---
title: "How to Configure Access Rules in Your Learndash App"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/configure-access-rules/"
description: "Introduction Access Rules give you complete control over who sees what inside your Learndash App. Whether you want to lock premium content for paid members, hid…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "LearnDash"
date: "2025-09-22"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# How to Configure Access Rules in Your Learndash App

## **Introduction**

  
Access Rules give you complete control over who sees what inside your Learndash App. Whether you want to lock premium content for paid members, hide posts from guests, or create unique app flows for different member types, Access Rules let you build a fully personalized experience.

This guide walks you through enabling Access Controls, defining member segments with Access Groups, and applying rules to restrict login access, app pages, blog posts, and LearnDash courses.

## **Prerequisite**

Make sure **Access Controls** is enabled:

1. In your WordPress Dashboard, go to **Learndash App > Components**.
2. Click **Activate** next to **Access Controls**.
3. Once active, go to **Learndash App > Access Controls** to begin creating rules.

![Screenshot of Access Controls settings menu](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-1.png)## **Configuring General App Access**

You can restrict access to the entire app based on login status or membership.

1. Go to **Learndash App > Access Controls > General**.
2. Enable **Restrict Access** to limit app entry.

![Screenshot of checkbox to restrict who can login to the LearnDash App](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-2.png)3. Under **Access Groups**, set the access rules:

![Screenshot of group settings for restricting logins](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-3.png)4. Set a **Restricted Action**: 
    - **Return to Login**
    - **Show Product Screen**
    - **Show App Page**

![Screenshot of redirect options for restricted logins](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-4.png)5. Click **Save Changes**.

Note*: To hide the app from all logged-out users, enable* ***Private App*** *under* ***Learndash App > Settings > General > Privacy.***

## **Restricting App Pages, WordPress Pages & Blog Posts**

You can apply access rules to both native app screens and website content.

1. In **Learndash App > Access Controls**, go to **App Pages**, **Pages**, or **Posts**.

![Screenshot of adding rules to the login restrictions](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-5.png)2. Click **+ Add Rule** next to the item you want to restrict.

![Screenshot of dropdown option for making a new rule](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-7.png)3. Select your restriction: 
    - **All logged-in members
    - **Specific Access Groups
4. Choose a restriction message type:  
    
    - **Default Message
    - **Custom Message** (lets you add a title, custom copy, call-to-action, or content teaser)
5. Click **Save**.

*Note: Logged-out users will always see the login prompt before restricted content.*

## **Restricting LearnDash Courses**

You can control access to individual courses, categories, tags, or apply a global default rule.

### **Restrict a Specific Course**

1. Go to **Learndash App > Access Controls > Courses > Courses**.
2. Click **+ Add Rule** next to the course.
3. Choose restriction type:  
    
    - **All logged-in members
    - **Specific Access Groups
4. Click **Save**.

![Screenshot of restricting courses](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-6.png)### **Restrict by Categories or Tags**

1. Go to **Learndash App > Access Controls > Courses > Categories & Tags**.
2. Add rules to categories, tags, or custom taxonomies.
3. Set restriction and click **Save**.

![Screenshot of Categories and tags options](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-8.png)### **Set a Global Rule for All Courses**

1. Go to **Courses > Default Settings**.
2. Check **Restrict All Courses**.
3. Choose the restriction type and Access Group.
4. Decide whether to **Hide restricted courses** or **Show with limited access**.
5. Click **Save Changes**.

![screenshot of App Access Rules default settings](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/How-to-Configure-Access-Rules-in-Your-Learndash-App-_-9.png)## **Troubleshooting and FAQs**

**Q: Restrict Access isn’t working for some users.  
 **A:** Go to **Access Groups**, hover over the group name, and click **Recalculate Members** to refresh the list.

**Q: I don’t see my membership plugin in the dropdown.  
 **A:** Make sure the plugin (e.g., **Restrict Content Pro**, **MemberPress**) is installed and active.

**Q: My custom message isn’t showing in the app.  
 **A:** Force-close and reopen the app to clear the cache and load the updated rules.

**Q: Can I hide both a page and its menu item?  
 **A:** Yes. Add an Access Rule under **Pages** and also configure **Menu Rules** under **Learndash App > Menus** using the same group.

**Q: Why do logged-out users see restricted pages?  
 **A:** Check if **Restrict Access** is enabled under **General** and verify your rule is targeting the correct audience.