Are there any apps you can't lock behind Face ID?

[SW3029]

Like can you even lock the Settings app behind Face ID?

 

[addamas]

I have noticed only these two:
Shortcuts and Settings

Edit: also Apple Watch app could not be protected by FaceID

+ Camera app
Edited

 

[russell_314]

I have noticed only these two:
Shortcuts and Settings

Edit: also Apple Watch app could not be protected by FaceID

+ Camera app
+ Feedback app

Settings would be the app I’d want locked behind Face ID. I’m surprised Apple overlooked that.

 

[mblm85]

Until they give us the option to lock Settings down, you can use "Content and Privacy Restrictions" within Screen Time to lock down certain options within Settings. Bit of a pain though.

 

[mblm85]

You can also set a Shortcuts automation to bring up the lock screen to force Face ID or Touch ID when entering an app, including Settings (but can't be used on the Shortcuts app itself)

 

[iStorm]

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are another one. The Shortcuts automation trick don't work for these either.

 

[BaggieBoy]

Contacts and Calc don't appear to support locking.

 

[BaggieBoy]

+ Feedback app

Seems to be lockable currently.

 

[Shirasaki]

So once again, we have a seemingly Amazing feature that can greatly protect our device safety, only to realise what truly matters, doesn’t support that “amazing new feature”. Who knows what’s the reason behind the omission, but here we go.

Arguably though, not locking settings behind probably have something to do with Face ID setup itself. So let’s say settings app is locked behind, but Face ID can’t scan past that, you are forced to DFU to get out cause normal reset procedure won’t work because of the Face ID thing.

 

[addamas]

Seems to be lockable currently.

Ah yeah, I am dumb - looked over shortcut to open Feedback not app itself. Good catch!

 

[iStorm]

So once again, we have a seemingly Amazing feature that can greatly protect our device safety, only to realise what truly matters, doesn’t support that “amazing new feature”. Who knows what’s the reason behind the omission, but here we go.

Arguably though, not locking settings behind probably have something to do with Face ID setup itself. So let’s say settings app is locked behind, but Face ID can’t scan past that, you are forced to DFU to get out cause normal reset procedure won’t work because of the Face ID thing.

If Face ID fails, one can always use their passcode instead to get into the hidden apps. If they have Stolen Device Protection (SDP) required all the time and Face ID isn't working, then they're pretty much screwed and would need to do a DFU restore anyway (since other things locked behind Face ID, including turning off SDP, wouldn't work). I suppose by not locking Settings, it would give them a chance to initiate an iCloud backup first.

When Face ID fails and...

• SDP is off
  • Use passcode to get into hidden apps
• SDP is on for Unfamiliar Locations
  • Use passcode when in familiar locations
• SDP is on Always
  • DFU restore (would be unable to reset/fix Face ID or turn off SDP anyway)