Hiding apps on your iPhone gives you more privacy and control over your device. With iOS 18’s latest updates, Apple has made some changes to how hidden apps work. To find and access hidden apps on your iPhone, go to the App Library by swiping left past all your Home Screen pages, then tap the Hidden folder at the bottom of the screen.
Many iPhone users don’t realize they can also manage hidden apps through Settings. If you’re looking for a specific hidden app, you can navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and scroll down to find hidden apps. This method is particularly useful if you want to delete a hidden app rather than just access it.
iOS 18 has enhanced privacy features that let you lock or hide apps behind Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. This extra layer of security means your private apps stay private, even if someone is using your unlocked phone.
Methods to Hide Apps on Your iPhone
There’s no single “hide” button on iPhones, but Apple provides several clever ways to keep apps out of sight—whether you’re organizing your screen or maintaining some privacy. Here are the most common methods:
1. Remove App from Home Screen (Without Deleting)
You can make an app disappear from your Home Screen without uninstalling it:
- Long-press the app icon
- Tap Remove App
- Select Remove from Home Screen
This moves the app to your App Library, which you can still access by swiping left past your last Home Screen page.
2. Use Screen Time Restrictions
You can hide apps using parental controls in Screen Time. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Enable restrictions if they’re not already on
- Tap Allowed Apps and toggle off any app you want hidden (e.g., Safari, Mail)
- For third-party apps, go to Content Restrictions > Apps and choose an age rating
Apps that don’t meet the selected age rating will be hidden from view.
3. Move Apps into a Folder
This doesn’t technically hide the app but helps to declutter your screen. Place it several pages deep in a folder with a generic name like “Utilities” or “Extras.” Bonus tip: move the folder to a Home Screen page you rarely use.
4. Hide Entire Home Screen Pages
Since iOS 14, you can hide entire Home Screen pages containing multiple apps:
- Tap and hold anywhere on your Home Screen until the icons jiggle
- Tap the dots at the bottom of the screen
- Uncheck any page you want hidden
Apps will remain on your phone and show up in searches and the App Library.
How to Access Hidden Apps Again
Depending on how you hid them, here’s how to bring apps back or find them quickly:
| Method Used to Hide | How to Access Again |
|---|---|
| Removed from Home Screen | Swipe left to App Library or use Search |
| Screen Time Restricted | Go to Settings > Screen Time to re-enable access |
| Folder Method | Open the folder or Search the app by name |
| Hidden Page | Long-press screen > Tap dots > Recheck the page |
Use Spotlight Search
The quickest way to access any app—even hidden ones:
- Swipe down from the center of the Home Screen
- Type the app’s name
- Tap the app to open it directly
This works even for apps removed from the Home Screen or tucked deep into folders.
Extra Tips for Managing App Visibility
- Siri Suggestions: Siri might still recommend hidden apps unless disabled. Go to Settings > Siri & Search, find the app, and disable Show App in Search and Suggest App.
- Hiding App Notifications: Go to Settings > Notifications, select the app, and turn off Allow Notifications for full stealth mode.
- Using Guided Access: If you’re handing your phone to someone and want to limit what they can open, turn on Guided Access in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
Why Hide Apps?
Here’s a quick look at why people choose to hide apps:
| Reason | Example Apps |
|---|---|
| Privacy concerns | Dating, Finance, Notes |
| Parental control | Games, YouTube, App Store |
| Home Screen organization | Rarely-used apps or default Apple apps |
| Reducing screen clutter | Utilities, Setup/Device Tools |
Hiding apps on iPhone isn’t about secrecy—it’s about control. Whether you’re optimizing your phone layout or keeping certain apps out of the hands of others, Apple offers plenty of low-key ways to get it done.
Key Takeaways
- Hidden apps can be accessed through the App Library by swiping left past all Home Screen pages and tapping the Hidden folder.
- iOS 18 lets users lock apps with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode for enhanced privacy protection.
- Hidden apps can be managed through Settings > General > iPhone Storage for viewing or deleting them.
Understanding Hidden Apps on iPhone
iPhone users can now control app visibility through built-in hiding features. iOS 18 introduces enhanced options for managing which apps appear on your Home Screen and how they’re protected from unwanted access.
The Basics of App Hiding Methods
There are several ways to hide apps on an iPhone. The most basic method is removing apps from the Home Screen without deleting them. These apps remain accessible through the App Library, which you can find by swiping left to the last page of your Home Screen.
For more privacy, iOS 18 allows users to fully hide apps. Hidden apps don’t appear on the Home Screen or in recent searches. They’re stored in a dedicated “Hidden” folder in the App Library.
To find hidden apps:
- Open the App Library (swipe left to the last page)
- Scroll down to locate the “Hidden” folder
- Tap to view all hidden apps
To unhide an app, simply long-press on the app icon in the Hidden folder and select the option to unhide it.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Hidden apps offer an additional layer of privacy for personal content. iOS 18 enhances this security by allowing users to lock hidden apps behind Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode authentication.
This protection prevents unauthorized access to sensitive applications like:
- Banking apps
- Private photos
- Personal messaging
- Health information
The authentication requirement creates a secure barrier between casual device users and your private information. This is particularly useful for those who occasionally share their device with others or have concerns about privacy in shared spaces.
Parents should note that Content Restrictions in Screen Time can be used alongside app hiding to create comprehensive controls for children’s device usage.
The Role of iOS 18 in App Visibility
iOS 18 significantly expands app visibility control options. The system introduces a more intuitive process for hiding and locking apps compared to previous versions.
One key improvement is the dedicated Hidden folder in the App Library. This creates a centralized location for all hidden content, making management simpler for users.
The integration with biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID) streamlines the security process. Users can quickly authenticate and access hidden apps without entering complex passcodes each time.
iOS 18 also improves the visual indicators for hidden content, making it clearer which apps are hidden versus those that are simply not on the Home Screen. This distinction helps prevent confusion when searching for specific applications.
Accessing and Managing Hidden Apps
Apple’s iOS provides several methods to both hide apps for privacy and locate them when needed. These features help users maintain privacy while still being able to access all their applications.
Navigating the App Library
The App Library is a key feature for finding hidden apps on iPhone. To access it, swipe left past all home screens. Here, all installed apps appear sorted into categories, even those not visible on home screens.
Users can tap the search bar at the top of the App Library to see an alphabetical list of all installed apps. This list includes hidden apps that don’t appear on the home screen.
App Library also organizes apps into smart folders based on categories like Social, Entertainment, and Productivity. Look through these folders to find apps that might be hidden from the home screen.
For further organization, press and hold an app icon in the App Library, then select “Add to Home Screen” to make hidden apps visible again.
Utilizing Screen Time for Restrictions
Screen Time offers powerful tools to manage app visibility and accessibility. Open Settings and tap “Screen Time,” then “Content & Privacy Restrictions” to control which apps are visible.
Under “Allowed Apps,” users can toggle specific applications on or off. Apps toggled off won’t appear on the home screen but remain installed on the device.
For family-managed devices, parents can hide apps through Family Sharing. The family organizer can set app limits and hide certain apps from children’s devices.
To unhide restricted apps, return to Screen Time settings and enter the Screen Time passcode. Then toggle the previously restricted apps back on to make them visible again.
Using Siri to Locate Hidden Apps
Siri provides a straightforward method to find and open hidden apps. Simply activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or holding the side button, then say “Open [app name].”
Even if an app is hidden from the home screen, Siri can locate and launch it. This works for apps hidden through any method, including App Library or Screen Time restrictions.
Users can also ask Siri more general questions like “Show me my hidden apps” to get assistance finding concealed applications.
For apps that have been removed from Spotlight search, Siri can still access them when other methods fail. This makes Siri particularly useful when users can’t remember where they placed certain apps.
Resetting Home Screen Layout to Unhide Apps
Resetting the home screen layout is an effective but drastic solution to reveal all hidden apps. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout.
This action returns all native apps to their default positions and brings all downloaded apps to the home screens. No apps are deleted during this process, making it safe but comprehensive.
Before resetting, consider checking iPhone Storage in Settings. This shows all installed apps regardless of visibility status, helping identify hidden apps without resetting.
For apps hidden through folders, simply search through folders by swiping down on the home screen and typing the app name in the search bar. This often reveals apps tucked away in nested folders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding hidden apps on your iPhone can sometimes be challenging. Here are answers to common questions about accessing apps that may not be immediately visible on your device.
How can I reveal hidden applications on my iPhone?
To find hidden apps on iPhone, check the App Library by swiping left past all home screen pages. Look for the Hidden folder at the bottom of the App Library, which contains apps that have been purposely hidden.
For iOS 18 users, there’s a dedicated Hidden Apps folder in the App Library that makes this process more straightforward. This new feature organizes concealed apps in one convenient location.
What steps are needed to locate apps that are not displayed on the iPhone home screen?
First, swipe to access the App Library on the rightmost screen. Apps not on the home screen will still appear in the App Library, organized by category.
To restore an app to the home screen, long-press the app icon in the App Library and select “Add to Home Screen.” This action makes the app visible and accessible from the main interface again.
Is there a method to search for apps that are not visible in the iPhone’s app library?
Use the search bar at the top of the App Library to find specific apps. Type in the name of the app you’re looking for, and it should appear in the results.
Note that according to some users, genuinely hidden apps may not appear in normal searches. In these cases, checking the Hidden folder specifically becomes necessary.
Can you provide guidance on accessing applications that have been deliberately concealed on an iPhone?
Access the App Library by swiping left past all home screens. Scroll down to find the Hidden folder at the bottom of the library.
Tap on the Hidden folder to view all concealed apps. From there, users can launch these apps directly or choose to unhide them by adding them back to the home screen.
What are the system settings to check for hidden apps on an iPhone?
Check Screen Time settings under Settings, as this feature can be used to hide apps. Look for App Limits or Content & Privacy Restrictions that might be hiding certain applications.
Review the App Store purchase history by tapping your profile in the App Store and selecting “Purchased.” This shows all apps that have been downloaded, including those not currently visible.
How does one uncover apps that have been hidden with the Screen Time feature on an iPhone?
Open Settings and tap on Screen Time. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions and ensure that it’s enabled.
Navigate to Allowed Apps to see which applications have been restricted or hidden. If prompted, enter the Screen Time passcode to view or modify these restrictions and make hidden apps visible again.
