Guided Access is essential to safeguard your privacy and prevent unintended actions when others use your device. Therefore, it’s frustrating if the Guided Access triple-click isn’t working to start or stop the feature and only turns the screen off. Or, even when Guided Access is on, it still allows access to other content. Let’s discuss ways to fix Guided access not working on iPhone or iPad.
- Enable Guided Access on iPhone
- Ensure the Accessibility Shortcut for Guided Access is enabled
- Check your Guided Access settings
- Make sure the buttons are working
- Reset Guided Access on iPhone
- Use Siri on your iPhone or iPad
- Try a different app
- Check your Screen Time settings on iPhone
1. Enable Guided Access on iPhone
Guided Access isn’t enabled by default, so you must turn it on from settings. Besides, if you’ve used Guided Access on your device before, but now it is not turning on, you may have unknowingly deactivated it. Follow the steps below to enable it:
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access.
- Toggle on Guided Access.
2. Ensure the Accessibility Shortcut for Guided Access is enabled
Enabling the Accessibility shortcut provides a reliable option to activate Guided Access whenever needed. Typically, the triple-click function is set to activate Guided Access. But if it’s not working, you can follow the steps below:
- Launch Settings.
- Tap Accessibility → Scroll down and select Accessibility Shortcut.
You’ll be able to see this option only if Guided Access is enabled, as shown above. - Ensure Guided Access is selected.
3. Check your Guided Access settings
Before assuming something is wrong with the feature, check its settings. If you can still trigger the feature using your Home or Side button, do so. Then tap Options on the lower left side to review your settings.
- For example, if Software Keyboards is toggled on, users can type anything using the keyboard while Guided Access is enabled.
- Similarly, Touch lets people explore the contents within the opened app when enabled.
- Toggle off the Time Limit to prevent the Guided Access session from ending automatically.
Learn more about the different features of Guided Access on your iPhone or iPad to use it more easily.
4. Make sure the buttons are working
By default, your device assigns the triple-click shortcut to start Guided Access. If that’s not working, it might be because the button isn’t appropriately triple-clicked.
Take a moment to inspect the buttons on your iPhone or iPad to ensure they’re not damaged. If you feel any resistance or irregularities, you may need to get the button repaired or replaced. Also, remove your device’s case to check whether it’s getting in the way of the buttons.
5. Reset Guided Access on iPhone
If you’ve been using Guided Access, a random glitch may be the culprit, especially if the triple-click shortcut randomly stops working. Just reset the feature by turning it off and on.
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access.
- Toggle off Guided Access.
- Force quit Settings.
You may also restart your iPhone. - Re-enable Guided Access.
Once done, open your desired app and triple-click your Side or Home button as usual. Guided Access should launch a session without issue.
6. Use Siri on your iPhone or iPad
If the triple-click shortcut is not working and you can’t launch Guided Access, try using Siri.
- Enable Siri on your iPhone or iPad.
- Launch your desired app.
- Say, “Hey Siri, turn on Guided Access.”
7. Try a different app
Remember that Guided Access isn’t compatible with every app out there. It also doesn’t work on your Home Screen or within the Settings menu. So, if you try to triple-click in these areas, it won’t kick off a Guided Access session.
Therefore, open any other app on your iPhone and start a session to confirm the feature works fine.
8. Check your Screen Time settings on iPhone
If you’re using Screen Time, it’s possible that Guided Access won’t work with apps or websites that you’ve set daily app limits. The app may fall under a category you’ve restricted.
- Go to Settings → Screen Time → App Limits.
- Select the All App & Categories.
- Tap Delete Limit.
Basic fixes
- Force Restart your device: If none of the above methods worked, try force restarting your iPhone or iPad. It can solve most simple technical issues caused by insufficient RAM, glitches, and bugs.
- Update your OS: iOS updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements. So, check if your device has an available update. Head to Settings → General → Software Update. Also, if you using the Beta iOS version, try shifting to the stable one.
- Reset All Settings: Resorting to a device reset should be your final attempt to get Guided Access functioning. A factory reset can help if misconfigurations affect your device’s Home or Side button.
FAQs
Be sure to enable Face ID or Touch ID by going to Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access → Passcode Settings → Toggle on Face/Touch ID. Then, instead of triple-clicking the Home or Side button, double-click to turn off Guided Access using your Face or Touch ID.
If you’ve forgotten your passcode to disable Guided Access, force restart your iPhone or iPad. Be sure to change your passcode by going to Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access → Passcode Settings → Set Guided Access Passcode. Enter your new passcode, and note it down.
Wrapping up…
Guided Access can be beneficial, though it’s not immune to the occasional glitch that might stop it from working as expected. You can successfully restore your Guided Access feature with the troubleshooting tips above. Which of these suggestions do the trick for you? Let us know in the comments below!
Read more:
- Best accessibility tips for iPhone users
- New iOS 17 Accessibility features: Assistive Access, Personal Voice, and Live Speech
- How to use App Privacy Report on iPhone
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