Privacy and security
Allow Access When Locked
Most people call this what a stranger can do without unlocking.
A list of switches decides what is reachable from a locked iPhone, including Control Centre, the notification centre, Siri, the wallet and reply from notifications.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 13 and later
- Settings
- Face ID & Passcode
- Allow Access When Locked
What it does
Every switch here trades convenience against what someone holding your locked phone can see or do. Control Centre, for example, lets anyone enable Aeroplane Mode, which can interfere with Find My.
What changes
When it is on
The listed feature works from the Lock Screen.
When it is off
The feature requires unlocking first.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Replying to a message without unlocking is genuinely convenient.
- Control Centre from the Lock Screen is quick for torch and camera.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Control Centre lets a thief switch on Aeroplane Mode.
- Siri can read information aloud from a locked phone.
- Reply with Message lets someone answer as you.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
Helps
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Most items are allowed by default.
Worth reading first
Where this setting used to live
Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.
-
iOS 13 and later
Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked
-
iOS 13 and later
Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked
Questions people actually ask
- How do I stop someone using Control Centre on my locked iPhone?
- In Face ID and Passcode, scroll to Allow Access When Locked and turn off Control Centre.
- Can someone read my messages without unlocking?
- It depends on your notification preview setting and these switches. Set previews to When Unlocked.
If it is not working
- Turning off Control Centre when locked is the single most useful change for theft.
- Turning off Return Missed Calls and Reply with Message prevents impersonation.
- Notification Centre when locked controls whether old notifications can be scrolled through.