PRIVATE browsing is great for keeping top secret web activity out of your iPhone's history,

But what if you've left the tab open and someone goes snooping?

You can now lock Private Browsing tabs

Perhaps you've got a surprise birthday gift planned and you don't want your other half to find out.

Well, fortunately Apple has a new trick up its sleeve.

In the iOS 17 update that was released to iPhones this week, users were pleased to notice a new feature in the Safari web browser.

The Private Browsing Mode already adds additional privacy protections which mean the app won't remember the pages you've visited nor will it keep them in search history.

But that doesn't stop those who know where to look from accessing any pages you've left open on there.

However, Apple has now decided to lock private browsing.

So, if anyone attempts to have a look they'll need to use Face ID - or know your passcode.

Here's how to set it up.

How to turn lock Private Browsing tabs

To lock Private Browsing pages, start by going to Settings.

Scroll down and look for Safari.

Go down to the Privacy & Security section.

Ensure Require Face ID to Unlock Private Browsing is switched on.

From now on, you'll need to use Face ID whenever you leave Private Browsing Mode and return to it.