How to Lock Facebook Messenger on Mac, Windows PC, iPhone and Android

Messenger (formerly known as Facebook Messenger) is a popular instant messaging app. However, many people are concerned about privacy issues when using it. It's a good idea to put a password on Messenger to prevent others from easily viewing your Messenger chat history. In this article, we will show you how to do it uisng the built-in app lock feature or a third-party app locker.

 Cisdem AppCrypt

The Best Tool to Password Protect Messenger

• Lock individual apps, like Messenger, with password
• Offer an option to automatically relock apps after a period of inactivity
• Record failed attempts to open locked apps
• Also block websites with password
• Let you block specific sites and pages, URLs containing certain words, or all sites except a few
• Let you lock apps and block websites permanently or at scheduled times
• Easy to use
• Hard to bypass
• Help with privacy protection, productivity and parental controls
• Support Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android

Free Download Windows 10 or later Free Download macOS 10.12 or later GET IT ON Google Play Download on the App Store

Quick Highlights

• You can lock Messenger using Cisdem AppCrypt or Messenger's built-in App Lock feature.
• With Cisdem AppCrypt, you can password protect Massenger on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android. In addition, this third-party app locker offers other advanced features to protect your privacy in Messenger, such as automatically re-locking the app after a period of inactivity.
• As of December 15, 2025, the Messenger desktop app has been officially discontinued. If you want to lock messenger.com website instead, Cisdem AppCrypt also helps.
• With Messenger's built-in App Lock, you can lock Massenger on iPhone or Android using Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint authentication.

How to lock Messenger on Mac and Windows PC

To put a password on Messenger on computer, you can use Cisdem AppCrypt, an app locker and website blocker.

When working as an app lock for Messenger, AppCrypt can do the following things.

• Ask for the password when you or someone else tries to open Messenger
• Automatically relock Messenger after a period of inactivity or when you quit Messenger
• Record the date and time when someone tries to open Messenger and enters the wrong password

Step 1. Install the app lock.

Download and install AppCrypt on your Mac or Windows PC.

Free Download macOS 10.12 or later Free Download Windows 10 or later

Step 2. Set a password.

When you open it for the first time, set a password. It’s recommended to check the box next to Launch at System Startup.

Step 3. Open the main window of AppCrypt.

On a Mac, click the lock icon in the menu bar. Choose Open Main Window.

On a Windows PC, click its icon in the taskbar. Choose Open Main Window.

Enter the password to access the main window.

Step 4. Under the App Lock tab, add Messenger to lock.

On a Mac, click the plus button. Select the Messenger app. Click Open. Alternatively, you can use drag and drop.

On a Windows PC, drag the desktop shortcut of the Messenger app into the App Lock tab. You can also use the Add button.

Note: This note is for Windows users. If your Messenger app is installed from Microsoft Store, you won’t find its shortcut on desktop. In such a case, go to File Explorer to find the .exe file of Messenger and then add it to lock. Below is the location of Messenger.

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\FACEBOOK.317180B0BB486_2020.15.225.0_x64__8xx8rvfyw5nnt\app

Now Messenger is locked and protected. Only people who know the password can open it.

There are three ways to unlock Messenger temporarily (such as quitting AppCrypt) and one way to remove the lock from Messenger. Any of the four ways requires the password. Therefore, the lock can effectively protect your privacy.

Tip: It’s recommended to turn on the auto lock. To do this, go to Preferences > App Lock and select the Enable automatic lock when app is deactivated checkbox. You can specify the amount of time.

How to lock Messenger on iPhone

There are two easy methods.

Use Messenger's built-in App Lock

The good news is that Messenger introduced the built-in App Lock feature for iPhone and iPad users in 2020.

It's very easy to turn on this feature on your iPhone.

Step 1. On your iPhone, open Messenger.

Step 2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.

Step 3. Tap Privacy & safety.

Step 4. Tap App Lock.

Step 5. Turn on Require Face ID or Require Touch ID.

Step 6. When asked, click OK to allow Messenger to use Face ID or Touch ID.

Step 7. In the Require Face ID or Touch ID section that appears, select when to activate the lock.

In step 7, there are four options. You can set the lock to be activated the moment, 1minute, 15 minutes or 1 hour after you leave Messenger. Select the option that best suits your needs.

Note: To use this App Lock feature in Messenger, you need an iPhone that supports Face ID or Touch ID and you need to set up Face ID or Touch ID.

Use a third-party app locker

Cisdem AppCrypt allows you to lock Messages app on your iPhone easily.

Step 1. Download this tool from the App Store.

Download on theApp Store

Step 2. Click App Lock.

Step 3. Click the Add/Remove button at the bottom.

Step 4. Search for Messages app. Add it.

Now Messages is locked.

Step 5. This step is optional: Go to Preferences. Click Notifications. Turn on the option of “Notification”and "Notification unlock". It will then prompt you to set a password for protecting your settings.

How to put a lock on your Messenger app on Android

There are also two methods.

Use Messenger’s built-in App Lock

If the built-in App Lock feature is available for you, then congratulations. You can effortlessly turn in on.

Step 1. On your device, open Messenger.

Step 2. In the top left corner of the screen, tap the Menu button.

Step 3. Tap the Settings button.

Step 4. Tap Privacy & safety.

Step 5. Tap App Lock.

Step 6. Turn on Unlock with biometrics.

Step 7. Select when to activate the lock.

You can unlock Messenger with your fingerprint or face, depending on your settings. To remove the lock, just turn off the feature.

Use a third-party app locker

If the Messenger app on your Android phone doesn’t have the App Lock feature, you can use a third-party app lock app. Cisdem AppCrypt allows you to easily lock individual apps on Android, including the Messenger app.

Step 1. Install Cisdem AppCrypt.

GET IT ONGoogle Play

Step 2. When you first open it, set a PIN or pattern.

Step 3. In the App Lock tab, use the search feature to find the Messenger app.

Step 4. Toggle the switch to the on position.

Now Messenger is locked with the PIN or pattern set in step 2.

When you or someone else tries to open Messengers, it won't open. Instead, a screen will appear, asking for the PIN or pattern.

Tip: This tip is for Samsung users. Samsung phones have a feature called Secure Folder. With it, you can easily lock Messenger. To find this feature, go to Settings > Biometrics and security. Click Secure Folder. Tap the Add button. Select Messenger and tap Add. Now Messenger can be secured with a pattern, PIN or password. To remove the lock, just move the app out of Secure Folder.

FAQs

What is the best way to lock Messenger?

The best way to lock Messenger is using Cisdem AppCrypt. It allows you to not only put a password on Messenger, but also protect other privacy apps on your computer or phone with ease.

Can I lock the Messenger website?

Yes. You can use Cisdem AppCrypt to lock the Messenger website on Chrome, Safari, Edge, and other browsers with password. Simply go to the Web Block tab, enter messenger.com in the URL field. Click Add. Without the correct password, no one will be able to access the site or snoop on your private chats.

Conclusion

The built-in App Lock feature is currently only available on iPhone and some Android devices or versions. Luckily, third-party app locker can also help you protect your privacy in Messenger. If you also need to automatically lock Messenger after a period of inactivity and want to lock the Messenger website, Cisdem AppCrypt is the best choice.