Guided Access keeps an iPhone in one app for a temporary session. Enable it in Accessibility, set a Guided Access passcode, open the intended app, and use the button shortcut. Test how to end the session before handing over the phone. The most important part of setup is confirming that you can recover normal use promptly.
Decide what the person should be able to do
Start with the task rather than the restrictions. A child watching a downloaded video needs playback controls. A guest signing a form may need the keyboard and the ability to scroll. An employee using an inventory app might need a camera button. Write down the actions that should work and any screen areas you want to block. Test whether the app can perform the whole task before starting a session. If the task spans several apps, Guided Access can interrupt it because its purpose is to keep the current app available.
Guided Access is useful when someone needs temporary access to a specific activity. Prepare the app before handing over the device. Close any document or tab in the app that you do not intend to show. Switch to a sample item when practicing. Restricting the app does not decide which records, tabs or accounts are visible inside it. If the application itself presents a list of private documents, handle that within the app first. For a longer-term managed setup, check the options your organization uses for dedicated devices.
Turn on Guided Access and prepare an exit
Open Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access. Turn the feature on and review Passcode Settings. Choose a passcode you can remember and store it appropriately if you have a legitimate need to share recovery with another device owner. Check whether Face ID or Touch ID is available for ending the session on your model and software. Apple’s Guided Access instructions describe the current options, including the shortcut and session settings.
Practice on a harmless app before using the feature for a real event. Verify which physical button your iPhone uses, and check Apple’s instructions for the ending gesture on your iOS version. Starting and ending can involve different actions, particularly if you configured biometric authentication. If an accessibility shortcuts menu appears, select Guided Access there. Do not rely on a gesture you have never tried. Start a short session and end it while the device is still in your hands.
Start with the app in the right state
Open the app you intend to use and move to the exact page or activity. For a form, choose a sample record and confirm that the intended fields are visible. For a video, check playback and subtitles. Invoke the shortcut, review the available session controls, and start. The screen shown before starting is a chance to check whether you opened the correct app and whether the relevant options are available.
Test scrolling, the taps the other person needs, and any keyboard entry. After rotating the phone or changing its display configuration, check whether the controls are still reachable. A setup that works while the phone is flat on a desk can behave differently in a hand or on a stand. If the app depends on another app to authenticate or open a document, finish that step before limiting the session. For an offline trip, download any required content and test it separately. Our offline maps guide shows how to verify a downloaded item before you leave connectivity behind.
Limit only the controls that get in the way
Guided Access can limit touch and other available controls for the session. You can also mark areas of the screen that should ignore touches. Begin by restricting one area you recognize and test the result. A control may move when you scroll, rotate, open a keyboard, or change the data shown by the app. Check the region again after each of those actions. If the blocked area overlaps a required confirmation button, end or adjust the session rather than hoping it will be reachable later.
Review the button, touch, motion, keyboard, and time limit options available to your device. Let the intended user try a practice task. If they cannot complete it, remove a restriction or start with a simpler configuration. For a phone used to play audio, set the volume and output first. Our Background Sounds guide explains how to test the audio route and lock behavior in advance. Avoid placing a needed volume or playback action behind a control you cannot reach during the session.
End the session and check normal use
Use the documented exit shortcut and authenticate with your Guided Access passcode or configured biometric option. End the session and verify that you can open another app and reach ordinary controls again. If you want to change a setting during use, follow the available pause or options process and check the result after resuming. Repeat the entire sequence on the phone you intend to hand over. A newer iPhone on a different version is not a reliable proxy for testing the original device.
If you forget the passcode or the expected gesture fails, consult Apple’s guidance for the exact model and software before attempting disruptive recovery. Start by identifying whether the issue is a shortcut selection, biometric authentication, or the actual Guided Access passcode. Keep a working route to contact the device owner. If the phone will be used far from its owner, agree in advance how to end the session and who is responsible for doing so. A short written reminder for the authorized operator can save time.
Use a checklist for repeat sessions
For a borrowed device, verify the app, intended task, disabled controls and exit method. Then leave the device at its intended screen. At the end, check that normal use is restored and confirm where any saved file ended up. Our iPhone scanning guide offers an example of verifying a PDF before sharing it. That same habit is useful for forms and checklists completed during a Guided Access session.
If you use the feature for an event, repeat the rehearsal after updating the app or iOS. Use a real stand and the actual orientation where possible. Test both a successful task and a mistake the visitor might make, such as dismissing a keyboard or scrolling back to the start. Keep the least restrictive setup that lets them finish. For a session that lasts more than a few minutes, check the phone’s charge and leave a normal way to reach the operator if the app stops responding. A brief handoff demonstration is often enough to explain which controls are intentionally unavailable.
Frequently asked questions
Is Guided Access the same as a new user account?
It temporarily limits the device to the current app. Review the app’s own content and account before starting.
Can I block just part of an app?
You can choose screen areas to ignore touches. Test that the app’s layout still behaves as expected when it scrolls or changes orientation.
Should I test the exit before handing over the phone?
Yes. Confirm the button action and authentication on the same phone, and check that you can return to normal use.
