How to Use Guided Access on iPhone 8 Plus: A Comprehensive Guide

Guided Access is a powerful feature on your iPhone 8 Plus that allows you to lock your device to a single app and control which features are available. This is particularly useful when letting children use your phone, or when you need to focus on a specific task without distractions. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to use Guided Access on your iPhone 8 Plus.

Setting Up Guided Access

Before you can use Guided Access, you need to enable it in your iPhone settings. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility.
2. Scroll down and tap on Guided Access.
3. Toggle the Guided Access switch to the “on” position.
4. Tap on Passcode Settings, then tap Set Guided Access Passcode.
5. Enter a passcode, and then re-enter it to confirm. Remember this passcode, as you will need it to exit Guided Access.
6. You can also enable Face ID or Touch ID to end Guided Access sessions for added convenience.

Starting a Guided Access Session on iPhone 8 Plus

Once you’ve set up Guided Access, starting a session is simple:

1. Open the app you want to use in Guided Access mode.
2. Triple-click the Home button.
3. (Optional) If you want to disable certain areas of the screen, use one finger to draw circles around those areas. You can move or resize these circles, or tap the “X” to remove them. This prevents accidental taps in those zones.
4. Tap Guided Access, then tap Start.

The iPhone 8 Plus will now be locked into the selected app.

iPhone 8 Plus Guided Access enabled in Safari

Controlling Available Features During Guided Access

Guided Access allows you to control specific hardware buttons and screen features. Here’s how to customize these options:

1. Triple-click the Home button to access the Guided Access options.
2. Enter your Guided Access passcode (or use Touch ID/Face ID if enabled).
3. Tap Options at the bottom of the screen. If you don’t see “Options,” triple-click the Home button again and enter your passcode.
4. Toggle the desired features on or off, then tap Done.

Available Options include:

• Sleep/Wake Button: Disable the power button.

• Volume Buttons: Disable the volume controls.

• Motion: Limit the device’s response to motion, such as shaking or rotation.

• Keyboards: Disable the keyboard from appearing.

• Touch: Disable screen touches altogether.

• Dictionary Lookup: Enable or disable the Look Up feature when selecting text.

• Time Limit: Set a time limit for the Guided Access session. The device will automatically exit Guided Access after the specified time.

Ending a Guided Access Session

To exit Guided Access mode:

1. Triple-click the Home button.
2. Enter your Guided Access passcode, or use Touch ID/Face ID if enabled.
3. Tap End in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Your iPhone 8 Plus will now return to normal operation.

Troubleshooting Guided Access

If you encounter issues with Guided Access, consider the following:

• Forgot Passcode: If you forget your Guided Access passcode, you may need to restore your iPhone to factory settings.
• Guided Access Not Starting: Make sure Guided Access is enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
• Touchscreen Issues: If the touchscreen is unresponsive, try restarting your iPhone.

Guided Access is a valuable accessibility feature that can greatly enhance the usability of your iPhone 8 Plus in various situations. By understanding how to set it up and customize its options, you can make the most of this feature.