To restrict what apps are allowed on an iOS based device you will leverage the built in Screen Time settings to choose which of the installed apps should be accessible. This feature allows an administrator to proactively manage what a local user can access without permission. Any app that is not allowed will not be accessible without a pin.
Configure App Restrictions on iOS
Apple’s design leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to restricting apps. By Default, you can control the default apps that come with the phone by going to:
- Settings
- Screen Time
- Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Enter four-digit passcode
- Tap the Content & Privacy Restrictions toggle
- Click Allowed Apps
- Click on each of the apps you want to turn off (they are enabled by default).
The issue with this is that it only supports the apps provided by Apple.
To achieve the same affect for non-Apple apps, you have to trick the system and use the App Limits option.
- Settings
- Screen Time
- App Limits
- Add limit
- Select a category (e.g., social)
- Select app (e.g., instagram)
- Click Next
- Set time restriction (e.g., 1 minute)
- Click Add
It’s not clean, but it works. This will set access to the app for 1 minute a day, and it resets every day at midnight.
Next time the user tries to access the app, they will be greeted with the following splash page:
