A long time ago, I shared a Cydia tweak that lets you passcode lock applications on your iPhone's homescreen. While you can still get that tweak if you're running an ancient version of iOS, time has moved on, and you probably did too. So today I'm sharing a more modern free tweak that's designed exclusively for iOS 7, with support of older versions of iOS coming soon.
Released this week is a tweak called iAppLock. As the name suggests, it lets you lock apps. The app is really basic right now. However, a pro version is also in the making, which will obviously be paid but will also offer more features too.
When you open up iAppLock or any locked app you'll be presented with a screen similar to the one below. It's really simple and friendly and doesn't take up time to quickly type in the passcode if you're familiar with it.
In the main (Protect) tab you will find your list of protected apps. With two taps you can add another app to that list. And similarly, it takes only two taps to remove it. To add an app simply tap the Add button then choose an app. To remove an app, tap on it in the Protected Apps list and confirm the removal.
This is really useful as you can protect apps you don't want your friends, family or colleagues taking a look at when you hand them your iPhone.
The app currently has a few settings. But as I mentioned earlier, more features should be available in the pro version when that's released.
One feature I do find useful is the ability to delay the lock. So instead of typing in your passcode 300 times every day, you can choose to have the app unlocked for 10 mins before having it locked again. You can choose between getting asked every 1, 5 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
Another useful feature offered by iAppLock is the ability to recover your passcode using email incase you have forgotten it. If you type in the incorrect passcode 3 times, an email will be sent to an email address which you specify when setting up iAppLock for the first time. So make sure you lock your email app if you have that email address set up on your iPhone.
Additionally you may want to lock up Cydia as someone can uninstall iAppLock from Cydia and gain access to locked apps. Additionally if the iPhone enters safe mode then the apps are no longer locked.
One feature I would love to see in the pro version is the ability to keep apps unlocked when at home for example when I know no one is going to use my iPhone anyway. I can think of a couple of ways that this can be done. The first is to disable iAppLock when the user is connected to his/her home's WiFi. This method has been implemented in a Cydia tweak before. Another method is to allow users to temporarily disable iAppLock, and then enable it manually whenever the user leaves the house. If this is available in the pro version then I'll be willing to purchase it.
That's it for today's tweak. iAppLock is available in Cydia for free. It is made for iPhones running iOS 7. I tested it on my iPad and it kind of works except with a few bugs here and there.
What do you think of iAppLock? What was the most embarrassing that happened to you when a friend took your iPhone? Feel free to share it, I won't laugh!
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