How to disable camera from iPhone Lock Screen in iOS 17

how to remove camera from lock screen on iphone

Swiping left on your iPhone’s Lock Screen opens the camera. This quick access feature is usually handy, but it can also be annoying. For instance, since the Camera app opens without needing to unlock your iPhone, anyone can access it. So you might want to disable the camera from your iPhone Lock Screen. There’s a simple way to do this; just follow the steps outlined below.

Use Screen Time to disable camera access from iPhone Lock Screen

  1. Go to the Settings app → Scroll down and tap Screen Time.
    • If it is your first time using Screen Time, you will see a summary of the feature. Now, tap on Continue. You will be asked if the iPhone belongs to you or your children. Select the appropriate option.
  2. Scroll down and select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  3. Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  4. Then navigate to Allowed Apps → Toggle off Camera.

    Toggle off Camera from iPhone's Settings app

That’s it. Now, when you lock your screen and swipe left, the Camera app will no longer open. In fact, the Camera icon will get blurred out.

Note: When you use Screen Time to turn off camera access from your iPhone Lock Screen, the Camera app is also removed from the Home Screen. So you will no longer be able to use the app at all. But not to worry, there are many other excellent camera apps you can try.

Summing Up!

Do you prefer to access the camera from your Lock Screen to capture photos in a jiffy? Or will you remove it to prevent unauthorized or accidental use? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

You might want to refer to these posts as well:

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7 comments

  1. These third party apps will not work if you switch off the camera app as you’ve described (I tried two myself). Unless you can recommend an iphone camera app that doesn’t need the original camera app.? It’s extremely annoying that you can’t just remove it from the lock screen…

  2. This is a rather stupid solution… I just want camera access from the lock screen removed, NOT the entire camera app removed!

  3. Hello,

    Unfortunately, that’s the only solution/workaround right now. For whatever reason, Apple doesn’t offer a ‘disable’ option. The only good thing is that no one can access your photo library, edit or share the photos; they’ll need to unlock the device for that.

  4. This has got to be the stupidest solution I’ve ever seen.
    I’m asking how to keep my camera from working ON THE LOCK SCREEN. You literally just told me how to turn it off ALTOGETHER. And then casually say “just go download another camera app.”

  5. The said limitations have been clearly mentioned in the article; there was no intent to cover it up. Even we hope Apple incorporates such a setting in the upcoming updates. Keeping our fingers crossed.

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