How to block apps and features on iPhone

Regarding the hardware, we should not highlight in any case any point to take into account. Is regardless of the iPhone or iPad you have, andto which this software requirement will always apply. Obviously, it may become more recommended on an iPad, since in these cases it is a device that is more applied to sharing with other people due to the versatility it has at the moment.

What will you get with these restrictions?

The restrictions that are applied have numerous advantages when it comes to parental control. At first, what is presented is the limitation of access to some applications. This is ideal in the event that you have the banking application or one that is compromised. In this case, you will only have to leave “open” those applications that, for example, are of the recommended age that adapts to the years of the youngest in the house. This will always you can rest assured that whoever picks up the mobile phone or iPad use those apps that are designed for your age range.

But it is not limited to this, since in addition to applications, there is also the possibility of vetoing many other services. In this case you can find, for example, access to the App Store or iTunes Store. But when it comes to privacy, you can allow changes or also limit the apps that use it at that specific time. What stands out at all times is that you will always be able to have access to absolute control of the entire device to adapt to the situation that arises. In addition, it is something that can always be linked to the concentration modes that can be enabled. In this way, you will quickly be able to access all these functionalities depending on who is using the device, be it iPhone or iPad.

Steps to activate restrictions on iPhone and iPad

Once all these factors are taken into account, it is time to carry out the activation process of all the restrictions that the system allows in relation to specific applications or functions. In general, what you will always have to do is follow the route Settings > Usage time y choose if it is your device or that of a child. Depending on who owns it, you’re going to have two totally different configuration paths.

Once done, you will have to go to Content restrictions and activate the option of Content and privacy. Be sure to choose a different code than the one you use to unlock your device. This will mean that not everyone will have access to these options to be able to edit them at will. This is ideal when you have children, in order to prevent them from skipping the parental control rules that you have applied yourself. Below we analyze the different functions that can be blocked in this case.

Prevent purchases from the App Store or iTunes Store

In the application or music store, you will find different options that are completely paid and do not have a free option. Obviously, this is something that adults are aware of, but in the case of children they do not understand that they are making payments. That is why you will be able to perform these blocks as follows:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen time.
2. Credit Content and Privacy Restrictions. If prompted, enter the access code.
3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
4. Choose a setting and set it to Don’t allow.

Application restrictions

As we have mentioned previously, it is possible to restrict the use to some applications or functions that are integrated into the system. If you disable an app or feature, it won’t be removed, but will be temporarily hidden on the home screen. This will make it impossible to even be tempted to access it. To do this, you will simply have to make the following changes:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Enter the Screen Time code.
4. Credit Apps allowed.
5. Select the apps you want to allow.

Block web content

In both iOS and iPadOS, it will be possible to automatically filter the content of websites in order to limit access to adult content in Safari. But it is not limited to the browser as it also opens other apps that are installed on the device in question. In addition, it will also be possible to create a personalized list of approved or blocked to prevent access to a specific web address. In order to apply this configuration you must follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, and enter the Screen Time code.
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then Web content.
4. Choose Unrestricted access, Limit access to adult websites o Only allowed websites.

Block changes to privacy settings

Your device’s privacy settings let you control which apps have access to information stored on your device or hardware features. For example, you can allow a social network app to request access to the camera so that you can take photos and upload them. To be able to edit them, you will simply have to apply the following steps:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If prompted, enter the access code.
3. Tap Privacy and choose the settings you want to restrict.

In this case, the list of changes where the privacy settings can be applied in this case, can be found in the following services that are integrated into the system:

• Location.
• Contacts.
• Calendars.
• Reminders.
• Photos.
• Share my location.
• Compartir Bluetooth.
• Microphone.
• Speech recognition.
• Advertising.
• Multimedia y Apple Music.

Other settings and functions

Beyond these very general settings that we have discussed, you can also find other functions that are much more specific. In this case, we always invite you to carry out exhaustive research to customize the experience you want to achieve with your iPhone or iPad to the last point. In order to take them into account, you will simply follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen time.
2. Click on “Content and privacy restrictions”. If prompted, enter the access code.
3. Under “Allow Changes,” select the features or settings you want to allow changes to and choose Allow or “Don’t Allow.”

In the event that you want more information, you should know that the settings and functions that are open to change are the following:

• Code changes.
• Account changes.
• Use of mobile data.
• Volume limit.
• Do not disturb while driving.
• TV provider.
• Background apps.

In-app ad tracking

Privacy is one of the great flags of Apple. And because of this, now on the iPhone we have the ability to choose whether or not apps can track our preferences to show us ads that are based on our interests. Every time we install a new app and run it for the first time, if it is going to show us ads, we can choose between “Track” or “Ask the app not to track”. In this way, if we choose the second option, the app will not be able to access our data so that it shows us ads that may interest us.

To do this, we will go to Settings> Privacy and security> Tracking. Here a menu will open in which we will have a first option called “Allow apps to request to track you”. If it is activated, the apps will show the box with the two options that we have mentioned before. But if we have it disabled, the iPhone will automatically reject all tracking requests and no application will be able to access our data. Within the app, we will see a list with all the applications to which we have granted permission (or not) and control which have access to our data. There are certain applications that may require a certain level of tracking to function. Food delivery apps or mobility services may require tracking, but not all of them are, since this depends on the policies that each platform establishes as requirements for its correct operation.

This function is about another layer of privacy on our devices. Additionally, this feature is also available on iPadOS and tvOS, starting with version 14.5 of the operating system. The “Allow apps to ask to track you” feature can be turned on and off if we have a particular Apple ID and if we are of legal age. But there are some exceptions that Apple has established, so that this option is deactivated, without the possibility that we can activate it ourselves:

• If our Apple ID has a year of birth less than 18 years.
• If the Apple ID is in the name of a company or educational institution.
• If we have specific configuration profiles installed to increase privacy and limit tracking.
• If the Apple ID that we are using has been created less than three days ago.

Block apps through Focus Modes

We often forget that we can mute or block apps through Focus Modes that were first introduced on the iPhone and later extended to macOS. There are three concentration modes within our iPhone, but we can also customize customization modes under our preferences. The steps for its activation are the following:

1. create a home page with apps only What do you want to allow?
2. Go into Settings > Focus modes.
3. In the top right, click on the «+».
4. Tap on Customenter an icon and a name and click Next.
5. If you don’t want to remove notifications, tap To allow.
6. Now in Allowed Apps, tap on delete all.
7. Toca To allow y Ok.
8. Now tap on Starting screen and active custom pages.
9. Choose the screen where the apps are that you just want them to be usable.
10. You can activate this “Kids Mode” from the Control Center and holding on Focus.