Works for Thread whether or not it has its own passcode. No download needed.
Touch and hold Thread's icon, tap Require Face ID, then confirm. On iOS 18 and later that puts Thread behind Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode; choose Hide and Require Face ID instead to move it into App Library's Hidden folder as well.
Lock Thread with Face ID
- Find Thread on your Home Screen or in App Library.
- Touch and hold the icon until the quick-actions menu opens.
- Tap Require Face ID (or Require Touch ID / Require Passcode, depending on your iPhone).
- Tap Require Face ID again to confirm. Thread now asks for authentication every time it opens.
To test it, close Thread from the App Switcher and open it again. You should see the Face ID prompt before any content appears.
Hide Thread in App Library
- Touch and hold Thread's icon and tap Require Face ID.
- Choose Hide and Require Face ID instead of Require Face ID.
- Confirm. The icon leaves your Home Screen and moves to the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library.
- To open it later, swipe to App Library, tap Hidden and authenticate.
Hiding also locks the app. To undo either, touch and hold the icon again and choose Don't Require Face ID.
Why lock Thread?
Thread's privacy label lists location — the kind of data you would not want on screen if someone borrows your unlocked phone. Banking apps must collect identity and financial data to work; that is expected. Tracking declarations and third-party advertising SDKs are what to compare.
Finance apps need identity and financial data to function. Expect Contact Info and Financial Info; compare apps on tracking and third-party advertising instead.
A lock answers one question — who can open the app on this iPhone. It does not change what Thread sends to its developer; for that, see Thread's full privacy report.
What the lock does and does not do
It does
- Ask for Face ID, Touch ID or passcode every time Thread opens
- Hide message previews in notifications
- Keep Thread's content out of Spotlight and Siri suggestions
- With Hide, remove the icon from the Home Screen
It does not
- Stop someone who knows your passcode
- Encrypt or change how Thread stores data
- Sync to your iPad or other devices
- Remove Thread from purchase history or Screen Time reports
Don't see Require Face ID?
- Update to iOS 18 or later in Settings › General › Software Update.
- Make sure a passcode is set in Settings › Face ID & Passcode; the lock needs one.
- Some Apple apps (Settings, Calculator, Camera, Maps, Find My, Clock) cannot be locked or hidden.
- If your iPhone is managed by work or school, the option may be restricted.
Other settings worth checking for Thread
Tracking
Settings › Privacy & Security › Tracking. If “Allow Apps to Request to Track” is off, apps cannot ask, and they are told to treat you as having declined. You can also turn it off for this app alone.
Location
Settings › Privacy & Security › Location Services › Thread. Choose While Using or Never, and switch off Precise Location if a city-level answer is enough.
Notifications
Settings › Notifications › Thread › Show Previews: When Unlocked keeps message and account details off the Lock Screen.
Thread's full privacy label
None declared
None declared
Lock these apps too
After you lock Thread
Done. You have applied every control the label points to.
FAQ
Does Thread have its own passcode?
What happens to Thread's notifications when it is locked?
Can someone who knows my passcode open a locked app?
Is a locked Thread encrypted?
Why can't I see the Require Face ID option?
Does hiding Thread remove it from my purchase history?
Is Thread safe? Full privacy report →Does Thread track you? →Lock an app: A–Z →All finance apps →