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The iPhone needs passcode protection on an app-by-app basis

K

kinkster

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 15, 2008
534
0
I think it would be good if the iPhone had better privacy features so no one would have to worry when their friend asks to play around with it for a couple minutes, a question probably any iphone user has encountered a couple times. Here's a couple examples of how it could be useful:

1. I was just looking to get the app PokéDia, which I would use to jot down any thoughts/ideas I had through the day. But some of them, while not being private per se, might be a little bit strange to have someone else reading over.

2. Exercise logs/calorie counters. Again, not really private but a bit awkward for someone to tap into the app expecting your typical fart-level-entertainment app and then read about everything you ate that day/how much weight your trying to lose.

3. Mail. Could be useful for business men who don't want to have their iPhone ask them for a passcode every five minutes, but do want to keep sensitive emails on their phone without worrying. Same could be true for sensitive documents and the apps available that can edit them.

I think it should be an optional feature the developer could add, and it could just show up in the apps preferences.
 
I completely agree.

Nothing like a curious mate sifting through the messages app :rolleyes:
 
labman said:
with you problem solved! ;)
Click to expand...


Well if you tell someone they can't have a look at your iphone they'll pretty certainly give you some weird looks and assume you have a hooters app or something.

And oh well if they already can I wish more would implement it.
 
labman said:
with you problem solved! ;)
Click to expand...

This is failed logic in a weird way. Since my phone has a number of games the chances of someone wanting to play with it are high. I certainly would not mind if I didn't have to keep my eye on them for various reasons. Therefore, a password to get into mail and texts would be nice. The developer can add these but in this case that falls under Apple's jurisdiction.

It would be a nice feature that could be turned on and off easily (like passcode lock). There are many little features that Apple should add that I am certain we won't see anytime soon.
 
If you are willing to jailbreak, there is an app on Cydia called mAdvLock that offers precisely this functionality, and is great. You can set individual apps to be password locked, and the phone still be functional. I use it, and I set my SMS, email, and photos to be password locked, yet I don't have to use the "global" lock on the phone (where you have to enter the password just to get past the lockscreen). This way someone can pick up my phone and use most of the functions on the phone, but I can still keep sensitive data private. Plus...I don't have to enter my password at the lockscreen just to change songs/artists when using the iPod portion! That is so irritating. And I agree, this functionality SHOULD be offered on the iPhone by default.
 
kinkster said:
I think it would be good if the iPhone had better privacy features so no one would have to worry when their friend asks to play around with it for a couple minutes, a question probably any iphone user has encountered a couple times. Here's a couple examples of how it could be useful:

1. I was just looking to get the app PokéDia, which I would use to jot down any thoughts/ideas I had through the day. But some of them, while not being private per se, might be a little bit strange to have someone else reading over.

2. Exercise logs/calorie counters. Again, not really private but a bit awkward for someone to tap into the app expecting your typical fart-level-entertainment app and then read about everything you ate that day/how much weight your trying to lose.

3. Mail. Could be useful for business men who don't want to have their iPhone ask them for a passcode every five minutes, but do want to keep sensitive emails on their phone without worrying. Same could be true for sensitive documents and the apps available that can edit them.

I think it should be an optional feature the developer could add, and it could just show up in the apps preferences.
Click to expand...

Isnt that called "Notes" that comes with the phone as a default app?
 
chris975d said:
If you are willing to jailbreak, there is an app on Cydia called mAdvLock that offers precisely this functionality, and is great. You can set individual apps to be password locked, and the phone still be functional. I use it, and I set my SMS, email, and photos to be password locked, yet I don't have to use the "global" lock on the phone (where you have to enter the password just to get past the lockscreen). This way someone can pick up my phone and use most of the functions on the phone, but I can still keep sensitive data private. Plus...I don't have to enter my password at the lockscreen just to change songs/artists when using the iPod portion! That is so irritating. And I agree, this functionality SHOULD be offered on the iPhone by default.
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks for the tip!

EDIT** That App is $15.00 after a 7 day trial. Screw that!
 
Vegastouch said:
Isnt that called "Notes" that comes with the phone as a default app?
Click to expand...


Like notes, but you automatically have a note made for each day and you can swipe between them or view them all at once in a condensed, scrollable view. Also supports check box squares so you can use it as a todo app.

Pretty nifty, I think I might use it in conjuction with mAdvLock..if I can find a cracked version of the latter.
 
Yeah, I guess this would be a good idea. Lots of 3rd party apps do it, but a passcode lock on messages or mail would be a good idea.
 
Another one in Cydia is called "Lockdown". It works great and is free, but it always crashes Springboard on the first startup.
 
Apple should implement a guest user feature in the OS. You simply tick off apps you don't want guests to see. Problem solved.
 
I wish Apple

would let us have folders like categories in Cydia does and that we could have a private locked folder this would be the nicest way. I have only been unjailbroken a day and I already miss it. :rolleyes:
 
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