App Lock vs Screen Time: Which Should You Use?

Both Screen Time and a privacy-focused app lock can keep someone out of an app, but they're built for different goals. Screen Time manages usage; an app lock protects privacy.

What Screen Time is good at

Apple's Screen Time is designed for digital wellbeing — daily limits, downtime and content restrictions. It's excellent for managing how much time you or your child spend in apps.

Where a dedicated app lock wins

• Blocks apps behind Face ID, not just a 4-digit Screen Time passcode.
• Pairs with hiding apps entirely from the Home Screen.
• Lives behind a calculator disguise, so the lock tool itself is hidden.

The bottom line

Use Screen Time for time management and a tool like LockApps for privacy. The good news: LockApps is built on the same Apple framework, so you get both — see how to lock apps and parental controls.