Guided Access

Guided Access is an accessibility feature introduced in iOS 6 that restricts user interactions within an app.

When a Guided Access session is started, the user is unable to close the app until the session is ended (either by entering a passcode or authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID).

→ nshipster.com/guided-access/

Guided Access, introduced in iOS 6, is an accessibility feature that locks an iOS app to prevent unintended exits, configurable to disable specific screen regions, hardware buttons, motion, keyboards, touch, or set time limits, activated via triple-clicking the Home/Side button or Siri.

It serves multiple use cases: "Kid-Proof Mode" for safe device sharing with children, "Adult-Proof Mode" to prevent accidental actions, "Crowd-Proof Mode" for kiosk setups, and "You-Proof Mode" to minimise distractions or align with app-specific gestures.

Developers can check its status using UIAccessibility.isGuidedAccessEnabled and monitor changes with UIAccessibility.guidedAccessStatusDidChangeNotification via NotificationCenter.

Custom restrictions, like disabling purchases, are implemented by adopting UIGuidedAccessRestrictionDelegate in the AppDelegate, defining restrictions with unique identifiers, and updating UI elements like buttons in response to restriction state changes.

iOS 12.2 enhances Guided Access for managed devices with APIs like requestGuidedAccessSession(enabled:completion:), though some details remain undocumented. Swift’s type safety and clear syntax streamline these integrations, ensuring accessibility compliance, while the article emphasises that Guided Access benefits all users, not just those with disabilities, enhancing app usability in diverse scenarios.