Lock Instagram with FaceID: A Simple Workaround
Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps today, with over a billion active users.
Like many social platforms, it allows you to share personal photos, videos, and information publicly or privately. Therefore, safeguarding your Instagram account should be a priority.
This guide will walk you through a simple workaround to set up and enable Face ID authentication when opening the Instagram app on iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14 or later models running iOS 16 or newer.
Download two critical shortcuts – AppDefense and AuthKit
Open Safari browser on your iPhone and go to this and this link to get the shortcuts. Tap ‘Get Shortcut' option at the bottom.
This will automatically open the Shortcuts app with the shortcuts downloaded.
Set up AppDefense shortcut.
In Shortcuts apps, select the AppDefense shortcut. Give permission when prompted. Enter Instagram when asked which app you want to protect. This sets Instagram app as the target.
Configure AuthKit shortcut.
You'll now be guided to set up the AuthKit shortcut. Tap OK to continue. Create a numeric passcode when prompted. This will allow backup login to Instagram using passcode instead of Face ID when needed.
Enable Face ID for the shortcut.
On the next screen, turn on the Face ID toggle switch. If your iPhone model supports Touch ID only, you'll get that option.
Customize user experience (optional).
You can opt to show notifications and play sound on successful login. Toggle switches for these options.
Create personal automation for trigger.
On Shortcuts app home screen, tap Automation tab at the bottom. Tap + sign on top right and select ‘Create Personal Automation'.
Set open app as trigger event.
Tap ‘Open App' option, select ‘Instagram' from app list and tap ‘Next'.
Add execution action.
Tap ‘Add Action', search for ‘Run Shortcut' and select AppDefense shortcut.
Ensure seamless running.
Switch off ‘Ask Before Running' on top right so Shortcut runs automatically when you open Instagram without requiring extra input from you.
You have now successfully set up an automation shortcut to lock Instagram app using Face ID authentication on iPhone!
Testing Face ID Lock on Instagram
To check if it works correctly, close all apps and open Instagram again. You'll see a white splash screen, following which Face ID verification interface will show up.
Authenticate using Face ID to access Instagram app. On succeeding, you'll be taken directly into Instagram app interface. If Face ID fails, input your passcode instead.
Conclusion
This guide takes you through the entire process of enabling extra security for your Instagram account on iPhone using Face ID biometrics.
Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
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