With the release of iOS 17, Apple has introduced a new privacy feature that allows you to lock your private tabs in Safari using Face ID or a passcode. This feature provides an additional layer of security, ensuring that your private browsing remains truly private. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to enable and use this feature on your iPhone.
Enabling Locked Private Browsing in Safari
Before you can lock your private tabs with Face ID, make sure that your iPhone is running the latest iOS 17 update. If you haven’t updated your device, you can do so by following our iOS 17 developer beta installation guide.
Once your iPhone is updated, follow these steps to enable the Locked Private Browsing feature in Safari:
1.Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2.Scroll down and tap on “Safari.”
3.Under the “Privacy & Security” section, you will find the option “Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing.” Toggle this option to enable it.
4.If you haven’t set up Face ID on your iPhone, you will see an alternative option: “Require Passcode to Unlock Private Browsing.” This option allows you to use a passcode instead of Face ID to unlock private browsing. If you prefer to use Face ID, you should set it up before proceeding.
5.Once you have enabled the “Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing” feature, your Safari private tabs will be locked and can only be accessed using Face ID or the passcode you have set.
Unlocking Safari Private Tabs with Face ID
Now that you have enabled the Locked Private Browsing feature, here’s how you can unlock your Safari private tabs using Face ID:
1.Open the Safari app on your iPhone.
2.Tap on the “Private” button located at the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will open the Private Browsing mode.
3.You will see a screen indicating that Private Browsing is locked.
4.Tap on the “Unlock” option.
5.Your iPhone will now prompt you to authenticate with Face ID. The Face ID scanner will appear on the screen.
6.Once your face is successfully recognized, you can continue browsing your private tabs or open new private tabs in Safari.
7.When your iPhone’s display turns off, the Face ID for Private Browsing feature will automatically lock your private tabs again. To access them, you will need to unlock them using Face ID or the passcode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I lock private tabs on my iPhone?
A: Yes, with iOS 17, you can now lock private tabs on your iPhone using Face ID or a passcode.
Q: Is Face ID for Safari private browsing supported on my iPhone?
A: If your iPhone is compatible with iOS 17, it will support Face ID for Safari private browsing. All iPhone models from the iPhone XR and newer are compatible with the latest iOS 17.
Q: How to lock private tabs in Safari?
A: To lock Safari private tabs, go to Settings, then tap on Safari. From there, enable the “Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing” option.
Q: How can I set a passcode for private browsing on iPhones?
A: If you prefer to use a passcode instead of Face ID to unlock private browsing, go to Settings, tap on Safari, and enable the “Require Passcode to Unlock Private Browsing” option. If you have set up Face ID, you will see the option to require Face ID instead of a passcode.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your Safari private tabs remain secure and protected from unauthorized access. Whether you prefer using Face ID or a passcode, iOS 17 offers a convenient way to enhance your browsing privacy on your iPhone.
