How to Lock Screen for Kids? (iPhone, iPad, Android)

How to Lock Screen for Kids

Most parents would make a smart device companion for their little kids, especially during busy moments. Gradually, kids become familiar with those screens and want to toy with them. However, that might lead to touching by mistake and accessing some unsuitable websites for kids. You may wonder: How to lock the screen for kids? Without further ado, this article will tell you the detailed steps.

How to Lock Screen for Kids?

You may entertain your kids on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Check the below steps to lock the screen for your kids on different devices.

How to Lock Screen for Kids on iPhone: Guided Access

Locking the screen on an iPhone for kids can prevent accidental touches and avoid unexpected consequences. Using the built-in “Guided Access” feature is the most direct approach. It’s a little bit complicated. However, we will guide you with very simple steps. Please read on.

“Guided Access” keeps the iPhone locked in a single app and allows you to control which features are available. To use the “Guided Access” feature, you need to enable it in Settings first. Then, open the app your child will use (e.g., a video app) and triple-click the side button. Detailed instructions are provided below.

Enable “Guided Access”

To use the “Guided Access” feature to lock the screen for your kids, you must enable it first.

Step 1. Open “Settings”.

Step 2. Scroll down and find “Accessibility”.

Step 3. Scroll further down, and in the “General” section, locate “Guided Access”. Tap in and toggle the button to turn on it.

Additional settings:

  • Passcode Settings: Before use, you can choose “Set Guided Access Passcode” or enable “Face ID”. These will be required during Guided Access mode.
  • Time Limits: You can set an Alarm to notify you when the screen locking ends.
  • Enabling “Accessibility Shortcuts” makes things easier. This means you can triple-click the side button to access Guided Access settings quickly.
  • You can also enable “Auto-Lock”. Set how long it takes your iPhone to automatically lock during a Guided Access session.

Using “Guided Access” in an App

“Guided Access” can’t work alone. It has to work with certain apps. For example, most parents will let YouTube Kid video company with their kids. Hence, launch your YouTube now and learn how to lock the screen for your kids below.

Step 1. Open the app your child will use or the cartoon they will watch, such as a YouTube kid video.

Step 2. Triple-click the side button to open the “Guided Access” screen.

Step 3. Circle a limited area.

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a prompt: Circle areas on the screen you would like to disable. Follow the prompt and circle a limited area. Your child will not be able to interact with anything in the circled area.

Circle a limited area

Step 4. After selecting the area, click “Options” at the bottom-left corner to add further restrictions. You can choose to disable features such as the Side Button, Volume Buttons, Motion, Software Keyboards, Touch, and Time Limit.

set more limitations

Step 5. Once the settings are complete, click “Done” and “Start” in the top-right corner. The screen is now successfully locked for your child.

Successfully lock screen for your kids

End “Guided Access”

To end “Guided Access”, you can wait for the time limit to end to automatically exit or exit it manually.

  • Triple-click the side button to open the “Guided Access” settings screen.
  • Click “End” in the top-left corner and enter the passcode you set earlier to successfully exit Guided Access mode.
End “Guided Access”

Note: The steps to lock the screen for your child on an iPad are the same as those for an iPhone.

How to Lock Screen for Kids on Android: Screen Pinning

The purpose of locking the screen on Android devices for kids is true of on an iPhone: help prevent accidental touches, safeguard important files, and ensure that children stay on the intended app. Here’s a detailed guide to help you set up a locked screen for kids on Android devices using Screen Pinning.

Screen Pinning is a built-in Android feature that locks the device to a single app, restricting access to other apps or settings. Here’s how you can enable and use this feature:

Enable Screen Pinning

First, you need to enable the Screen Pinning.

  • Open Settings on your Android device.
  • Go to Security & Location (or Biometrics and Security on some devices).
  • Scroll down and find Screen Pinning (sometimes under Advanced or Other Security Settings).
  • Toggle Screen Pinning on.
  • For added security, enable the option to Ask for Unlock Pattern/Password Before Unpinning.

Use Screen Pinning

  • Open the app you want your child to use, such as a video or game app.
  • Tap the Recent Apps button (or swipe up for the app overview screen on some devices).
  • Locate the app you want to pin and tap the Pin Icon (or select Pin this app from the menu).
  • The screen is now locked to the selected app.

Exit Screen Pinning

  • To exit, hold down the Back and Recent Apps buttons simultaneously (or follow the prompt based on your Android version).
  • Enter your unlock pattern or password to return to the home screen.

Can I Use Third-Party Softwares to Lock Screen for Kids?

You could but it’s not highly recommended to use a third-party app to lock screen for kids. While third-party software may seem like an easy solution for locking your screen, it’s not the safest option. Many third-party apps can compromise your data or expose your device to security risks. Some apps may not function as intended or could contain intrusive advertisements.

Most importantly, both Android and iPhone devices already have robust built-in features for managing and locking the screen for kids, such as Guided Access on iOS and Screen Pinning on Android introduced in this post. These features are specifically designed to ensure safety and ease of use without needing to rely on external apps. Just learning how to operate for a while, you can get safety and convenience.

Whenever possible, stick to native features on your device. Built-in tools provide better security and fewer risks compared to third-party alternatives.

If you are still worried about security, you can consider using a VPN. Using a VPN can significantly enhance security and privacy protection. For example, a VPN service like lightningX VPN can help hide your children’s online activities while they are using their devices, preventing interference from ads, malicious websites, and inappropriate content. This is achieved by encrypting internet traffic and hiding real IP addresses, thus providing children with a safer online environment.

Tip:

Also, it can help unblock more kids’ content from different countries with 2000+ servers in more than 50 countries. Free to download, you can try the premium features without pay. Use LightningX VPN for more screen safety!

LightningX VPN

FAQs – How to Lock Screen for Kids?

Q1. Can I Lock the iPad Screen for Kids?

Yes, the process is the same as locking an iPhone screen. Use Guided Access to keep the iPad in a single app and control which features are accessible.

Q2. Is There a Way to Lock My Chromebook for Kids?

Yes, you can use Parental Controls through Google Family Link. It allows you to manage app access and screen usage on Chromebooks.

Q3. Can I Use Screen Pinning or Guided Access for Multiple Apps?

No, both features are designed to lock the screen to a single app. For multi-app usage, consider using parental control apps like Google Family Link or Apple’s Screen Time for broader restrictions.

Conclusion

Locking the screen for kids is an effective way to ensure their safety and manage screen time. This post mainly introduces how to lock the screen for kids on an iPhone and on an Android. Again, always using the built-in screen-locking features is the safest approach in daily life, especially living in an AI era. Plus, “Guided Access” on iOS and “Screen Pining” on Android are enough helpful!

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