Guided Access not locking iPad page despite following accessibility instructions

All the accessibility toggles are on. I have a passcode. I have the shortcut. I go to my photo and try to lock it using the three quick presses of the top button but all it does is turn up my volume. What am I doing wrong?




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: I have followed all of the accessibility instructions and turned my iPad on and off several times. Guided Access only turns up volume and doesn’t allow me to lock my page.

iPad Air, iPadOS 18

Posted on Oct 12, 2025 6:16 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 12, 2025 8:07 PM

Re:  I have followed all of the accessibility instructions and turned my iPad on and off several times. Guided Access only turns up volume and doesn’t allow me to lock my page.


If the iPad has a Home Button you would use that for the triple-click.

If not the tips below may help trouble-shoot the situation


Depending on how you set it up: triple-click may lock the page immediately (one feature)

or

You may need to choose which feature to lock before it locks.

______________________________________________________________

To use the triple click: Guided Access must first be turned on in Settings:

Quickly turn accessibility features on or off on iPad - Apple Support

Eg: says:

  1. Go to Settings  > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut, then select the features you want.
  2. If you select only one feature, the feature is immediately turned on or off when you click the button shortcut.
  3. Triple-click one of the following:
    • The Home button (on an iPad with a Home button)
    • The top button (on other iPad models)
  1. To have iPad recognize a slower triple-click, see Adjust settings for the top or Home button.
  2. Tap the feature you want to turn on or off (if Accessibility Shortcut is set up with more than one feature).



Apple support's online article (link below) explains how to turn on Guided Access:

Lock iPad to one app with Guided Access - Apple Support


  1. Go to Settings  > Accessibility > Guided Access, then turn on Guided Access.


To start a session:

Start a Guided Access session


  1. Open the app you want to use.
  2. To turn on Guided Access, do one of the following:
  3. Siri: Say something like: “Turn on Guided Access.” Learn how to use Siri.
  1. Circle any areas of the screen you want to disable. Drag the mask into position or use the handles to adjust its size.
  2. Tap Options, then turn on or off any of the following:
    • Top Button
    • Volume Buttons
    • Motion (to prevent iPad from switching from portrait to landscape or from responding to other motions)
    • Software Keyboards
    • Touch
    • Time Limit
  1. Tap Start.:"

_________________________

End a Guided Access session


"Depending on the passcode options you chose when you set up Guided Access, do any of the following:

  • Use the passcode: Triple-click the top button (on an iPad with Face ID) or Home button (on other iPad models), then enter the Guided Access passcode. If you didn’t set a Guided Access passcode, enter your iPad passcode.
  • Use Face ID or Touch ID: If you turned on the Face ID or Touch ID option in Guided Access Passcode Settings, double-click the top button or Home button, then unlock your iPad with Face ID or Touch ID (depending on your iPad model)."
3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 12, 2025 8:07 PM in response to KathyM104

Re:  I have followed all of the accessibility instructions and turned my iPad on and off several times. Guided Access only turns up volume and doesn’t allow me to lock my page.


If the iPad has a Home Button you would use that for the triple-click.

If not the tips below may help trouble-shoot the situation


Depending on how you set it up: triple-click may lock the page immediately (one feature)

or

You may need to choose which feature to lock before it locks.

______________________________________________________________

To use the triple click: Guided Access must first be turned on in Settings:

Quickly turn accessibility features on or off on iPad - Apple Support

Eg: says:

  1. Go to Settings  > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut, then select the features you want.
  2. If you select only one feature, the feature is immediately turned on or off when you click the button shortcut.
  3. Triple-click one of the following:
    • The Home button (on an iPad with a Home button)
    • The top button (on other iPad models)
  1. To have iPad recognize a slower triple-click, see Adjust settings for the top or Home button.
  2. Tap the feature you want to turn on or off (if Accessibility Shortcut is set up with more than one feature).



Apple support's online article (link below) explains how to turn on Guided Access:

Lock iPad to one app with Guided Access - Apple Support


  1. Go to Settings  > Accessibility > Guided Access, then turn on Guided Access.


To start a session:

Start a Guided Access session


  1. Open the app you want to use.
  2. To turn on Guided Access, do one of the following:
  3. Siri: Say something like: “Turn on Guided Access.” Learn how to use Siri.
  1. Circle any areas of the screen you want to disable. Drag the mask into position or use the handles to adjust its size.
  2. Tap Options, then turn on or off any of the following:
    • Top Button
    • Volume Buttons
    • Motion (to prevent iPad from switching from portrait to landscape or from responding to other motions)
    • Software Keyboards
    • Touch
    • Time Limit
  1. Tap Start.:"

_________________________

End a Guided Access session


"Depending on the passcode options you chose when you set up Guided Access, do any of the following:

  • Use the passcode: Triple-click the top button (on an iPad with Face ID) or Home button (on other iPad models), then enter the Guided Access passcode. If you didn’t set a Guided Access passcode, enter your iPad passcode.
  • Use Face ID or Touch ID: If you turned on the Face ID or Touch ID option in Guided Access Passcode Settings, double-click the top button or Home button, then unlock your iPad with Face ID or Touch ID (depending on your iPad model)."

Oct 12, 2025 8:17 PM in response to KathyM104

Hello KathyM104,


I believe you may be accidentally pressing the volume up button instead of the power button. I suggest taking a look at the following video to help you setup and use Guided Access on your iPad


https://youtu.be/JkDtljBD1Fw?si=jPHWzGHHCqPMh3f1


Please note that the triple-click of the power button is also the Accessibility Shortcut action, so if this feature is setup as well as Guided Access, it will display a menu in which you can enable Guided Access when you perform a triple-click of the power button.


Sincerely,


Captain

Guided Access not locking iPad page despite following accessibility instructions

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