Apple Safari can now lock your private tabs with Face ID Here’s how to use it

September 19, 2023

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Apple Safari can now lock your private tabs with Face ID Here’s how to use it

Safari users on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 can now lock their private tabs using Face ID or Touch ID. If you want to offer someone your phone or tablet but don’t want them to see which tabs are open, this option is useful.

Apple released the iOS 17 update yesterday, which includes a slew of new features such as Contact Posters, NameDrop, and Standby mode, to mention a few. The latest iOS and iPadOS versions also include a new privacy-enhancing feature that allows Safari users to lock their private tabs using FaceID.

Apple appears to have somewhat updated the ‘Private Browsing’ section, which can now be reached by swiping from the Tabs screen, with locked tabs now displaying a warning that states ‘Private Browsing is Locked’.

How can I use Face ID to lock Safari Private tabs?

When you use Safari for the first time after updating to iOS 17, a popup will appear that allows you to instantly lock private tabs behind Face ID security.

In case you missed out, open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone or iPad and enable the ‘Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing’ toggle under ‘Safari’.

Once activated, Safari will prompt you to unlock these tabs using Face ID or Touch ID even if your device is already unlocked, allowing you to share your phone or tablet to others without worrying about them seeing your private tabs.

Keep in mind that when you close Safari, exit Private Browsing mode, or lock your device, Private Browsing will automatically lock your tabs.

Aside from locking private tabs, Safari includes a number of privacy-enhancing features such as improved tracking and fingerprinting protection, enhanced extension control, which automatically disables all extensions with website access, and an option to hide IP address.

If you don’t use Safari on your iPhone or iPad, Chrome for iOS already includes a feature that allows you to lock Incognito tabs behind Face ID or Touch ID.