How to Set Up iPhone Widget Stack on Home Screen

Guided Access can lock an iPhone to one app so the screen stays in a single app mode on iPhone until a passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID ends the session. Turn on Guided Access in Accessibility settings, open the app to keep active, then start Guided Access with the Side button or Home button shortcut.

Steps

1. Open Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access, then turn on Guided Access. Set a Passcode Settings option and enable Face ID or Touch ID if available.
2. Open the app that needs to stay active. Guided Access works by locking one app in place after the session starts.
3. Triple-click the Side button on Face ID models, or triple-click the Home button on models with a Home button. The Guided Access setup screen will appear.
4. Adjust session options if needed. Tap Options to disable side buttons, keyboard, touch, motion, volume buttons, or time limits. Circle parts of the screen to block specific areas in supported iOS versions.
5. Tap Start to enable guided access. To exit, triple-click the same button again, authenticate, then tap End.

Common Issues and Fixes

• Triple-click does nothing — Accessibility Shortcut may not include Guided Access. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut, then select Guided Access.
• Guided Access will not start — Screen Time restrictions or incomplete setup may block activation. Confirm Guided Access is enabled and a passcode is set.
• Cannot exit Guided Access — Passcode may be forgotten or Face ID may fail. Force restart the iPhone, then try again; some sessions may still require the Guided Access passcode.
• Buttons still work inside the app — Session options were not changed before starting. End the session, reopen Options, and disable needed controls.
• Touch is blocked everywhere — Touch may have been disabled in Options. Triple-click to end the session, then restart with Touch enabled.

Quick Tips

• Guided access is useful for kids, kiosks, reading, video playback, and preventing accidental app switching.
• Single app mode on iPhone through Guided Access is different from corporate device management. Guided Access is temporary and local to the device.
• Incoming calls, alarms, and emergency features may behave differently depending on iPhone model and current settings.
• Low Power Mode, app crashes, or a restart can interrupt a lock app session and return the device to normal access.

Related Questions

Is Guided Access the same as Screen Time app limits?

No. Screen Time limits app usage by time, while guided access locks the iPhone into one app during an active session.

Can Guided Access block part of the screen?

Yes. Some iPhone models and iOS versions allow selected screen areas to be disabled before tapping Start, which helps block ads, menus, or accidental taps.