Unstuck includes an optional app lock for your private journal on iPhone. You can require a 4-digit PIN to open the app and add Face ID or Touch ID unlock on supported devices.
What app lock does
App lock requires authentication when you open Unstuck. If your device supports Face ID or Touch ID, you can use biometric unlock for speed; the PIN remains the fallback.
App lock also enables a privacy screen in the app switcher: if you swipe up to multitask while Unstuck is in the foreground, the preview will not show your journal content.
You can turn on silent notifications at the iOS Settings level so that Unstuck reminder previews do not display your journal or check-in content on the lock screen.
What app lock does not do
App lock is a casual-access control, not encryption of the local data store. It does not protect against:
- A person who knows your iOS device passcode. Once your device is unlocked, app lock can still be bypassed by someone with your device passcode if they also know your Unstuck PIN.
- Forensic extraction by a determined attacker with physical access and the right tools.
- A backup that includes app data (for example, an unencrypted iTunes/Finder backup or a compromised iCloud account).
Pair app lock with a strong iOS device passcode (six-plus digits or a long alphanumeric) and Face ID for the strongest baseline.
How biometric unlock works
Face ID and Touch ID use Apple's LocalAuthentication framework. The biometric template never leaves the Secure Enclave on your device. Apple does not give Unstuck access to your biometric template, and Unstuck does not receive, store, or transmit any biometric data.
How to turn on app lock
- Open Unstuck.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap App Lock.
- Set a 4-digit PIN. Confirm.
- If your device supports Face ID or Touch ID, you can enable Biometric Unlock on the same screen.
- Optional: scroll to Privacy Screen and turn it on to hide app content in the app switcher.
How to change or remove the PIN
- Open Unstuck.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap App Lock.
- Tap Change PIN or toggle App Lock off.
What happens if you forget your PIN
For privacy reasons, Unstuck cannot recover your PIN. If you forget your PIN and need to keep using the app, the only path is to delete Unstuck and reinstall it. This will erase the journal entries, check-ins, reminders, and routines stored on the device. If you want to keep your data, export it first when you remember the PIN, or restore from an iOS device backup that was taken before you forgot the PIN.
This is a tradeoff. The lack of a recovery path is the same thing that prevents a third party from bypassing your lock by claiming to be you.
Lockout behavior
After several failed PIN attempts, Unstuck adds a short delay between attempts to slow brute-force attacks. Biometric attempts follow iOS conventions: after a small number of failed Face ID or Touch ID attempts, iOS will require the PIN.
Recommended iOS privacy settings to pair with app lock
For the strongest privacy baseline, also do the following in iOS Settings.
- Settings > Face ID and Passcode: use a six-plus digit passcode or custom alphanumeric code.
- Settings > Notifications > Unstuck: set Show Previews to When Unlocked or Never.
- Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking: turn off "Allow Apps to Request to Track" if you want a stricter posture across all apps.
- Settings > Screen Time > Communication Safety: consider enabling if shared device use is a concern.
Data at rest
Unstuck's local data store benefits from iOS data protection, which encrypts data on the file system when your device is locked.
Frequently asked
Does app lock encrypt my journal?
App lock controls access. iOS data protection contributes encryption at rest while the device is locked. App lock and disk encryption are different layers, and both matter.
Can I share my PIN with a clinician or family member?
You can. We do not recommend it. App lock is meant for one person on one device.
Does app lock prevent iCloud backup of my data?
No. App lock is a layer inside the app. iCloud Backup is a separate iOS feature that operates on the device level and is unaffected by app lock. If you do not want app data to be included in your iCloud device backup, turn iCloud Backup off for Unstuck in iOS Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Backups > This iPhone > Unstuck.
Contact
Questions about app lock or privacy: support@beunstuck.app.