iOS 6 Tip: Lock children out of exiting an app on iPad / iPhone

Being a iPad/iPhone developer, I am often asked these questions: “How do you stop your kids from accidentally changing settings on your iPad” or “How can I use an iPad exclusively for AAC?” and even “My child left the game they were playing and somehow deleted some apps!”.

Well, with iOS 6, the latest version of Apple’s operating system for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, there’s a great solution to solve these issues called Guided Access.

Once activating Guided Access, you can lock any app open (the home button doesn’t exit the app) so your child cannot change anything while using it independently. If you wish to exit the app, you tap the home button three times and enter a passcode. It’s really that simple! This is such a great feature when you want your children to use an app solo and unattended. (And SpeechBox takes it a step further and has a Parental Lock feature so all in-app buttons are disabled while a child is using it!)

I came across a great video that demonstrates how to activate it. I hope you find this useful!