How to Hide and Lock Apps on iPhone and iPad

It’s no secret that both mobile operating systems – Android and iOS – borrow functions from each other from time to time. However, one feature that Apple has failed to implement in iOS all these years is the ability to hide and lock apps. Fortunately, this has changed with the release of iOS 18, further demonstrating Apple’s commitment to privacy and security. This guide shows you how to hide apps on your iPhone and iPad and even lock them so others can’t access them.

Blocking apps on iPhone

In this method, you only need to lock the app on your iPhone or iPad and not hide it. If you don’t mind others seeing the application, but don’t want them to have access to it (perhaps due to sensitive information), follow these steps:

Touch and hold the app you want to block, then select Require face ID. Confirm your choice by selecting Require face ID again.

Note: If your iPhone or iPad doesn’t have Face ID but does have Touch ID, an option will appear Require Touch ID.

To do this, you’ll need to scan your face every time you open the app.

If you no longer want an app to require Face ID or Touch ID before opening it, touch and hold the app, then select Don’t require Face ID.

Hide apps on your iPhone

If you only want to remove an app from your iPhone’s Home screen, touch and hold the app, then select Delete applicationthen select Remove from Home Screen. Although the app has disappeared from the Home screen, it will still be visible in the App Library.

However, this is not ideal unless you also want others to see the application. To completely hide an app on your iPhone or iPad, touch and hold the app you want to block, then select Require face IDthen select Hide and require face ID.

Once you do this, the app will disappear from your home screen as well as your app library. Follow the same steps for all the apps you want to hide.

Note: Hiding apps turns off notifications from those apps.

How to access hidden apps

To access hidden apps, swipe left on your iPhone’s home screen to access Application Library. Scroll down and tap Hidden folder. Access a folder using Face ID or Touch ID.

Tap the desired application in the folder to launch it.

How to show apps

If you no longer want to hide the application, go to the section Hidden folder in the application library. Touch and hold the app you want to display, then select Don’t require Face ID to make it visible again.

Bonus: Hide apps from search and suggestions.

There may be times when you want to prevent an app from appearing in Spotlight search or from showing suggestions for that app. In such cases, follow these steps:

Open Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and tap Apple Intelligence and Siri on the menu. Scroll down and select Applications.

Find the app and turn off all the switches.

The app will no longer appear in search results or suggestions, but will still be available in the App Library.

Everyone has personal and sensitive information stored in certain apps on their phones. Whether it’s your banking app or the Notes app, hiding or locking it will prevent others on your phone from accessing it. This is also a good way to keep social media and gaming apps off-limits to your kids to reduce their screen time.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Sumukha Rao.