Many iPhone users find themselves wanting to hide certain apps from their home screen. Whether it’s an app you rarely use, a sensitive banking app, or anything else you wish to keep private, having it prominently displayed can be undesirable. Fortunately, Apple offers various methods to hide apps on your iPhone, without actually removing them from your device.
Hiding Apps in iOS 17 or Older
For those using iOS 17 or older, the process of hiding an app is straightforward and quick:
1. Locate the app you want to hide on your home screen.
2. Press and hold the app icon.
3. A menu will appear. Select “Remove App.”
4. You’ll be asked if you want to uninstall the app or simply remove it from the home screen. Choose “Remove from Home Screen” to hide the app without deleting it.
Finding Hidden Apps in iOS 17
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, retrieving a hidden app is easy:
1. Utilize Spotlight Search, a powerful iOS feature. Swipe down from your home screen (not from the top, which opens notifications).
2. In Spotlight Search, type the name of the app you’re looking for.
3. Alternatively, access the App Library by swiping left to the end of your home screen.
4. Use the search bar at the top of the App Library and either scroll through the alphabetical list or search for your app.
Hiding and Locking Apps in iOS 18
In iOS 18, Apple introduces an enhanced option to hide and secure apps, providing additional protection for your device:
1. Press and hold the icon of the app you want to hide or lock on your iPhone’s home screen.
2. In the menu that appears, tap “Require Face ID” and confirm your choice.
3. If the app can be hidden, you’ll also see an option to “Hide and Require Face ID.” Tap to confirm, and the app will disappear from your home screen.
4. To unhide a hidden app, go to your iPhone’s App Library. Find the “Hidden” folder, which should be the last one.
5. Long-press on the app you want to unhide and choose “Don’t Require Face ID.” The app will reappear on your home screen.
With these methods at your disposal, you can effectively manage the apps on your iPhone home screen, keeping your device organized and your sensitive information protected.
