How To Fully Customize And Take Control Of iOS 7 Passcode Unlock Duration

The lock screen has been getting quite a bit of attention in this particular jailbreak window, with developers old and new looking to enhance the look, functionality and general behavior of iOS virtual front door. Like real front doors, it’s lockable for security reasons, but rather than merely shutting others out, we’re often only serving to create more work for ourselves as we continually type in the Passcode / password to enter. While not such a problem for those with Touch ID, a couple of new tweaks from developer insanj will help you to customize the auto-lock time-out duration, as well as the length of time before a password is required.

The first tweak, LongerAutoLock, does exactly what it says on the tin. Instead of conforming to the times set by Apple before your unattended device locks itself, LongerAutoLock puts the power in your hands, allowing you to decide the duration between last action and auto-locking.

iOS 7 lock screen passcode header

Such a tweak is great for expanding one of iOS’s many unexplained restrictions, but the second tweak, PassTime, is arguably even more useful. It lets you set the amount of time required before your device requires a password, which can be very handy if you find yourself regularly unlocking your device.

For example, if you’re constantly sending and receiving messages and emails throughout the day, you can use PassTime to ensure that the passcode verification isn’t needed if you try to unlock again after, say, one minute. This ensures that you won’t spend a large chunk of your day bypassing your own security measure, and if you do happen to misplace or lose your device, it’s unlikely to be breached unless the finder is extremely quick to the draw.

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Both of these tweaks are 99 cents each over at the BigBoss repo, although if you purchase one, the other is free. Since they both have very similar aims but are still different enough to prove useful in their own right, it’s definitely worth having both, so head over the Cydia and pick them up.

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