Hide Apps on iPhone: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Why You Might Want to Hide Apps on Your iPhone

Whether you’re tidying up your home screen or keeping certain apps out of sight, there are plenty of good reasons to hide apps on your iPhone. iOS offers multiple methods depending on just how hidden you want an app to be - from simply tucking it away in the App Library to locking it behind Face ID.

Here are some of the most common reasons iPhone users choose to hide their apps:

• Privacy from others: Over 70% of smartphone users are concerned about the privacy of their data, according to Statista. Hiding sensitive apps - like banking, health, or messaging apps - helps keep prying eyes out of your personal information.
• Decluttering your home screen: Since Apple introduced the App Library in iOS 14, it’s easier than ever to remove apps from your home screen without deleting them entirely, keeping things clean and organized.
• Parental controls: Parents can hide apps that aren’t age-appropriate or use Screen Time to restrict access to specific apps entirely.
• Focus and productivity: Focus Mode, introduced in iOS 15, lets you limit which apps and notifications are visible during certain activities - like work, sleep, or exercise - reducing distractions.
• Keeping sensitive apps away from casual browsers: If you frequently hand your phone to someone else, hiding certain apps adds a simple but effective layer of discretion. If you’re also planning to sell it, make sure you know how to move authenticator apps before selling your phone.

With the majority of iPhone users now running iOS 16 or later, most people have access to all of Apple’s current app-hiding features - though minimum iOS version requirements are worth keeping in mind as apps continue to evolve. This gives you several flexible options to choose from depending on your needs.

How to Hide Apps on iPhone Using Face ID in iOS 18

This is the most secure and private method available for hiding apps on iPhone. When you hide an app using this method, it is moved to a locked Hidden folder inside your App Library, requiring Face ID or Touch ID to access it. Notifications from the app are also hidden, making this a genuinely private solution. Keep in mind that this feature only works with downloaded apps - pre-installed Apple system apps cannot be hidden this way.

Step 1: Locate the app on your home screen or App Library

Find the app you want to hide. If it’s not on your home screen, swipe left past all your home screen pages to open the App Library, where all your installed apps are organized automatically into categories.

Step 2: Touch and hold the app icon

Press and hold the app icon until a popup menu appears. Wait a moment for the menu to fully load before proceeding.

Step 3: Tap Require Face ID or Touch ID

In the popup menu, tap the option labeled Require Face ID (or Require Touch ID on compatible devices). This will open a secondary menu with additional options.

Step 4: Select Hide and Require Face ID

From the secondary menu, tap Hide and Require Face ID. This option does two things simultaneously - it locks the app behind biometric authentication and removes it from your home screen entirely, placing it in the hidden, locked section of your App Library.

Step 5: Confirm by tapping Hide App

A final confirmation prompt will appear. Tap Hide App to complete the process. The app will immediately disappear from your home screen, and all notifications from that app will also be hidden, ensuring nothing surfaces that could reveal the app’s presence on your device.

How to Remove Apps from Your Home Screen

This method works on all iOS versions, though the full experience (including App Library) is available on iOS 14 and later - which covers the vast majority of iPhone users today. Removing an app from your Home Screen keeps it accessible in the App Library without cluttering your main screens. It’s a good option for casual tidying when you don’t need full privacy.

Step 1: Touch and Hold the App Icon

Press and hold the app icon until jiggle mode activates or a pop-up menu appears. On newer iOS versions, a contextual menu will typically appear first.

Step 2: Tap “Remove App”

Select Remove App from the menu. This is different from deleting - choosing this option keeps the app fully installed on your device, including its data and settings.

Step 3: Select “Remove from Home Screen”

When prompted, tap Remove from Home Screen. The app will move exclusively to your App Library, where it can still be found by swiping to the rightmost Home Screen page or using the Search bar at the top of the App Library. You can also find it through Spotlight Search by swiping down from the middle of any Home Screen.

How to Hide Entire Home Screen Pages on iPhone

If you want to hide multiple apps at once, hiding an entire Home Screen page is one of the quickest ways to do it in bulk - no need to move apps individually. This works on iOS 14 and later.

Step 1: Enter jiggle mode by long-pressing an empty area

Press and hold an empty spot on your Home Screen until the apps start wiggling. This puts your iPhone into edit mode.

Step 2: Tap the page indicator dots at the bottom

While in jiggle mode, tap the row of dots at the bottom of the screen. This opens a thumbnail view of all your current Home Screen pages.

Step 3: Uncheck the pages you want to hide and tap Done

Tap the checkmark beneath any page you want to hide to deselect it. Once hidden, those pages won’t appear on your Home Screen - but they aren’t deleted. All the apps still live in your App Library, and you can re-enable any hidden page at any time by simply returning to this view and checking it again.

How to Use Folders to Hide Apps

A low-tech method for casual privacy. Good for users who want quick access but don’t want apps immediately visible on their home screen.

Step 1: Create a folder with commonly used apps

Press and hold any app until it starts to jiggle, then drag one app onto another to automatically create a folder. iOS will suggest a name based on the app category, but you can rename it to anything you like.

Step 2: Drag sensitive apps into the folder

Give the folder an unassuming name like “Utilities” or “Tools” so it doesn’t draw attention. Avoid names that hint at the contents of the folder.

Step 3: Move hidden apps to the second or third folder page

Folders on iOS can hold multiple pages of apps - most people don’t scroll past the first page. Drag your sensitive apps to a back page so they’re tucked out of plain sight. Simply drag the app to the right edge of the folder until a new page appears.

Bonus Tip: If you’re running iOS 14 or later - which covers the vast majority of iPhone users today - you can also remove apps from your home screen entirely and access them through the App Library, without deleting them. This can be used alongside the folder method for an extra layer of casual privacy.

How to Hide Apps on iPhone Using Screen Time

Screen Time is a parental control and usage tracking feature built into iOS. It’s especially useful for parents who want to restrict their children’s access to certain apps, or for anyone who wants to limit distractions. You can restrict entire categories of apps and content, including:

• Social media and entertainment apps
• Built-in Apple apps (Safari, Camera, FaceTime, etc.)
• App Store access
• Explicit content and age-restricted apps
• In-app purchases

Keep in mind that Screen Time is best suited for hiding or restricting Apple’s built-in apps. For hiding third-party apps, you’ll get better results using the App Library or Focus Mode (introduced in iOS 15), which lets you control which apps and notifications are visible during specific activities.

Step 1: Open Screen Time in Settings

Navigate to Settings > Screen Time. If you’ve never used Screen Time before, tap Turn On Screen Time and follow the on-screen prompts to get it set up.

Step 2: Tap Content and Privacy Restrictions

Scroll down and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If it’s not already enabled, tap the toggle at the top of the screen to turn it on. You may be prompted to set or enter a Screen Time passcode to prevent others from changing these settings. If you ever get locked out, see our guide on how to fix a disabled iPhone.

Step 3: Select Allowed Apps

Tap Allowed Apps to see a list of Apple’s built-in apps that can be restricted. This includes apps like Safari, Camera, FaceTime, Mail, and more.

Step 4: Toggle Off Apps You Want Hidden

Simply tap the toggle next to any app you want to hide. When toggled off, the app will disappear from your Home Screen and will no longer be accessible until the restriction is removed. Note that this method only works for Apple’s built-in apps - third-party apps downloaded from the App Store cannot be hidden this way. For hiding third-party apps, consider moving them to the App Library (available since iOS 14) or using Focus Mode to keep them out of sight during specific times of day.

How to Hide Apps from Your App Store Purchase History

Hiding an app from your purchase history removes it from the Purchased list that anyone sharing your Apple Account or using Family Sharing can see. Note that this does not remove the app from your device - it simply keeps it out of the visible purchase history.

Step 1: Open the App Store app

Locate and tap the App Store icon on your iPhone or iPad to get started.

Step 2: Tap your account profile icon

Tap your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner of the App Store to access your account settings.

Step 3: Select Purchased

Tap Purchased to view a full list of every app ever downloaded using your Apple ID. If you’re planning to sell your device, it’s also worth checking what service history a used iPhone reveals to a new owner.

Step 4: Swipe left on an app and tap Hide

Find the app you want to hide, swipe left on it, and tap the Hide button. The app will remain installed on your device but will no longer appear in your purchase history for others to see. Before handing off your phone, you may also want to remove any MDM profile that could expose account or management details.

How to Disguise Apps Using the Shortcuts App

This is a more advanced method for users who want to completely camouflage an app. Apple’s built-in Shortcuts app allows you to create custom app icons with any name and image you choose - making it one of the most effective ways to hide an app in plain sight. It’s a little more involved than other methods, but the result is highly convincing.

Step 1: Open Shortcuts and Create a New Shortcut

Open the Shortcuts app (it comes pre-installed on all iPhones running iOS 13 and later) and tap the + icon in the top-right corner to begin creating a new shortcut.

Step 2: Add the “Open App” Action

Tap Add Action, then search for “Open App” in the search bar. Select it, then tap Choose to pick the specific app you want to disguise.

Step 3: Choose a Custom Icon and Name

Tap the dropdown arrow or the shortcut name at the top to access settings. From here, you can give it any innocent-sounding name you like and select a custom icon - use any image from your photo library or choose from built-in glyphs to make it blend in naturally with your other apps.

Step 4: Add the Shortcut to Your Home Screen

Tap the Share icon and select Add to Home Screen. This places your disguised icon directly on your home screen, looking just like any other app.

Step 5: Remove the Original App Icon from Your Home Screen

Long-press the original app icon and select Remove from Home Screen. The app itself remains fully accessible in your App Library (introduced in iOS 14), but only your disguised shortcut will be visible on your home screen - keeping the real app effectively hidden from casual view. If you ever plan to sell your device, it’s worth knowing that buyers and inspectors may look more closely than you’d expect at what’s on your phone.

How to Make an App Hidden from Search and Siri

Even hidden apps can appear in Spotlight search or Siri suggestions. Here’s how to disable these features to fully hide an app on iPhone.

Disabling Spotlight Search for specific apps

Go to Settings > Siri & Search, select the app you want to hide, then toggle off “Show App in Search” and “Learn from this App.” This prevents the app from surfacing when you swipe down and type in Spotlight.

Turning off Siri Suggestions for hidden apps

In the same Settings > Siri & Search menu, select your app and toggle off “Show on Home Screen” and “Suggest App.” This stops Siri from proactively suggesting the app based on your usage habits - for example, at certain times of day or in certain locations.

It’s worth mentioning that as of iOS 16 and later - which now runs on over 78% of iPhones according to Apple’s usage data - these settings have remained steady, so the steps above should apply to most iPhone users. If you’re on an older version, the menu labels may vary slightly, but the options are found in the same general area of Settings. If you’re also weighing an upgrade, see how to check how many times an iPhone was sold before buying used.

How to Stop New Apps from Appearing on Your Home Screen

Prevents newly downloaded apps from automatically appearing. Useful for maintaining a clean, organized home screen. This feature has been available since Apple introduced the App Library in iOS 14, and with over 78% of iPhone users now running iOS 16 or later, most users can take advantage of it.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

Quick instruction.

Step 2: Tap Home Screen & App Library

This setting controls where newly downloaded apps are placed. In recent iOS versions, this option may appear as Home Screen & App Library rather than just Home Screen.

Step 3: Select App Library Only

New apps will download directly to the App Library, keeping your home screen clean and uncluttered. You can still access any app at any time through the App Library, which automatically organizes your apps into categories. If you ever want a specific app back on your home screen, simply long-press it in the App Library and select Add to Home Screen. If you’re also thinking about upgrading your device, it’s worth checking when phone storage degradation means it’s time to upgrade before reorganizing around a phone that may be on its way out.

How to Find Hidden Apps on Your iPhone

Explaining how to locate apps you’ve hidden using various methods. Use bullet format with bold method names for quick scanning.

Locating Apps in the App Library

Introduced in iOS 14, the App Library is the first place to check for hidden apps. Swipe left past all your home screens to access it. If you’ve specifically hidden an app from your home screen, it will still appear here - browse through the auto-generated categories or use the search bar at the top to find it quickly.

Searching with Spotlight

Swipe down from the middle of your home screen to open Spotlight Search, then type the app’s name. This will surface apps even if they’ve been removed from your home screen and tucked away in the App Library. Note that this won’t work if Spotlight Search has been disabled for that app via Settings.

Checking Screen Time Restrictions

Some apps may be hidden because Screen Time restrictions are actively blocking them. To check, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps. If an app is toggled off here, it won’t appear anywhere on your device until re-enabled.

Checking Focus Filters

Since iOS 15, Focus Mode can limit which apps and notifications are visible during specific activities. If an app seems to disappear at certain times, it may be filtered by an active Focus profile. Go to Settings > Focus to review and adjust your Focus filters accordingly. If you’re dealing with other display oddities alongside missing apps, it may also be worth checking out our guide to troubleshooting and fixing iPhone black screens.

How to Unhide Apps on Your iPhone

No matter which method you used to hide an app, reversing it is straightforward. Here’s how to unhide apps on your iPhone using each major approach:

Restoring Apps to the Home Screen

If an app is hidden from your Home Screen but still lives in your App Library (introduced in iOS 14), here’s how to bring it back:

• Swipe left past all your Home Screen pages to open the App Library.
• Find the app by browsing categories or using the search bar at the top.
• Long-press the app icon until a context menu appears.
• Tap “Add to Home Screen” to restore it to its original place.

Unhiding Apps from Your Purchase History

If you’ve hidden an app from your App Store purchase history, follow these steps to make it visible again:

• Open the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
• Tap your Apple Account at the top of the screen.
• Scroll down and tap “Hidden Purchases.”
• Find the app you want to restore and tap “Unhide.”

Showing Hidden Home Screen Pages

iOS allows you to hide entire Home Screen pages. To restore them:

• Long-press an empty area of your Home Screen to enter jiggle mode.
• Tap the row of dots at the bottom of the screen to open the page manager.
• Tap the circle beneath any greyed-out page thumbnails to re-enable them.
• Tap “Done” to save your changes and restore the hidden pages.

Restoring Apps Hidden via Focus Mode

Focus Mode, introduced in iOS 15, can restrict which apps appear on your Home Screen during specific activities. To reverse this:

• Open Settings and tap “Focus.”
• Select the Focus profile (e.g., Work, Personal, Sleep) that is hiding your app.
• Tap “Home Screen” under the Customize Screens section.
• Disable the custom Home Screen pages or add the relevant page back to the allowed list. If you’re also preparing a device to sell, it’s worth knowing whether keeping the original box helps your resale value.

Preparing Your iPhone Before Trading It In

When you’re ready to part with your iPhone entirely, a little preparation goes a long way - both for your privacy and for getting the best value on your trade-in.

Before handing over your device, take these key steps:

• Unhide any hidden apps - If you’ve tucked apps away in the App Library (a feature introduced in iOS 14) or hidden them from your home screen, make sure everything is visible and accounted for before the reset.
• Sign out of your Apple ID - Head to Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out. This disables Activation Lock, which is critical. A buyer or kiosk cannot fully use the device if your Apple ID remains linked to it.
• Perform a factory reset - Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. This wipes your personal data, photos, messages, and accounts from the device entirely.

With over 70% of smartphone users concerned about personal data privacy according to Statista, skipping these steps isn’t worth the risk. A full reset ensures your information doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.

Once your iPhone is wiped and ready, ecoATM kiosks offer one of the most convenient ways to trade it in for instant cash. You simply bring your device to a kiosk, receive an on-the-spot offer, and walk away with money in hand - no shipping, no waiting. As a bonus, ecoATM ensures your old device is handled responsibly through certified recycling practices, keeping electronics out of landfills.

Ready to find a location near you? Find a Kiosk and turn your old iPhone into cash today.