How To Lock Screen While Watching Videos On Iphone

The iPhone is a versatile device, allowing you to watch videos across various apps and platforms. However, accidental touches on the screen or unintentional swipes can interrupt your viewing experience. Whether you’re letting a child watch a video or simply want to avoid accidental taps, locking your iPhone’s screen while watching videos can be incredibly useful.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about locking your screen while watching videos on an iPhone, including step-by-step instructions, tips, and troubleshooting advice.

Table of Contents

1. Why Lock the Screen While Watching Videos?

2. Methods to Lock the Screen on iPhone

• Using Guided Access
• Locking Orientation
• Using a Screen Protector with Touch Lock Apps

3. Locking the Screen on Different Apps

• YouTube
• Safari and Web Browsers
• Streaming Apps

4. Managing Playback Controls

5. Troubleshooting Lock Screen Issues

6. FAQs About Locking the Screen During Video Playback

7. Conclusion

Why Lock the Screen While Watching Videos?

Locking the screen while watching videos is beneficial in various scenarios, such as:

1. Preventing Accidental Touches: Avoid accidental pauses or video skips caused by unintended taps.

2. For Kids: Ensure children can watch videos without accidentally accessing other apps or settings.

3. Better Focus: Eliminate distractions from notifications or accidental screen touches.

4. Battery Conservation: Reduce unnecessary screen usage while focusing on the video.

Methods to Lock the Screen on iPhone

Using Guided Access

Guided Access is a built-in iOS feature designed for accessibility. It allows you to restrict your iPhone to a single app and disable screen interactions.

Steps to Enable Guided Access

1. Enable Guided Access

• Open the Settings app.
• Go to Accessibility > Guided Access.
• Toggle on Guided Access and set a passcode.

2. Start Guided Access

• Open the video app (e.g., YouTube, Netflix, or Safari).
• Triple-click the Side Button (or the Home Button on older iPhones).
• Tap Start in the top-right corner to activate Guided Access.

3. Disable Touch Screen

• Before starting Guided Access, tap Options in the bottom-left corner.
• Turn off Touch to disable screen interaction completely.
• Tap Start to lock the screen.

4. Exit Guided Access

• Triple-click the Side Button again.
• Enter your passcode and tap End to exit Guided Access.

Locking Orientation

Locking the screen orientation ensures that your video remains in landscape mode, even if the iPhone is moved. While this doesn’t fully lock the screen, it prevents accidental rotation.

Steps to Lock Orientation

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (or up from the bottom on older models) to access the Control Center.

2. Tap the Orientation Lock icon (a padlock with a circular arrow) to enable it.

3. Open your video app and enjoy uninterrupted playback in the chosen orientation.

Using a Screen Protector with Touch Lock Apps

Some third-party apps allow you to disable screen touch functionality temporarily. While not native to iOS, these apps work well with screen protectors that allow touch sensitivity to be toggled.

Recommended Apps

1. Touch Lock - Screen Locker: Helps lock touch input during video playback.

2. Baby Lock: Ideal for parents to prevent kids from exiting videos.

Locking the Screen on Different Apps

The process for locking the screen may vary depending on the app you’re using to watch videos.

Here’s how to do it on popular platforms:

YouTube

1. Open the YouTube app and play your video.

2. Enable Guided Access by triple-clicking the Side Button.

3. Turn off Touch under the Guided Access options.

Safari and Web Browsers

1. Launch Safari and navigate to the website hosting the video.

2. Start Guided Access by triple-clicking the Side Button.

3. Disable touch input in the Options menu for uninterrupted playback.

Streaming Apps (Netflix, Disney+, etc.)

1. Open the desired streaming app and select your video.

2. Use Guided Access to restrict touch interactions.

Managing Playback Controls

When you lock the screen using Guided Access, playback controls like pause, play, or volume adjustment may also be disabled. Here’s how to manage playback controls while keeping the screen locked:

1. Use Headphones: With physical buttons on headphones, you can play/pause videos or adjust the volume without unlocking the screen.

2. Enable Touch for Specific Areas: In Guided Access, you can allow touch in certain areas of the screen by drawing circles around playback controls before starting Guided Access.

Troubleshooting Lock Screen Issues

If you experience issues while locking the screen during video playback, consider these solutions:

Guided Access Won’t Start

1. Ensure that Guided Access is enabled under Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.

2. Restart your iPhone and try again.

Screen Touch Not Fully Disabled

Make sure to turn off the Touch option in the Guided Access settings.

Orientation Lock Doesn’t Work

1. Ensure the Orientation Lock icon is activated in the Control Center.

2. Update your iOS if the feature isn’t functioning as expected.

FAQs About Locking the Screen During Video Playback

Q1: Can I lock my screen completely while still hearing audio from the video?

Yes, you can play audio in the background by enabling Background App Refresh for the app or using Picture-in-Picture mode and then locking your screen.

Q2: Does Guided Access drain the battery?

Guided Access doesn’t significantly impact battery life, as it limits the phone to a single app and restricts unnecessary processes.

Q3: Can I use this method with third-party apps?

Yes, Guided Access works with most third-party video apps, including YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu.

Q4: How do I enable Guided Access on older iPhones?

The process is the same. Triple-click the Home Button instead of the Side Button to activate Guided Access.

Q5: Can I still receive calls or notifications while the screen is locked?

Calls and notifications will appear, but you can enable Do Not Disturb mode to prevent interruptions.

Conclusion

Locking the screen while watching videos on your iPhone is a practical solution for preventing accidental interruptions and improving your viewing experience. Whether you’re using the built-in Guided Access feature, locking screen orientation, or relying on third-party apps, the methods outlined in this guide ensure a seamless playback experience.

Guided Access is the most comprehensive solution, offering complete control over screen interactions while remaining easy to set up and customize. For simpler needs, using orientation lock or external playback controls can also be effective. These features are especially valuable for parents, multitaskers, and anyone looking to enhance their video-watching sessions.

With these tools and tips, you can enjoy your favorite videos without distractions, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience tailored to your preferences.