Hello Challenger, welcome to our guide on how to hide apps on iPhone. We understand that sometimes we want to keep our apps hidden from prying eyes, and that’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to walk you through all you need to know about hiding apps on your iPhone. Whether you’re looking to keep certain apps away from your kids or simply want to declutter your home screen, this guide has got you covered.
Introduction
Hiding apps on iPhone was once a feature that was only available by jailbreaking your phone. However, in more recent updates, Apple has included several features that allow you to hide specific apps or even entire folders. But why would you want to hide an app in the first place? Some apps may contain sensitive information or simply be inappropriate for certain audiences. Others may be those that you don’t use frequently and want to keep hidden to de-clutter your home screen.
In this guide, we will take you step-by-step through the various ways you can hide apps on your iPhone.
Why You Might Want to Hide Your Apps
There are several reasons why you might want to hide an app on your iPhone including:
- Privacy concerns: You may have certain apps on your phone that contain personal or sensitive information, such as banking apps or health apps, that you do not want others to see.
- Parental controls: If you have kids who use your iPhone, you may want to restrict their access to certain apps that are not age-appropriate.
- Aesthetics: Hiding apps can help you declutter your home screen, leaving only the apps that you use frequently.
- Security: You may have an app that could be compromised, and you don’t want to risk losing data or being hacked.
How to Hide Apps on iPhone
There are several ways to hide apps on your iPhone, including:
- Using the App Library
- Moving Apps to a Hidden Folder
- Search for Installed Apps
- Hide Apps in Purchased List
- Using Siri Suggestions
- Restricting App Store Purchases
Using the App Library
The App Library is a new feature in iOS 14 that allows you to hide apps from your home screen. Here is how to hide apps using the App Library:
Step 1: Swipe all the way to the right
Swipe all the way to the right on your home screen to access the App Library. All your apps will be organized in folders based on their category.
Step 2: Locate the App You Want to Hide
Find the app you want to hide and press and hold it. A menu will appear with different options.
Step 3: Choose to Hide the App
Tap on the “Remove App” option. You will be asked if you want to delete the app or move it to the App Library. Select “Move to App Library.”
Step 4: Find the Hidden App
Your chosen app will now be hidden from your home screen, and you can locate it in the App Library. Simply swipe to the bottom of the App Library and find the “Hidden” tab. All your hidden apps will be listed here.
Moving Apps to a Hidden Folder
If you prefer to have all your hidden apps in one folder, you can create a hidden folder on your iPhone. Here is how:
Step 1: Create a New Folder
On your home screen, press and hold an app to enter “jiggle” mode. Now, drag the app on top of another app to create a new folder. You can name the folder anything you like.
Step 2: Move the Apps to the Hidden Folder
Once you have the folder, you can drag all the apps you want to hide into it.
Step 3: Hide the Folder
To hide the folder, move it to the right as far as possible on your home screen. It will now be on its own page, hidden from view. To access the folder, swipe to the right until you reach the last page.
Search for Installed Apps
Another way to hide apps on your iPhone is to simply search for them when you need them.
Step 1: Swipe Down from Your Home Screen
On your home screen, swipe down from the middle of the screen. This will bring up the search bar.
Step 2: Search for the App You Want to Use
Type in the name of the app you want to use. If the app is hidden from your home screen, it will still appear in the search results.
Hide Apps in Purchased List
You can also hide purchased apps from your home screen using the “Purchased” list in the App Store.
Step 1: Open the App Store
Open the App Store on your iPhone and click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
Step 2: Access the “Purchased” List
Scroll down to the “Purchased” section and select it. You will see a list of all the apps you have purchased on your iPhone.
Step 3: Hide the App
To hide an app, swipe left on the app and select “Hide.” The app will no longer appear on your home screen, but you can still access it through the “Purchased” list.
Using Siri Suggestions
Siri Suggestions are a great way to hide apps you don’t use frequently from your home screen.
Step 1: Swipe Left on Your Home Screen
Swipe left to access the Siri Suggestions screen.
Step 2: Locate the App You Want to Hide
Find the app you want to hide and press and hold it. A menu will appear.
Step 3: Hide the App
Select the “Remove App” option and choose “Move to App Library.”
Restricting App Store Purchases
If you want to restrict app purchases from the App Store, you can use Screen Time. Here is how:
Step 1: Go to Settings
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap on “Screen Time”
Scroll down and look for “Screen Time.” Tap on it to access its settings.
Step 3: Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions
Toggle on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
Step 4: Enter Your Passcode
If prompted, enter your passcode.
Step 5: Restrict App Store Purchases
Scroll down and look for “iTunes & App Store Purchases.” Toggle on this option and select “Don’t Allow.”
Table: How to Hide Apps on iPhone
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Using the App Library | Hides apps from your home screen and moves them to the App Library. |
| Moving Apps to a Hidden Folder | Creates a hidden folder on your home screen to store all your hidden apps. |
| Search for Installed Apps | Allows you to search for installed apps, even when they are hidden from view. |
| Hide Apps in Purchased List | Hides apps from your home screen and moves them to the “Purchased” list in the App Store. |
| Using Siri Suggestions | Hides apps from your home screen and moves them to the App Library. |
| Restricting App Store Purchases | Prevents app purchases from the App Store. |
FAQs
Q: Will hiding an app affect its functionality?
A: No, hiding an app doesn’t affect its functionality. You can still use the app normally.
Q: Can I hide Apple’s built-in apps?
A: Unfortunately, you cannot hide Apple’s built-in apps. You can, however, move them to a folder or the App Library.
Q: Can I unhide an app?
A: Yes, you can unhide an app by following the same steps you used to hide it, but selecting “Add to Home Screen” instead of “Remove App.”
A: No, unless someone knows about the specific features you’ve used to hide your apps, they won’t be able to see them.
Q: Why don’t I see the App Library?
A: The App Library is available in iOS 14 and later. If you’re not seeing it, your iPhone may be running an older operating system.
A: Yes, you will still receive notifications even if the app is hidden.
Q: How can I access the App Library?
A: Swipe all the way to the right on your home screen to access the App Library.
Q: Can I hide multiple apps at once?
A: No, you must hide each app individually.
A: Yes, you can create as many hidden folders as you want.
Q: Will moving an app to the App Library delete it?
A: No, moving an app to the App Library doesn’t delete it. You can still access it from the library.
Q: Can I hide apps from my iPad?
A: Yes, you can use these same methods to hide apps on your iPad.
Q: Can I hide stock apps on my iPad?
A: Unfortunately, you cannot hide stock apps on your iPad.
Q: How do I access Siri Suggestions on my iPhone?
A: Swipe left on your home screen to access Siri Suggestions.
Q: Can I restrict purchases from the App Store entirely?
A: Yes, you can restrict purchases by enabling “Ask to Buy” in Family Sharing under Screen Time settings.
Q: How can I reset my Screen Time Passcode?
A: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode > Forgot Passcode. You will need to enter your Apple ID and password.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you have reached the end of our ultimate guide on how to hide apps on iPhone. We have shown you six different methods to hide apps, including using the App Library, creating hidden folders, searching for apps, hiding them in the “Purchased” list, using Siri Suggestions, and restricting app purchases.
We hope you find these methods easy to follow and helpful. Remember, keeping certain apps hidden can be a great way to keep your iPhone organized and protected. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below.
Take Action Now!
If you found this guide helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Also, don’t forget to try out the different methods we described to see which one works best for you.
Closing Statement with Disclaimer
This guide on how to hide apps on iPhone is for informational purposes only. We do not condone or endorse the use of these methods to hide apps that contain illegal or inappropriate content. It is your responsibility to ensure that your iPhone is being used legally and responsibly.