# What is Authentication?

## Quick answer

The process of checking that a person is allowed to open a protected interface or account. Face ID and passcodes are examples.

Updated: 2026-10-31

Canonical: /glossary/authentication

## Limitation

Authentication and encryption are different controls. A login screen alone says little about stored-file protection.

[Source](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/iphone/iph00f208d05/ios)

## Related terms

- [Encryption](/glossary/encryption)

- [Face ID](/glossary/face-id)

## Questions

### What does Authentication mean?

The process of checking that a person is allowed to open a protected interface or account. Face ID and passcodes are examples.

### What limitation matters?

Authentication and encryption are different controls. A login screen alone says little about stored-file protection.

## Explore

- [What is Notification preview?](/glossary/notification-preview)

- [What is Screen Time?](/glossary/screen-time)

- [What is Locked note?](/glossary/locked-note)

- [What is Hidden album?](/glossary/hidden-album)

- [What is App Library?](/glossary/app-library)

- [What is Hidden apps folder?](/glossary/hidden-apps-folder)

- [What is Face ID?](/glossary/face-id)

- [What is Device passcode?](/glossary/device-passcode)

- [What is Encryption?](/glossary/encryption)

- [What is End-to-end encryption?](/glossary/end-to-end-encryption)

- [What is iCloud Photos?](/glossary/icloud-photos)

- [What is Sharing link?](/glossary/sharing-link)

- [What is Recovery?](/glossary/recovery)

- [What is Photo metadata?](/glossary/photo-metadata)

## Private photo and document storage

For photos and documents you choose to store separately, explore [VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/).