Discover the Secret: Safeguard Your iPhone Apps with This Hidden Trick!
How to Hide Apps on Your iPhone
The iPhone’s home screen can be a mixed bag. Some people adore its simplicity, while others find it cluttered, especially those who love to download apps. Unlike Android, which uses an app drawer, the iPhone displays all app icons directly on the home screen. This makes them easily accessible but can lead to a chaotic appearance.
Thankfully, the App Library provides a central place to organize apps. But for many, the home screen remains the primary app storage hub. This is where the need to hide apps comes in. Whether you want to keep a sensitive banking app hidden or simply declutter your home screen, Apple has got you covered with easy ways to do so without completely removing the apps from your phone.
Hiding Apps in iOS 17 and Older
Hiding an app on your iPhone’s home screen is a breeze. These instructions apply to iPhones running iOS 17 or older. iOS 18 introduces a slightly different method, which we’ll discuss later.
Step 1: Locate the app you wish to hide on your home screen.
Step 2: Press and hold the app icon.
Step 3: A pop-up menu will appear. Select “Remove App.”
Step 4: You’ll be asked whether you want to uninstall the app or remove it from the home screen. Choose “Remove from Home Screen” to hide the app without deleting it.
Finding Hidden Apps in iOS 17 and Older
If you’ve chosen to hide an app instead of uninstalling it, you’ll likely need to access it again at some point. While it’s no longer visible on your home screen, finding it is simple. There are two ways to do this:
Method 1: Spotlight Search
Spotlight Search is an incredibly useful iOS feature. It’s perfect for finding any app, including hidden ones.
Step 1: Swipe down from your home screen to activate Spotlight Search. Don’t swipe from the top, as this will open your notifications. Instead, swipe from the middle of the screen.
Step 2: In the Spotlight Search bar, type the name of the app you’re looking for.
Method 2: App Library
Step 1: Swipe to the leftmost page of your home screen to access the App Library.
Step 2: Use the search bar at the top of the App Library, either scroll through the alphabetical list, or type in the app’s name to find it.
Hiding and Locking Apps in iOS 18
iOS 18 brings an enhanced feature to hide and secure apps, offering an extra layer of protection for your device.
Step 1: Press and hold the app icon on your iPhone’s home screen that you want to hide or lock.
Step 2: In the menu that appears, tap “Require Face ID” and confirm your choice.
Step 3: If the app can be hidden, you’ll see an option to “Hide and Require Face ID.” Tap to confirm, and the app will disappear from your home screen.
Step 4: To unhide a hidden app, navigate to your iPhone’s App Library. The “Hidden” folder will be the last one in the list.
Step 5: Long-press the app you want to unhide and choose “Don’t Require Face ID.” The app will reappear on your home screen.
With these techniques at your disposal, you are now an expert in hiding iPhone apps! Whether you need to declutter your home screen or keep certain apps private, these methods allow you to hide apps effectively.
