How to Lock Gem Wallet with Face ID, Touch ID, or a Passcode
What Is the Gem Wallet App Lock?â
The app lock keeps Gem Wallet covered until you unlock it with your device's Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID, fingerprint, or device passcode. Nothing in your wallet, including balances, addresses, and activity, shows until you unlock.
The app lock protects access to the app on your device. It does not replace your Secret Phrase, which is still the only way to restore your wallet on another device.
The app lock uses your device's own unlock method. Gem Wallet never sees your fingerprint, face data, or device passcode.
Turn On the App Lockâ
When You Create or Import a Walletâ
After you create or import a wallet, Gem Wallet offers to turn on the lock before opening the wallet screen. The offer is named after your device's unlock method, such as Face ID or Passcode.
- Tap Enable and authenticate to turn it on.
- Tap Skip to continue without it. You can turn it on later in Settings.
The offer appears once per install. It does not appear if the lock is already on, or if your device has no biometrics or passcode set up.
From Settingsâ
- Open Gem Wallet and tap Settings.
- Tap Security.
- Turn on Enable Face ID. On other devices, this reads Enable Touch ID, Enable Optic ID, or Enable Passcode.
- Authenticate when your device asks.
Turning the lock off later also asks you to authenticate, so someone holding your unlocked phone can't switch it off.
Choose When Gem Wallet Locksâ
Under Settings > Security > Require authentication, choose how long Gem Wallet can stay in the background before it locks again:
| Option | When Gem Wallet asks you to unlock |
|---|---|
| Immediately | Every time you return to the app |
| 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes | When you return after being away longer than that |
| 1 hour, 6 hours | When you return after being away longer than that |
The timer only counts time away from Gem Wallet. Time spent inside the app never counts, and it starts again each time you leave. For example, approving a transaction with Face ID does not trigger an extra unlock prompt.
The lock always re-engages when the period has passed, even if a WalletConnect request is waiting.
Gem Wallet Is Hidden in the App Switcherâ
While the lock is on, Gem Wallet hides its contents when you leave the app, so balances and addresses don't show in the app switcher:
- iOS: Gem Wallet is covered with the Gem logo.
- Android 13 and later: the recent apps preview is hidden.
Earlier versions of Gem Wallet for iOS had a separate Privacy Lock setting. It has been removed because the app lock now covers Gem Wallet whenever it is locked or unlocking.
"Device Passcode Is Off" Lock Screenâ
If the app lock is on and you turn off your device's passcode or screen lock, Gem Wallet shows:
Device passcode is off Gem is locked with your device passcode. Turn on a passcode in your device settings to open Gem. Your wallets are safe.
The app lock relies on your device's passcode, so there is nothing else to unlock it with. Your wallets are not deleted or changed.
To open Gem Wallet again:
- iOS: Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) and tap Turn Passcode On. Return to Gem Wallet, and the unlock prompt starts by itself.
- Android: Tap the button on the Gem Wallet lock screen to open your device's screen lock setup, then set a PIN, pattern, or password. Return to Gem Wallet and unlock.
Don't delete and reinstall Gem Wallet to get past the lock unless you have your Secret Phrase. Deleting the app removes the wallets stored on this device, and only the Secret Phrase can restore them.
If You Can't Unlockâ
- Face ID or fingerprint fails: Use your device passcode when the prompt offers it.
- Unlock prompt was cancelled: Gem Wallet stays covered. Tap Unlock to try again.
- You changed your device's biometrics or passcode: Unlock with your current device passcode. If Gem Wallet still can't unlock, contact support through the app's official channels. Never share your Secret Phrase with anyone who asks for it.