How to lock a phone or tablet to one game: App pinning on Android, Guided Access on iPhone

Every parent who has handed a phone to a toddler knows what happens next: a few taps later they are in your email, your photos, the camera or a shopping app. Both Android and iPhone have a built-in feature that keeps the device locked to one app until you unlock it with your PIN. It takes a minute to set up once, and a few seconds each time after that.

Android: App pinning

App pinning (called screen pinning on older versions) keeps the current app on screen and blocks the home screen, notifications and other apps.

Turn it on (once)

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Security or Security & privacy. On many phones, App pinning is under More security settings or Advanced. On Samsung phones, look under Security and privacy, then More security settings, then Pin app.
3. Turn on App pinning.
4. Turn on Ask for PIN before unpinning (it may say “Lock device when unpinning”). Without this, anyone can unpin with a button combination.

If you cannot find it, search Settings for “pin”.

Pin the game (each time)

1. Open the game.
2. Open Overview: swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold, or tap the square button if your phone has three navigation buttons.
3. Tap the app icon at the top of the game’s card, then tap Pin.

Unpin it

• Gesture navigation: swipe up and hold.
• Three-button navigation: touch and hold Back and Overview together.

Then enter your PIN, pattern or password.

iPhone and iPad: Guided Access

Guided Access does the same job on Apple devices, with two useful extras: you can disable parts of the screen and set a time limit.

Turn it on (once)

1. Open Settings, then Accessibility, then Guided Access, and turn it on.
2. Tap Passcode Settings, then Set Guided Access Passcode, and choose a code your child does not know. You can also allow Face ID or Touch ID to end a session.

Start a session (each time)

1. Open the game.
2. Triple-click the side button (on iPhones with Face ID) or the Home button.
3. Optionally, circle areas of the screen to disable them, such as a menu or a shop button, or tap Options to set a time limit.
4. Tap Start.

End a session

Triple-click the side or Home button again, enter the Guided Access passcode, and tap End.

Tips that make it work better

• Pick a game that does not need the internet. If a game stalls without WiFi or shows an ad that opens a store page, pinning keeps your child stuck on a broken screen. Games that work in airplane mode are the best partner for pinning, and airplane mode also stops notifications and calls interrupting.
• Use the time limit in Guided Access, or a timer on your own watch, so the end of the session is predictable. See how to end screen time without a fight.
• Turn the volume down first. Volume buttons usually still work during pinning, so set it before you hand the phone over, or disable the hardware buttons in Guided Access options.
• Pin, then hand it over. Starting the session yourself avoids a tug of war over the phone.

When to use pinning, and when to use something else

App pinning and Guided Access are designed for lending your own phone for a short time: in a waiting room, a restaurant or the car. For a phone or tablet that belongs to your child, set up Google Family Link as well, which handles downloads, purchases and daily limits.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stop my child leaving a game on Android?

Turn on App pinning in Settings (usually under Security, then More security settings), and switch on “Ask for PIN before unpinning”. Then open the game, open the Overview screen, tap the game’s icon at the top of its card and choose Pin. The phone stays on that app until you unpin it with your PIN.

How do I lock an iPhone or iPad to one app for a child?

Use Guided Access. Turn it on in Settings, Accessibility, Guided Access, and set a passcode. Open the app, triple-click the side or Home button, and tap Start. Triple-click again and enter the passcode to end the session.

Can my child still get notifications or calls while an app is pinned?

On Android, notifications are hidden while an app is pinned, but calls may still come through depending on the phone. Switching on airplane mode or Do Not Disturb before you pin stops interruptions, as long as the game works offline.

Does App pinning work with any game?

Yes, it works with any app. It works best with games that run offline and have no ads or store links, so your child cannot end up stuck on a loading screen or an ad.