How to stop ‘smartphone snoopers’: These four iPhone tricks block other users from looking at your messages, photos and notes

Most people will be reluctant to let someone else use their iPhone for fear that their friend or family member will snoop through their text messages, notes, and photos.

Fortunately, Apple has developed four features that act as security systems to prevent prying eyes from peeping into your private digital possessions.

These include Guided Access that locks users to a single app on your device and an option that hides apps on the home screen.

Use Guided Access on iPhone

Some people may ask to use your iPhone to check their social media accounts, emails, or play games, but they may also wonder what other apps are on the device without your knowledge.

For this, Apple has “Guided Access” which It locks the user within a single application.

Many users have found this to be ideal for handing over the phone to a child, allowing them to be blocked from roaming.

This feature has a separate security system and passcode, so even if someone knows your PIN that unlocks your iPhone, they won’t be able to see the rest of your stuff.

To set up Guided Access, go to Settings > Accessibility, then turn on Guided Access.

To start a Guided Access session, open the app you want, triple-click the side button, tap Guided Access, and then Start.

Enter the passcode, and then re-enter it. From here, you can also turn on Face ID or Touch ID to end a Guided Access session.

hide pictures

These include Guided Access that locks users to a single app on your device and an option that hides apps on the home screen

Sometimes people take selfies that will make others feel down, but Apple can hide them from your album.

This can be done by creating a separate folder in the Photos app which requires a file Face ID or fingerprint to unlock.

To do this, open Photos, select the photo or video you want to hide, click the More button, then Hide.

Confirm that you want to hide the photo or video.

Keep your private notes safe on iPhone

Many iOS users write personal messages in the Notes app that they don’t want the world to see Fortunately, you can choose to lock individual notes.

Go to Settings > Notes > Password, then tap Use a custom password (so it’s a different password than your device’s master password), or lock Notes with Face ID or Touch ID.

Hide apps you don’t want people to see

Apps are another personal preference, including those for dating and work, that can reveal details you don’t want others to know.

But with a few clicks, you can hide these apps from view.

On the iPhone Home screen, tap and hold the app icon, then select “Remove App,” then “Remove App from Home Screen.”

Remember, the app is still visible in your library and via search.