Your iPhone can be used while it’s locked – 9 features that still work

IS your iPhone completely inaccessible when it’s locked?

Not quite.

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While the sensitive stuff is very much protected by Face ID and passcode, some features are still active.

There are nine in total.

Thankfully you can switch most of them off if you like.

So, which features can be used when your iPhone is locked?

Today View and Search

The Today View is the screen that appears when you swipe from left to right on the lock screen.

It shows things like calendar, weather, select photos and news.

Notification Centre

Any notifications you’ve received are exposed on the lock screen which appears when sliding down from the middle your display.

While they give app details away, the contents of the notification are kept secret.

Control Centre

The control centre houses everything from WiFi and Bluetooth controls, to the media player.

So people could switch off your connection or start blasting music out from here if they wanted.

Lock Screen Widgets

The lock screen widgets are brand new to iPhone in iOS 16.

You have to install and select them yourself before they appear, such as WhatsApp and Gmail.

Siri

Digital voice assistant Siri will still answer you even when the iPhone is locked.

However, it won’t do a great deal until you unlock the device.

Home Control

If you have smart home products, you can access controls to them on the lock screen.

So someone could meddle with your lights and other connected stuff.

Wallet

You can also view bank cards stored in your iPhone wallet from the lock screen – though it never gives any sensitive details away anyway.

Moreover, this one is switched off by default.

Return Missed Calls

Missed calls are listed on the lock screen.

It allows you to ring the person back.

Camera

You can press and hold the camera icon on the lock screen and the app will open.

This allows anyone to take snaps but they can’t go in and view them or others you’ve taken after.

How to change what’s on my iPhone lock screen

To change what appears on your iPhone lock screen, open Settings first of all.

Find Face ID & Passcode – you’ll need to enter your passcode to proceed.

Then, scroll down to the bit titled, “Allow access when locked”.

You can tick and untick as you see fit.

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