Guided Access is a fantastic feature on your iPhone 12 Pro Max that lets you temporarily restrict your device to a single app. This is incredibly useful when you want to lend your iPhone to a child, allowing them to use only one app without accidentally accessing other areas of your phone. It’s also a great tool for improving focus by limiting distractions to just the app you need. You can even set time limits and customize which hardware buttons, features, and screen areas are available.
Setting Up Guided Access on Your iPhone 12 Pro Max
Before you can use Guided Access, you need to enable it in your iPhone’s settings. Here’s how:
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Open the Settings app.
alt: The settings app icon on an iPhone, a grey gear on a light background.
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Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
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Scroll to the bottom and tap Guided Access.
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Toggle the Guided Access switch to the on position (it will turn green).
Now that Guided Access is enabled, you can customize its settings:
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Passcode Settings: This is crucial for ending a Guided Access session. Tap “Passcode Settings” then “Set Guided Access Passcode.” Enter a passcode you’ll remember, but one that others won’t easily guess. You can also enable Face ID or Touch ID (depending on your iPhone model) to end Guided Access sessions, which is convenient.
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Time Limits: This feature allows you to set a time limit for how long Guided Access can remain active. You can choose to have a sound play or the time remaining spoken aloud before the session ends, giving the user a warning.
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Accessibility Shortcut: Enabling this lets you use the Accessibility Shortcut during a Guided Access session. This is handy if you need quick access to other accessibility features.
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Display Auto-Lock: This determines how long the iPhone will wait before automatically locking during a Guided Access session. This is useful for power saving and security.
Starting a Guided Access Session
Once you’ve configured Guided Access, starting a session is simple:
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Open the app you want to lock the iPhone to. For instance, if you want to let a child use a specific educational app, open that app.
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Triple-click the side button (the power button on the right side of your iPhone 12 Pro Max).
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The Guided Access interface will appear.
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(Optional) Circle any areas of the screen you want to disable. For example, you might want to prevent accidental purchases in a game by disabling the in-app purchase buttons. Simply draw a circle around the area; a gray mask will appear. You can drag the mask to reposition it or use the handles to adjust its size.
alt: A screenshot showing the Guided Access interface with a gray mask overlaying part of the screen, indicating a disabled area.
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Tap Options in the bottom-left corner. Here, you can customize the following:
- Side Button: Disable the side button entirely.
- Volume Buttons: Disable the volume buttons.
- Motion: Prevent the iPhone from rotating between portrait and landscape orientations, and disable response to other motions. This is helpful for keeping the app in a specific orientation.
- Software Keyboards: Disable the software keyboard from appearing. This is useful if the app doesn’t require text input.
- Touch: Disable touch input altogether, effectively turning the screen into a read-only display.
- Time Limit: Set a specific time limit for the Guided Access session.
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Tap Start in the top-right corner.
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Enter your Guided Access passcode (or use Face ID/Touch ID if enabled) to begin the session.
Important Note: Crash Detection and Emergency Services are unavailable while Guided Access is active. Remember to exit Guided Access if you need to use these features.
Ending a Guided Access Session
Ending a Guided Access session is just as straightforward:
- Triple-click the side button.
- Enter your Guided Access passcode. If you enabled Face ID or Touch ID in the settings, you can double-click the side button and use biometric authentication instead.
- Tap End in the top-left corner of the screen.
You’re now back to normal iPhone operation!
Alternatives to Guided Access
While Guided Access is a powerful tool, it’s worth mentioning that Apple offers other features that may suit your needs even better. For example, Assistive Access provides a simplified user interface and customizable core features. This can be a better option if you need a long-term solution for someone who needs a simpler iPhone experience.
Conclusion
Guided Access on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is an incredibly useful feature for various scenarios. Whether you’re trying to limit a child’s access to specific apps, focus on a single task without distractions, or simply lend your phone to someone with limited tech skills, Guided Access provides a simple and effective solution. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily set up and use Guided Access to enhance your iPhone experience.
