FOLD Documentation
Early access
Security and privacy

App lock

Require Touch ID, Face ID or your device passcode to open FOLD, on Mac, iPhone and iPad.

The app lock hides FOLD behind the authentication of your device. It is off by default.

Turning it on

  • Mac: Settings (⌘,) > Security > App Lock.
  • iPhone and iPad: tap your account picture, then Security & Privacy > App lock.

FOLD asks for Touch ID or Face ID and falls back to your device passcode or login password. The check runs entirely on the device.

When FOLD locks

  • When FOLD starts.
  • After it has been in the background, or on the Mac has lost focus, for the time set under Auto-lock: Immediately, After 1 minute, After 5 minutes or After 15 minutes.
  • Right away with ⌘L on the Mac, or Lock now on iPhone and iPad.

On iPhone and iPad, FOLD also covers its content in the app switcher when you leave it.

Together with Fortress Mode

If you use Fortress Mode, the app lock and Fortress work as one: when the app lock locks, Fortress locks too, and a single Touch ID or Face ID prompt unlocks both, provided you set up biometric unlocking for Fortress. On the Mac, ⌘L locks Fortress even when the app lock is off.

What the app lock does not do

The app lock controls access to FOLD’s window. It does not encrypt anything; your data is protected by the operating system and, if you turn it on, by Fortress Mode. Some information is also visible outside FOLD:

  • Notifications for new mail show sender and subject, even while FOLD is locked. To hide them, turn off previews for FOLD in the system notification settings.
  • Spotlight finds messages from accounts without Fortress Mode, including subject, sender and preview, as described under Data on your device.