Guided Access is stuck or won't set up on your iPhone or iPad
Guided Access is a feature that locks your device to a single app and disables certain buttons or gestures. When it stops working, the most common cause is that it's already turned on — you're trying to set up it while it's already running, which does nothing. The second most common cause is that you haven't set a passcode for Guided Access itself, separate from your device passcode. The third is that the feature is turned off in Settings.
Start by checking whether Guided Access is already active. Look at the top of your screen. If you see a blue bar or notice that your home button, side button, or gestures don't respond the way they normally do, Guided Access is on. To exit it, swipe up from the bottom (or down from the top on older models) and tap End Session, then enter your Guided Access passcode.
If Guided Access is not currently on but won't start when you try, the problem is almost always a missing passcode. Guided Access requires its own four-digit code, separate from your device lock code. Without it set, the feature cannot set up.
Key Takeaways
- Guided Access often appears broken because it's already running — check the top of your screen for a blue bar or unresponsive buttons, and swipe to end the session if you find it.
- The feature requires its own passcode in Settings, different from your device passcode, and will not set up without one.
- Guided Access must be turned on in Accessibility settings before you can use it on any app.
- If you forget your Guided Access passcode, you must reset your device to remove it.
Check whether Guided Access is already running
The fastest way to know if Guided Access is on is to try the buttons and gestures you normally use. On an iPhone with Face ID, try swiping down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. On an iPhone with a home button, try swiping up from the bottom. If nothing happens, Guided Access is active.
Another sign is a blue bar at the top of the screen that says "Guided Access" or shows a timer. If you see this, the feature is running. To stop it, perform the exit gesture for your device (swipe down from top-right or swipe up from bottom), then tap the End Session button. You will be asked to enter your Guided Access passcode. Type it and tap End.
Once you exit, try activating Guided Access again. Open any app, then triple-click the home button (or the side button on newer iPhones). A menu should appear with options to customize the session. If this menu does not appear, move to the next section.
Set up a Guided Access passcode in Settings
Open Settings and go to Accessibility. Scroll down and tap Guided Access. You will see a toggle at the top — make sure it is turned on (green). Below that, you will see Passcode Settings.
Tap Passcode Settings, then tap Set Up Guided Access Passcode. You will be asked to create a four-digit code. This code is separate from your device passcode and is required every time you want to start or end a Guided Access session. Choose a code you will remember, because forgetting it means you cannot exit Guided Access without resetting your device.
After you set the passcode, go back and confirm that the Guided Access toggle is still on. Then open any app and triple-click the home button (or side button) to test. The Guided Access menu should now appear.
Turn on Guided Access in Accessibility settings
Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then scroll to find Guided Access. If you do not see it, your device may not support the feature — Guided Access is available on all current iPhones and iPads, but older models may not have it.
Tap Guided Access and look at the toggle at the top of the screen. It should be green (on). If it is gray (off), tap it to turn it on. This is the master switch that enables the feature across your entire device.
Once the toggle is on, you can use Guided Access on any app. Remember that you still need to have set a passcode first, or the feature will not start.
What to do if you forgot your Guided Access passcode
If you have forgotten your Guided Access passcode and are currently stuck in a Guided Access session, you cannot exit without the code. The only way out is to force restart your device, which will end the session but will not remove the passcode requirement.
To force restart, the method depends on your device model. On iPhone 8 and newer, quickly press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears. On iPhone 7 and earlier, press and hold the top (or side) button and the volume down button together until the slider appears. Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, then power back on.
After the restart, you will still need your Guided Access passcode to exit any new session. If you cannot remember it, the only permanent solution is to reset your device through Settings (Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) or through a computer with Finder or iTunes. This will remove all Guided Access settings and allow you to start fresh.
Why Guided Access stops responding mid-session
Sometimes Guided Access is running but buttons or gestures stop working partway through. This usually means the app itself has crashed or frozen. Try waiting 10 to 15 seconds to see if the app recovers. If it does not, you will need to exit Guided Access to force-close the app.
Perform the exit gesture (swipe from top-right or bottom, depending on your model), tap End Session, enter your passcode, then force-close the app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and holding the app's card until a red minus sign appears. Tap the minus sign to close it.
If Guided Access itself becomes unresponsive and you cannot swipe to exit, force restart your device using the method described above. This will end the session without requiring your passcode.
Guided Access and screen time or parental controls
If you have Screen Time or parental controls turned on, they can sometimes interfere with Guided Access. Screen Time is a separate feature that limits app usage and restricts certain functions. If both are on at the same time, one may override the other.
To check, go to Settings > Screen Time. If it is on, note that it is a different feature from Guided Access. You can use both, but they serve different purposes. Guided Access locks you into a single app and disables specific buttons or areas of the screen. Screen Time limits how long you can use apps and restricts content. If you are trying to use Guided Access and it is not working, temporarily turn off Screen Time to test whether it is the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Guided Access without setting a passcode?
No. Guided Access requires a four-digit passcode before it will set up. This passcode is separate from your device lock code and must be set in Accessibility settings. Without it, the feature cannot start.
What happens if I triple-click the button and nothing appears?
Guided Access is either turned off in Settings, or you have not set a passcode yet. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and confirm the toggle is on (green), then set a passcode in Passcode Settings. After that, triple-clicking should bring up the menu.
Can I use Guided Access on Android?
No. Guided Access is an Apple feature available only on iPhone and iPad. Android devices have a similar feature called Screen Pinning, which works in a similar way but is accessed differently — usually through the recent apps menu.
Why does my Guided Access passcode not work when I try to exit?
Make sure you are entering the four-digit Guided Access passcode, not your device passcode. They are separate codes. If you have entered the correct code and it still does not work, try restarting your device. If the problem continues, you may need to reset your device to clear the passcode.
Can I change my Guided Access passcode?
Yes. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access > Passcode Settings > Change Guided Access Passcode. You will need to enter your current passcode first, then create a new one.