How to Lock Apps on Mac, iPhone and Android?

"I'm trying to lock individual apps on my Mac and iPhone, so as to control how I kids can use the device . Is there an application that can block websites on mac or block apps? Or anything I can do locally within my mac to achieve this. MacBook, Mac OS X (10.10), 250GB HD, 4GB RAM."--- Thomas Pink

How to lock apps on Mac, iPhone, even Android? It is a problem that has troubled many people. Nowadays, we have hundreds of applications installed on our Mac, iPhone and Android, some for entertainment and others for learning and working. It is necessary to lock apps on Mac, iPhone or Android when we have to share it with others. Here I will show you the reasons why you need lock apps and the way to lock apps on Mac, iPhone and Android.

Part 1. Why do we need to lock apps?

1. Data security.

2. Set limits to some apps to save unnecessary troubles.

3. Stop kids spending lots of time in playing games or other addicting apps.

4. Lock distracting apps to help you focused on working or learning.

Part 2. How to lock apps on Mac?

Method 1: Lock Apps on Mac with AppCrypt for Mac

Cisdem AppCrypt is an app locker which can lock Mac apps like YouTube, Contacts, Quicken, iPhoto, iTunes, Safari, Mail, etc. on your Mac and keeps tracks of failed attempts to access the blocked apps with date, time, and optional photo. Now, download Cisdem AppCrypt below and follow steps to lock apps with password on Mac.

Step 1. Install and launch Cisdem AppCrypt on Mac

Step 2. Lock Mac OS X applications with a password.

You will see the interface as below, this interface only appears when you use this software for the first time. Then set your AppCrypt password which is used to unlock the blocked apps and change the program settings. And you also need to enter the password when access to AppCrypt.

Step 3. Click "Add App" button to add apps which you want to be locked. And the apps will be listed on the left column.

AppCrypt will automatically password protect some crucial system applications, including Activity Monitor, System Preferences, Console and Terminal. In addition, you can click “Remove App” to remove apps from the block list.

Step 4. Set hot key, change password, etc.

Click the gear icon at the top-left corner and choose“Preference” to change your AppCrypt settings. It's best for you to check “Launch at system startup” and uncheck “Show status on Menu bar”. And you can also change your password on the premise that you remember the password. That’s all for the locking process, and your applications are locked down tight and will never to be accessed by others again.

Some Tips of Cisdem AppCrypt

1. Set time schedule to unlock locked apps at a specified time.

Cisdem AppCrypt allows you to lock Mac apps on specific days and times. it's very easy to set the time, as it is the same way you set your alarm clock.

2. Keep tracks of failed attempts to access the locked apps.

Last but not at least, it is able to keep track of failed attempts with date, time and optional captured photos so that you can review and find suspicious activities.

Method 2: Lock Apps on Mac via Built-in Disk Utility

The second way you can try is having your data protected with a inside lock that can only be opened by you or by someone who knows the password.

Step 1. In the search box on the top, type in "Disk Utility". Click it when it appears on your Mac screen.

Step 2. Create a secure disk image using folders on your Mac

Step 3. Drag the apps you want to lock there. Generally you should keep apps in the Applications folder, and you can also move them out.

Part 3. How to lock apps on iPhone?

1. Enable Guided Access feature for you iPhone

There is one built-in feature that allow you to lock apps on iPhone which named Guided Access. You can enable this feature for you iPhone following the steps below:

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on general.

Step 2. Tap on Accessibility, scroll down and choose Guided Access under the Learning section.

Step 3. Tab to turn on Guided Access.

Step 4. Tap on Passcode Settings and set a passcode for Guided Access.

Start to lock Apps on iPhone with Guided Access:

Step 1. Launch the App which you want to lock. In this case, we used Camera.

Step 2. Triple click the Home button to Start Guided Access and lock Camera App.

Step 3. Tap on Start at the top of the screen.

Step 4. Tap on Start at top right corner of the screen to begin Guided Access.

This is it! Now, you are safe to hand over your Mac and iPhone to your kids, friends or with whom you are not comfortable to share apps.

Part 4. How to lock apps on Android?

There are various kinds of screen locks for Android, such as PIN, password, pattern, etc., helping you lock Android phone. But it is too troublesome to unlock the Android every time when you go to use the phone. So if you want to protect your important apps, you can use an app name Smart App Protector to lock apps on Android.

1. Download Smart App Protector from Google Play Store and install it on your Android phone.
2. Launch the program. It will require you to install a Smart App Protector helper that ensures the major app service wouldn’t be killed by third party apps.
3. The original password is 7777, but you are able to change it in app Settings.
4. Next, come to Running tab. Click ADD button and choose apps that you need to lock from the pop out list. Click ADD button again.
5. Finally, check whether the app has been locked on Android or not.