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How to Use and Exit Guided Access on iPhone

Guided Access keeps an iPhone in one app with optional touch, button, keyboard, motion, and time restrictions. Here’s how to start, pause, and end a session.
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Guided Access temporarily keeps an iPhone in one app. Turn it on in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access, start a session from the app you want to lock in, and end it by invoking the button shortcut, authenticating, and tapping End. While a session is active, Crash Detection and Emergency Services aren’t available.

Set up Guided Access

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access, then turn on Guided Access. Apple’s instructions are in its iPhone User Guide.

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  2. Open Passcode Settings. Set a Guided Access passcode, or enable Face ID on a Face ID iPhone or Touch ID on another supported iPhone model as an authentication option. You can also choose a sound or spoken announcement for a time limit and adjust Display Auto-Lock.

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Start a session and choose restrictions

  1. Open the app you want to keep available. Start Guided Access using the Accessibility Shortcut: triple-click the side button on an iPhone with Face ID, or the Home button on an iPhone with a Home button. If the Accessibility Shortcuts panel appears, tap Guided Access. Apple also lists Siri and Control Center as ways to start it; Control Center works when Guided Access has been added there.

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  2. On the setup screen, circle any areas of the display that should not respond to touch. Open Session Settings or Options to choose which controls are available. Depending on the app and iPhone, settings can include the side or Home button, volume buttons, Motion, Software Keyboards, Touch, and a Time Limit.

  3. Tap Start. If you changed options, the screen may show Done before you start the session.

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Safety: Apple warns that Crash Detection and Emergency Services aren’t available while Guided Access is active. End the session before using those features or making an emergency call.

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Pause, resume, or end Guided Access

  1. Triple-click the side button on an iPhone with Face ID, or the Home button on an iPhone with a Home button. If the Accessibility Shortcuts panel opens, choose Guided Access.

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  2. Enter your Guided Access passcode or authenticate with enabled Face ID or Touch ID.

  3. Tap Resume to continue the session, or End to leave Guided Access and return to normal use.

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Button shortcuts and iOS version differences

Use the button your iPhone has: the side button on Face ID models, or the Home button on models with a Home button. Apple’s current instructions use a triple-click to start, pause, or end Guided Access. Apple’s support overview says that on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or earlier, double-click the relevant button to pause or end. Screen labels and shortcut behavior can vary by software version.

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If the shortcut or Control Center route doesn’t work

  • If a shortcuts panel appears instead of the Guided Access screen, tap Guided Access in the panel.

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    • Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
  • If Guided Access is not in Control Center, use the Accessibility Shortcut or Siri; the Control Center route is available when you have added Guided Access there.

  • If authentication is requested, use the Guided Access passcode or the Face ID or Touch ID option you enabled in Passcode Settings.

What Guided Access can restrict

Guided Access is intended to temporarily restrict iPhone to a single app. Depending on the session settings, you can block touch across the screen or in selected areas, limit hardware buttons, disable the software keyboard or motion, and set a time limit. These controls let you tailor a session for someone using the phone or for a focused task without installing a separate app.

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Quick Recap

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$300.00
Bestseller No. 3
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
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Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU; Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
$409.00
Bestseller No. 4
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.; Product may come in generic Box.
$262.00

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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