific features. Once it is on, the person using the device cannot leave that app, take screenshots, use certain buttons, or access settings — unless they know the passcode to turn it off. It is useful when you want to let someone else use your phone for one specific task without them accidentally opening other apps, deleting things, or changing your settings.
Guided Access is built into every iPhone and iPad. You turn it on before handing the device to someone, and it stays active until you enter a passcode to disable it. The person using the device will see a message at the bottom of the screen saying they are in Guided Access mode.
Key Takeaways
- Guided Access is found in Settings under Accessibility, and you must turn it on before you hand the device to someone else.
- You set a passcode (separate from your device passcode) that only you know, so only you can turn Guided Access off.
- Once Guided Access is active, you can draw circles on the screen to disable specific buttons or areas, and you can turn off features like the home button or volume controls.
- To start a Guided Access session, triple-click the side button (iPhone X and later) or the home button (older models) after you have turned the feature on in Settings.
Turn On Guided Access in Settings
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and tap Accessibility. Scroll down again until you see Guided Access and tap it. Toggle the switch next to Guided Access to the on position — it will turn green.
Once you toggle it on, you will see a new option called Passcode Settings. Tap that. You will be asked to create a passcode that is different from your device lock code. This passcode is what you will need to turn Guided Access off later. Enter a four-digit code, then enter it again to confirm. You can also choose to use Face ID or Touch ID instead of typing a code each time — tap Use Face ID or Use Touch ID if you want that option.
Start a Guided Access Session
Open the app you want to lock the device to. For example, if you want someone to use only the Photos app, open Photos first. Then triple-click the side button (on iPhone X and later) or the home button (on iPhone 8 and earlier, or iPad). The screen will dim slightly and you will see the Guided Access menu appear at the bottom.
You will see options to customize what is disabled during this session. By default, the home button and gestures are already locked. If you want to disable other features — like the volume buttons, the ability to take screenshots, or access to Siri — you can toggle those off in this menu. You can also draw circles on the screen to disable specific buttons or areas that you do not want the other person to touch.
When you are done customizing, tap Start in the top right corner. Guided Access is now active. The person using the device will see a message at the bottom saying "Guided Access is On" and will not be able to leave the app or use the features you disabled.
Disable Specific Buttons or Screen Areas
Before you tap Start, you can circle any button or area of the screen that you want to disable. Use your finger to draw a circle around the button. When you lift your finger, that area will be marked as disabled — it will appear grayed out or with a circle around it. The person using the device will not be able to tap that button.
This is useful if you want someone to use most of an app but not certain features. For example, you could disable the delete button in Photos, or disable the settings icon in a game. You can circle as many areas as you need. If you make a mistake, tap the circle again to remove it.
Turn Off Guided Access
To end a Guided Access session, triple-click the side button (or home button) again. You will be asked to enter the passcode you created in Settings. Type it in, and Guided Access will turn off. The device will return to normal, and the person will be able to use all apps and features again.
If you set up Face ID or Touch ID for your Guided Access passcode, you can use your face or fingerprint instead of typing the code. This is faster if you need to turn it off quickly.
Change or Reset Your Guided Access Passcode
If you forget your Guided Access passcode, you will not be able to turn off Guided Access without it. To change your passcode or reset it, go back to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access > Passcode Settings. You will be asked to enter your current passcode first. If you cannot remember it, you will need to reset your device to factory settings, which erases everything on it.
To avoid this, write down your passcode somewhere safe, or use Face ID or Touch ID so you do not have to remember a code. You can change your passcode at any time by going back to Passcode Settings and entering a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone in Guided Access mode turn it off without the passcode?
No. They would need to triple-click the side button or home button and enter your passcode. Without it, they cannot exit Guided Access or access any disabled features. This is why you should never share your Guided Access passcode with someone you do not trust.
What happens if I circle the wrong area on the screen?
Tap the circle again to remove it. You can draw as many circles as you need before you tap Start, and you can undo each one individually. Once you tap Start, the session begins and you cannot add or remove circles until the next session.
Can I use Guided Access on an iPad the same way as an iPhone?
Yes. The steps are identical on iPad. You turn it on in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access, set a passcode, and then triple-click the home button or side button to start a session. The customization options are the same.
Does Guided Access prevent someone from restarting the device?
No. If someone holds down the power button and volume button together, they can force restart the device, which will exit Guided Access. However, they would lose any unsaved work in the app. For most situations, Guided Access is find enough.
Can I set different passcodes for different Guided Access sessions?
No. You set one passcode in Settings, and that same code is used to turn off all Guided Access sessions. If you want to change it, you do so in Passcode Settings, and the new code applies to all future sessions.