Blocking access to the control centre on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod from the lock screen is a precaution every iOS user should take to limit device theft.
The control centre on the iPhone is a panel that offers users quick access to minor settings options such as aeroplane mode, Bluetooth, WiFi, volume, brightness, phone recorder, and so on…
However, the control centre can be accessed by anyone, whether the iPhone device is locked or unlocked.
Phone hijackers and stealers often maximise the use of the control centre to quickly turn on aeroplane mode, thereby making the phone almost untraceable till they’re done unlocking or jailbreaking.
Nevertheless, with the iPhone’s control centre blocked on the locked screen, the thieves would find it hard to initiate a reset or even sell it, thereby giving you more time to track your device.
It’s easier to track an iOS device than an Android device due to its built-in security system, but turning on aeroplane mode can further complicate the situation and, most times, make it impossible to track the culprits in real time.
Without wasting much time, let me show you how to block access to the control centre from the lock screen.
Advantages of Restricting the Control Centre from the Lock Screen
If you need a reason to turn off the control centre from your lock screen, then here are some you should consider.
- Limits unauthorised access to your device
- Reduces phone theft
- Makes device tracking easy
- Improved device security
- Eliminates data and information theft, etc.
There’s no disadvantage to turning on this feature, besides the time it might take you to unlock your device. Aside from this, you can turn off the control centre and worry less about your phone being stolen.
Alternatively, you can decide to remove the aeroplane mode from the control centre and leave only relevant shortcuts on the control panel.
How to block Control Centre Access from the lock screen on iPhone,iPad, and iPod touch
All iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod) users should turn off this simple setting on their device as soon as they come across this article. Once your device is stolen, there’ll be no way to do this, and your device might not be recovered.
- Open the Settings app on your device
- Navigate to Face ID/Touch ID and Passcode
- Verify your passcode
- Turn OFF the Control Centre from the list
Viola.
Once you’ve disabled the control centre from the lock screen, you or anyone else won’t be able to access any function on your iOS device until it’s unlocked.
You can also follow the same illustration to turn it back on when you feel it’s necessary.
How to Remove Aeroplane Mode from iPhone Control Centre
If you’re addicted to the control centre and would love to continue using it, you can consider removing the aeroplane mode option from the list of included controls.
This can be achieved from the control centre under the settings app.
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device
- Navigate to Face ID/ Touch ID and passcode
- Input your code to authenticate
- Click on the Control Centre menu
- Remove “Aeroplane Mode” from the included controls by tapping the red minus⛔
The option should move to the More Controls tab, making it unavailable in the control centre menus. If possible, remove the data control icon too.
You can now enjoy your iPhone device without fear of being unable to recover it when it’s stolen or goes missing.
How do I access the Control Centre on my iPhone?
Opening and closing the control centre should be a thing of concern to old iPhone users, but if you just got a new Apple device and don’t know how to access the control centre, here’s how to go about it.
Swipe up from the top right corner of your iPhone’s screen to open the control centre, whether your phone is locked or unlocked. Well, except you have to block its access on the lock screen.
Now, you can either tap on the screen or swipe up from the top left corner of your screen to close the control centre.
Conclusion
One way to reduce the risk of losing your iPhone if it goes missing or is stolen is to disable the control centre options on the lock screen.
Aside from the stealer preventing you from using your device, it also speeds up tracking since the aeroplane mode option won’t be available without unlocking the device.
Follow the above guide and disable the control centre to protect your iPhone from future theft.
