PocketGuard

Quick guide

PocketGuard sounds an alarm if someone takes your phone while protection is on. Only your Face ID or your PIN or password can stop it.

Before first use (once)

Turn on Apple’s protection: Find My iPhone (Settings › your name › Find My) and Stolen Device Protection (Settings › Face ID & Passcode).
Set up Guided Access. It stops anyone locking the phone or leaving PocketGuard.
1. Open Settings › Accessibility › Guided Access and turn it on.
2. Tap Passcode Settings, set a passcode and turn on Face ID.
3. Make sure Accessibility Shortcut › Guided Access is on.
Choose how you’ll stop the alarm: in PocketGuard, open Settings › Owner check and set up Face ID, a PIN or a password. You can’t arm without one.
Turn the volume up and set the Ring/Silent switch to ring.

Each time you use it

Pick a mode in Modes (see below).
Tap Arm protection.
Lock PocketGuard on screen: triple-click the side button, tap Options, turn off Side Button and Volume Buttons, then tap Start. iOS remembers these options.
Put the phone away within 3 seconds. In Pocket, Bag and Travel, move normally. In Table, Charging and Sleep, leave it still. When it has learned normal movement it shows Protection on.
If the alarm goes off, confirm it’s you with Face ID or your PIN or password. During the countdown that cancels it; after that it stops the alarm.
Finish: tap Disarm and confirm it’s you. Then triple-click the side button, confirm, and tap End.

Modes

Each mode has its own colour, the same as its tile in the app. Modes marked Experimental aren’t tuned on real-world movement yet, so test one yourself before relying on it.

Pocket Blue

Use it when: The phone is in a trouser or jacket pocket.

Alarm if: It’s pulled out fast and flipped.
Bag Orange Experimental

Use it when: The phone is in a handbag or backpack.

Alarm if: It’s lifted out.
Table Brown Experimental

Use it when: The phone is lying still on a table or desk.

Alarm if: It’s picked up.
Charging Green Experimental

Use it when: The phone is on charge.

Alarm if: The charger is pulled out or the phone is picked up. On the web test page only a pick-up counts: Safari can’t see the charger.
Travel Navy Experimental

Use it when: You’re in a crowd, on a bus or train, or at a station.

Alarm if: Same as Pocket, but more sensitive, with a shorter 3 s countdown.
Sleep Purple Experimental

Use it when: The phone is on your bedside table overnight.

Alarm if: It’s picked up. A longer 10 s countdown gives you time to wake.
Custom Slate

Use it when: You want your own settings.

Alarm if: Pocket rules, with your sensitivity and countdown from Settings.

Important limits

Keep PocketGuard open on screen. Locking the phone or switching apps stops protection; iOS doesn’t let any app watch motion in the background. Guided Access prevents both.
A forced restart still works on any iPhone. PocketGuard tells you next time you open it that protection ended. The planned Smart Tag is designed to cover this.
If your phone is stolen, don’t chase or confront anyone. Use Find My and contact the police.