What Guided Access does and when to use it

Guided Access locks your iPad to a single app and disables the home button, gestures, and hardware buttons until you exit. It is built into every iPad and requires a passcode to turn on or off. You use it when you want to prevent accidental exits from an app — either because you are handing the device to someone else, or because you need to stay focused on one task without interruption.

Guided Access is not the same as parental controls. It does not restrict what apps exist on the device or what content they show. It straightforward prevents leaving the current app by accident or intention. Once you enable it, the only way out is to swipe up from the bottom with four fingers and enter your Guided Access passcode.

Common reasons to use it: letting a child use a single educational app without them closing it, keeping a presentation running without accidental home button presses, or locking yourself into a focus app during work time.

Key Takeaways

  • Guided Access is turned on in Settings under Accessibility, then Display and Text Size, then Guided Access — you must enable it once before you can use it.
  • Once enabled, you start a Guided Access session by triple-clicking the top button (or home button on older iPads) while the app you want to lock is open.
  • You can draw circles on the screen to disable touch in specific areas, and you can turn off the volume buttons, motion, and keyboard if you want.
  • To exit Guided Access, swipe up from the bottom with four fingers, enter your passcode, and tap End.
  • Your Guided Access passcode is separate from your iPad passcode and can be different.

Turn on Guided Access in Settings

Guided Access must be enabled once in Settings before you can use it. Open Settings and tap Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Display and Text Size. Scroll down again and tap Guided Access. Toggle the switch to on (it will turn green).

You will see options to set a passcode. Tap Set Guided Access Passcode. You can use a four-digit code, a six-digit code, or Face ID. If you choose a numeric code, enter it twice to confirm. If you choose Face ID, your face becomes the way you exit Guided Access sessions. Most people use a numeric code separate from their main iPad passcode so they can hand the device to someone without giving them full access.

Once the passcode is set, Guided Access is ready to use. You do not need to return to Settings each time — you will start sessions directly from the app you want to lock.

Start a Guided Access session

Open the app you want to lock into. Triple-click the top button (iPad Pro and newer) or the home button (older iPad models). A menu will appear. Tap Guided Access. The screen will show a preview of what will be locked.

Before you confirm, you can draw circles on the screen to disable touch in certain areas. For example, if you are locking into a drawing app, you might circle the delete button so it cannot be tapped by accident. Tap the circle tool at the bottom left, then draw a circle around any area you want to disable. You can draw multiple circles. If you make a mistake, tap the circle again to erase it.

You can also tap Options at the bottom to turn off the volume buttons, motion controls, or keyboard. This is useful if you want to prevent someone from changing volume or using keyboard shortcuts to exit the app. When you are ready, tap Start in the top right corner.

What happens during a Guided Access session

Once Guided Access starts, the app fills the entire screen. The home button and gestures that normally exit the app are disabled. If you drew circles, those areas of the screen will not respond to touch. The volume buttons and any other controls you disabled in Options will not work.

The person using the iPad can still use the app normally — they can tap buttons, scroll, type, and navigate within that single app. They straightforward cannot leave it. If they try to swipe up from the bottom or press the home button, nothing happens.

You can see how much time has passed in the session by looking at the status bar at the top. There is no time limit — Guided Access will stay on until you exit it.

Exit a Guided Access session

To end the session, swipe up from the bottom of the screen with four fingers. A menu will appear asking you to enter your Guided Access passcode. Type the code (or use Face ID if you set that up). Tap End. The app will return to normal, and all buttons and gestures will work again.

Only someone who knows the passcode can exit. If you hand the iPad to a child and they try to leave, they will be stuck in the app. This is the main point of Guided Access — it is a one-way lock until you unlock it.

Guided Access passcode vs. your iPad passcode

Your Guided Access passcode is separate from the passcode that locks your entire iPad. You can set them to the same number, but most people use different codes. This way, you can hand someone the iPad in Guided Access mode without giving them the ability to access your email, photos, or other apps once they exit.

If you forget your Guided Access passcode, you will need to go back to Settings, turn off Guided Access, and set a new one. You cannot exit a session without the correct code, so write it down or use a code you will remember.

Common problems and fixes

If triple-clicking the button does not open the Guided Access menu, make sure Guided Access is turned on in Settings. Some iPad models use different buttons — check whether you have a home button or a top button and triple-click the correct one. If you are using an iPad with Face ID, triple-click the top button on either side.

If you are locked in a Guided Access session and cannot remember your passcode, you will need to force restart the iPad. Press and hold the volume up button and the top button at the same time until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the iPad. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. This will end the Guided Access session, but you will lose any unsaved work in the app.

If Guided Access keeps turning off by itself, check that you did not accidentally set a time limit. Return to Settings, Accessibility, Display and Text Size, Guided Access, and look for any timer settings. There should not be one, but if there is, turn it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Guided Access on an iPad I share with other people?

Yes. Each time you start a session, you set it up fresh. You can disable different areas and controls each time depending on who is using it and what you want them to do. The passcode stays the same, so you do not have to reset it every time.

What if someone knows my Guided Access passcode?

They can exit any Guided Access session. If you share an iPad with someone you do not fully trust, use a passcode they cannot guess, or use Face ID instead so only your face can exit sessions. You can also change your passcode anytime in Settings.

Does Guided Access work on all iPad models?

Yes. Guided Access is built into every iPad running iOS 6 or later. The button you triple-click depends on your model — newer iPads use the top button, older ones use the home button. Check your iPad model in Settings, General, About if you are unsure which button to use.

Can I use Guided Access to prevent someone from using the camera or microphone?

No. Guided Access only locks you into one app and disables certain controls. It does not restrict what the app itself can do. If you want to prevent camera or microphone use, you need to use parental controls or app-level restrictions in Settings, Screen Time.

Will Guided Access drain my battery faster?

No. Guided Access does not use extra power. It straightforward disables certain inputs while the app runs normally. Battery drain depends on what app is running and how bright your screen is, not on Guided Access itself.