As an iPhone owner, many of my fiends love to have a quick look at this Apple’s sweet device. There’s no problem with that But my concern is that I can’t lend my iPhone without potentially giving them access to lots of personal data. (Email App, Messages, Contacts, Call history, browser history, etc.)
Unfortunately, even in iPhone 3GS, we can only set a passcode to gain access to iPhone’s home screen but we don’t have App-Specific password protection. I don’t mind passing my phone around at a party to share a YouTube video or funny web site, but you have to keep a close eye on people to make sure they don’t go messing around with things they shouldn’t be. Like I don’t want others to have access to Email App or SMS or Photos.
Once again Thanks to the Jailbreak Community where iPhone users can enjoy the App-Specific password protection. A free iPhone App: LockDown, available in Cydia has the ability to Password protect your desired application on iPhone. LockDown works like a charm on iPhone OS 3.0 and also supports 2.x firmwares as well.
How to Password Protect/Lock Applications on iPhone
Let me give you a walk through of LockDown.
How to install LockDown
Update: Lockdown is supported upto iOS 3.1.3. for iOS 4.x or later, you should get LockDown Pro or Locktopus.
To install LockDown, you need to jailbreak your iPhone first. Learn how to jailbreak your iPhone:
Once you have jailbroken your iPhone. You’ll got a Cydia icon on your SpringBoard.
- Launch the Cydia.
- Go to Search Tab and search for Lock Down and tap it.
- Tap Install button at Top-Right and then Confirm button at Top-Right to begin installation.
- After completion, go back to Springboard where you’ll find a brand new icon i.e. LockDown.
How to use LockDown
- When you will run the Lockdown application for the first time, you will be asked to setup a Safety Code and a Password. This password will be used to unlock any locked application and to open Lockdown itself. Safety code is useful in case you forget your LockDown password.
- Once you have setup the Password and safety code, you will see all your iPhone applications listed on next screen.
- Select any application you want to lock, a Lock button will appear. By tapping that button your selected application will be locked and a little lock icon will appear next to that locked application.
- Now if you close LockDown App and try to open you locked application (Mail app in this example), you will be prompted to enter the password to open it. Use your Lockdown password to open that App.
(Once you open the app, use it and when you close the app it will be automatically locked again. So no need to re-lock it in LockDown.)
Lets check other options in Lock Down.
- Tap LockDown to launch it. This time you’ll be asked to input the password to open LockDown. Do it.
- Tapping any locked application in LockDown will prompt you if you want to Unlock it. Pressing the Unlock button will perform the unlock that App.
- Locked Applications button at the top right quickly shows all the locked application only rather scrolling through all applications to locate locked ones.
- Under Settings tab at Bottom, following options are available:Locking Options
- Lock All Applications
- Unlock All Applications
- Lock This Application (ON/OFF)
Password Management
- Change Saftey Word
- Change Password
- Forgot Password
Other Settings
- Lockdown Dylib (If you turn it OFF, even if you open a locked application it will not prompt for password. So, it’s helpful when you are using your iPhone by yourself. See the details in screenshot. )
- Lock Icon Moving (When turned ON it do NOT let anyone to move any icon to preserve your arrangement of icons.)
- Lock App Deletion (When turned ON it do NOT let anyone to delete any application without your permission.)
- Enable Launch Button (When turned ON, Lockdown will show a launch button when you open a locked application and input password.)
I am using this great application since the day it’s supported with iPhone OS 3.0. It’s working like a charm and will keep it installed because of its usefulness and surely recommend it.