Locking the YouTube screen on an iPhone can be super handy, especially if you’re letting a kiddo watch videos and you don’t want them tapping all over the place. It’s a quick process and, once you know how, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. In a nutshell, you’ll use the Guided Access feature on your iPhone to lock the screen while YouTube is playing. Ready to learn how? Let’s dive in!
Step by Step Tutorial to Lock YouTube Screen on iPhone
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s set the scene. By following these steps, you’ll be able to keep YouTube playing without worrying about accidental taps or swipes interrupting the video. It’s perfect for keeping the little ones entertained without the risk of them exiting the app or making in-app purchases.
Step 1: Enable Guided Access
Go to your iPhone’s Settings, then tap on Accessibility and find Guided Access to turn it on.
Guided Access is a feature designed to help you stay focused on a task by limiting your iPhone to a single app. Make sure you also set a passcode for Guided Access, so you can control when it starts and ends.
Step 2: Open YouTube and Start Playing a Video
Choose the YouTube video you want to play and get it going.
This step is pretty self-explanatory, but remember to pick a video that’s appropriate for the audience if you’re setting this up for someone else.
Step 3: Triple-Click the Side or Home Button
Once the video is playing, quickly press the side or home button three times to activate Guided Access.
This action is the trigger to lock your screen within the app. If you’re using an iPhone with Face ID, you’ll triple-click the side button. If your iPhone has a Home button, you’ll use that instead.
Step 4: Adjust Guided Access Settings
Draw a circle around areas you want to disable, such as the video controls, and then tap on Start at the top right.
In this step, you can disable specific areas of the screen that you don’t want to be interactive. If you want the entire screen to be non-responsive, just circle the whole screen.
Step 5: End Guided Access
To end Guided Access, triple-click the side or home button again, enter your passcode, and tap End.
When you’re ready to regain full control of your iPhone, this is how you’ll exit the locked screen mode.
After you complete these steps, you’ll have successfully locked the YouTube screen on your iPhone. The video will continue to play, but the screen won’t respond to touches. This is really useful if you’re trying to prevent accidental taps, or if you’re handing your phone to a child to watch a video and you don’t want them navigating away from the app.
Tips for Locking YouTube Screen on iPhone
- Make sure you remember the Guided Access passcode you set, as you’ll need it to unlock your screen.
- If you want to allow some screen interaction, you can circle only specific areas to disable.
- Guided Access also allows you to set a time limit, which is great for controlling screen time.
- You can use Guided Access in other apps too, not just YouTube.
- If you’re having trouble activating Guided Access, make sure you’ve triple-clicked the button quickly enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lock the screen on other apps besides YouTube?
Yes, Guided Access works with any app on your iPhone, not just YouTube.
What if I forget my Guided Access passcode?
If you forget the passcode, you’ll need to restart your iPhone. Follow the instructions provided by Apple to restart your specific iPhone model.
Can I still receive phone calls while using Guided Access?
Yes, you can receive calls and texts as usual. If you need to answer a call, Guided Access will pause, and you can resume it afterward.
Is there a way to lock the volume controls as well?
Yes, within the Guided Access settings, you can choose to disable the volume buttons.
Can I use Guided Access with Siri?
No, Siri is disabled when Guided Access is active to prevent exiting the session using voice commands.
Summary
- Enable Guided Access in your iPhone’s settings.
- Open YouTube and start playing the desired video.
- Triple-click the side or home button to activate Guided Access.
- Adjust settings and circle areas to disable, then tap Start.
- End Guided Access by triple-clicking the button again and entering your passcode.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Locking the YouTube screen on your iPhone is a breeze once you get the hang of it. Whether you’re aiming to keep your kids on a single app or just preventing accidental taps during your favorite music video, the Guided Access feature is a game-changer. It’s one of those hidden gems in iOS that can make a world of difference in how you use your device. Plus, it’s not just for YouTube – this trick works with any app, giving you peace of mind whenever you need it.
But why stop there? Explore other accessibility features on your iPhone to see how they can enhance your user experience. From customizing display settings to setting up voice control, there’s so much more your iPhone can do to suit your needs. And remember, if you have any questions or run into any issues while trying to lock the YouTube screen on your iPhone, there’s a whole community of fellow users and Apple support ready to help you out. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy uninterrupted viewing pleasure!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.