How to hide apps on your iPhone

Whether you’re trying to clean up your home screen, kid-proof your phone, or add an extra layer of app privacy, learning how to hide apps on your iPhone® is a useful skill. Luckily, there are lots of different methods to make certain apps less visible without deleting them entirely.

At Asurion, we’re here to walk you through tons of iOS® tips and tricks to help you get more out of your phone. Our experts know tech inside and out and are ready to assist with everything from advice to repairs. In this guide, discover how to hide an app on your iPhone with Screen Time restrictions, the App Library, iPhone folders, and other options.

Hide apps using the App Library

Using the App Library is the easiest way to hide an app on iPhones. You don’t even need to go into the settings with this method. Just follow these steps:

1. Press and hold on the icon of the app you want to hide on your Home screen. This will bring up the home screen customization menu, where you can also manage app layouts and organize iPhone apps.
2. Select Remove App.
3. Select Remove from Home Screen.

Now the app won't appear on your Home screen, but you can find it in the Hidden folder at the bottom of your App Library.

Optionally, you can restrict app access with Face ID® to view or open the app. Just press and hold the icon of the app in your App Library and select Require Face ID. Then confirm your choice.

Hide apps from Search and Siri Suggestions

For even more privacy, hide apps from Search and Siri® Suggestions with these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
2. Select the app you want to hide and toggle off Show App in Search.

Hiding apps in the App Library with Face ID also hides apps from Search.

Hide apps using Screen Time restrictions

You can also use Screen Time restrictions for preinstalled app hiding with these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Select Allowed Apps & Features.
3. Turn off the app or apps you want to hide.

Note: This method only works for certain apps that come with the iPhone. As you explore iOS customization and how to set up your new iPhone, consider these app visibility settings. You can also use Screen Time to set limits on apps that reduce distractions or work as parental controls on children’s devices.

Organize apps into folders to reduce visibility

Using folders is a less secure option, but it will make your apps less visible and tidy up your Home screen:

1. Press and hold any app on your Home screen.
2. Select Edit Home screen.
3. Drag and drop an app you want to add to a folder on top of another app.
4. Tap anywhere else on your screen to exit editing mode.

Your phone will automatically suggest a name for the folder, but you can rename it. Open the folder and tap the name to edit.

Hide app purchases from the App Store

Even after hiding an app, it will still appear in your App Store® purchase history unless you follow these steps:

1. Open the App Store, then tap the My Account button with your initials.
2. Select Apps.
3. Search for the app you want to hide.
4. Swipe left on the app and press Hide.

Unhide apps on your iPhone

To find and unhide your hidden apps on iPhone, you can generally reverse the steps you used to hide them:

• For Siri hiding, go back into Siri settings and turn Siri Suggestions back on.
• For screen time restrictions, go back into Screen Time settings and turn on the apps you don’t want to hide.
• For apps hidden in the App Library with Face ID, tap and hold on the app in the Hidden folder. Then select Don’t Require Face ID and Add to Home screen.

Reach out to Asurion for tech help if you’re struggling with any iPhone settings like these.

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FAQ

Can hidden apps still send notifications?

No, once you hide an app by placing it in the Hidden folder in your app library, you won’t receive any notifications from that app.

Will hidden apps still run in the background?

If you have Background App refresh enabled for the hidden app, it will still update data in the background. However, the app preview won't be visible in your most recently used apps running in the background.

Can I make apps completely invisible?

You can hide apps on your iPhone in several ways without deleting them. However, no matter what method you use, installed apps will never be completely invisible.