Locking an iPhone turns off access to the current screen and requires Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode to get back in. It is different from powering the phone off.
Lock the iPhone
- Press the side button once.
- Confirm the display turns off or the Lock Screen appears.
- To use the phone again, wake it and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode as required.
If the phone stays unlocked too long when you set it down, review the Auto-Lock setting under Display & Brightness and choose a shorter interval that fits how you use the device.
For stronger security, use a device passcode that other people cannot guess. Face ID or Touch ID makes routine unlocking faster, but the passcode remains an important security credential and is still required in certain situations.