Maybe it’s a dating app. Maybe it’s a budgeting tool. Perhaps it’s just something you don’t want others scrolling into.
Whatever the reason, hiding apps on an iPhone isn’t as simple as dragging them into a folder and calling it a day. iOS doesn’t give you a single “hide” option, but it does give you tools to make apps disappear from view.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to hide apps using built-in iPhone features, block them with Screen Time, remove them from search, and even lock them down for extra privacy.
Why hide apps on your iPhone?
Your iPhone knows a lot about you. So do your apps. Hiding them isn’t overkill—it’s smart, especially if you care about privacy or just want a cleaner setup.
Privacy and security reasons
Some apps deal with highly personal information like banking, health, messages, or location data. If someone else picks up your phone, even for a second, they could easily open something you’d rather keep private.
Hiding apps adds a quick layer of protection and reduces the chances of someone snooping or tapping on the wrong thing. It’s especially useful when handing your phone to kids, coworkers, or friends.
Organizing your home screen
Not every app needs to be front and center. Hiding apps you don’t use daily helps reduce clutter, keep your home screen clean and distraction-free, and help you focus on the tools that matter most.
Whether you prefer a minimalist layout or just want to reduce visual noise, hiding less-used apps is a simple way to stay organized.
Keeping work and personal apps separate
Using the same device for both work and personal life can be overwhelming. Hiding your work apps after hours can help you disconnect and set healthy boundaries. It also works the other way around—tucking away personal apps during work hours can limit distractions.
For parents, it’s a great way to install parental controls and limit what kids can see. And hiding those apps can remove the temptation for anyone trying to stay off social media.
5 best ways to hide apps on iPhone
Method 1 – hide apps on your iPhone’s home screen
You can quickly remove apps from your home screen without deleting them. You can still access them in the App Library, but they won’t appear front and center.
Using the App Library
- Tap and hold the app you want to hide.
- Tap Remove App.
- Select Remove from Home Screen.
- The app will move to your App Library and no longer appear on your home screen.
Moving apps into folders
This doesn’t fully hide apps, but it helps you tuck them away out of sight.
- Tap and hold the app until it starts to wiggle.
- Drag it onto another app to create a folder.
- Move the app to the second or third page inside the folder to make it less visible.
- Tap Done in the top-right corner when you’re finished.
Method 2 – hide apps from iPhone search and Siri suggestions
Even if an app is off your home screen, it can still show up in search or Siri suggestions. You can disable both to keep apps truly hidden.
How to disable app search visibility
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Scroll down to Apps and select the app you want to hide.
- Scroll down and press Search.
- Toggle off Show App in Search.
- Toggle off Show Content in Search (if available).
This will prevent the app and its data from appearing when you use the iPhone’s search bar.
How to remove app suggestions from Siri
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Scroll down to Apps and tap the app you want to manage.
- Toggle off Suggest App and Suggest Notifications.
This stops the app from popping up in Siri suggestions or appearing in Spotlight.
Method 3 – hide apps by changing the default download location
New apps go straight to your home screen by default. You can change it so they only appear in the App Library and keep them hidden by default.
Automatically sending new apps to the App Library
- Open Settings.
- Tap Home Screen & App Library.
- Under Newly Downloaded Apps, select App Library Only.
- Make sure to also switch off the toggle for Show on Home Screen.
Now, any apps you install will skip the home screen and stay hidden in the App Library until you manually add them.
Method 4 – hide apps by using Screen Time restrictions
Screen Time lets you block or limit access to certain apps. You can use it to hide apps based on age ratings or even disable specific ones entirely.
Setting up age-restricted app filtering
- Open Settings.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- If prompted, enter your Screen Time passcode.
- Tap App Store, Media, Web & Games.
- Tap Apps.
- Choose an age rating like 12+ or 9+.
Apps rated above that age will disappear from the home screen and search. You can adjust this anytime.
Blocking specific apps via Screen Time
- Open Settings.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Tap App Limits, then click on Add Limit.
- Choose the app or category you want to restrict, then tap Next.
- Set the time limit to your chosen timeframe, then tap Add.
Once the time runs out, the app will be locked and hidden unless you enter the Screen Time passcode.
Method 5 – lock and password-protect hidden apps
iPhones don’t support full app locking by default, but you have a couple of workarounds using built-in features like Shortcuts and Guided Access. These let you restrict access or temporarily lock apps with a passcode.
Using Shortcuts to lock apps
This method uses the Shortcuts app to create an automation that simulates locking an app.
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Tap Automation at the bottom.
- Tap New Automation.
- Tap App, then tap Choose. Make sure the Is Opened option is selected.
- Select the app you want to lock, then tap Done and Next.
- Under When App Is Opened, tap Next.
- Tap New Blank Automation, then select Controls.
- Scroll down and select Lock Screen, then press Done.
Now, every time someone tries to open the app, the iPhone will lock immediately.
Enabling Guided Access for temporary app locking
Guided Access limits your iPhone to a single app and lets you control what’s accessible.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Scroll down and tap Guided Access then Passcode Settings.
- Toggle on Guided Access, then tap Set Guided Access Passcode to set a passcode.
To activate it:
- Open the app you want to lock.
- Triple-click the side or home button.
- Tap Start in the top-right corner.
The app will now be locked in place. To exit, triple-click the button again and enter your passcode.
How to find and unhide apps on iPhone
Hidden apps aren’t gone—they’re just out of view. Here’s how to bring them back.
Finding hidden apps in App Library
- Swipe left on your home screen until you reach the App Library.
- Use the search bar at the top to type the app’s name.
- Tap the app to open it, or drag it back to your home screen if you want it visible again.
Apps that aren’t on your home screen but aren’t restricted will always show up here.
Searching for hidden apps
- From the home screen, swipe down to open the search bar.
- Type the name of the app.
- If the app appears, tap to open it directly.
If the app doesn’t show up, it may be restricted in your settings.
Removing app restrictions to unhide apps
- Open Settings.
- Tap Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted.
- Tap Allowed Apps or Content Restrictions, depending on how the app was hidden.
- Toggle the app back on or change the age limit to make it visible again.
Once you’ve removed restrictions, the app should reappear in your App Library and you can search for it again.
Extra tips for keeping your apps private
Hiding apps is a good start, but there’s more you can do to improve your privacy. These extra steps help tighten your iPhone’s privacy even further.
Using private browsing and VPN for more privacy
Even if your apps are hidden, your online activity might not be. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making it harder for apps, websites, and networks to track your activity.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap VPN & Device Management.
- If a VPN is set up, you’ll see it under VPN Configurations. If not, install a trusted VPN app and follow its setup instructions.
You can easily turn off a VPN on your iPhone by pressing the power button in the VPN app or heading to your Settings to switch the toggle off manually.
For extra privacy while browsing, use Safari’s private mode. This stops your browsing history and cookies from being saved:
- Open Safari.
- Tap the tabs icon in the bottom right.
- Tap Private, then tap Done.
Disabling notifications for hidden apps
Notifications can reveal what apps you’re using, even if those apps are hidden. To hide previews, alerts, and banners that could give away the app, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Scroll and select the app you want to silence.
- Toggle off Allow Notifications.
Using third-party app lockers for extra security
Apple doesn’t allow full app locking by default, but some third-party apps offer stronger privacy features. Just note that you’ll need to install them through the App Store and grant them permission to work properly.
Look for apps that include, PIN or biometric app locks, vaults for sensitive data, and decoy modes or hidden folders. Make sure you review their privacy policies and only use trusted developers.
FAQs: About hiding apps on iPhone
Can I hide apps on iPhone without deleting them?
Yes, you can hide apps without uninstalling them. Use the Remove from Home Screen option to send them to the App Library, or hide them from search and Siri suggestions in Settings. You can also restrict apps using Screen Time or change the download location so new apps don’t appear on your home screen. All these methods keep the app installed but out of sight, so you can still use them whenever needed.
How do I hide apps on my iPhone?
There are several ways to hide apps on your iPhone. You can remove them from your home screen, hide them from search and Siri, use folders to make them less visible, or apply Screen Time restrictions. Each method works a little differently, so the best one depends on your goal, such as privacy, organization, or limiting distractions. Consider adding extra security layers like app locks or VPNs to keep your activity private for even better protection.
How do I create a hidden folder on my iPhone?
iOS doesn’t offer true hidden folders, but you can still use folders to make apps harder to find. Just drag the app into a folder and move it to the second or third page inside that folder. Then swipe it off your main home screen or bury it among less-used apps. It’s not a full-proof method, but it works for casual hiding. Check out options like Screen Time or Guided Access for more advanced privacy tools.
How do I find hidden apps on my iPhone if I forget where they are?
The easiest way is to swipe down on your home screen and use the search bar. Just type the app’s name and it should appear if it’s still installed and not restricted. You can also check the App Library by swiping left past your home screen pages. If it’s still missing, go to Settings, Screen Time, and Content & Privacy Restrictions to see if the app is blocked under restrictions or age filters.
How do I permanently lock apps on iPhone?
There’s no built-in way to permanently lock individual apps on iPhone, but you can use workarounds. Guided Access can temporarily lock your screen to a single app, while Shortcuts automations can simulate a lock screen when certain apps are opened. For extra protection, third-party security apps can offer PIN locks, face ID, and privacy vaults. For more device protection, follow these Apple security tips to keep your iPhone secure.
Can I hide pre-installed apps on my iPhone?
Yes, you can delete pre-installed Apple apps. If the app can’t be deleted, you can still remove it from your home screen, hide it from search, or restrict it through Screen Time. Go to Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, and Allowed Apps to toggle off system apps like Safari, Mail, or FaceTime. Keep in mind that hiding or disabling core apps may affect other parts of your iPhone’s functionality.
How do I put apps in a hidden folder on my iPhone?
While iOS doesn’t support hidden folders, you can make apps less obvious. Create a folder, name it something uninteresting, and drag the app to a second or third page inside the folder. You can also combine this with removing the folder from your home screen, so it only lives in the App Library. It’s not foolproof, but it helps reduce visibility. For stronger privacy, use restrictions or a VPN to limit access and exposure.
Can someone still access my hidden apps?
If someone knows how to search or check your App Library, they can still find hidden apps, unless you’ve restricted them with Screen Time or locked them using Guided Access. Hidden doesn’t mean secure. To prevent access and boost your mobile security, you need to combine hiding with locking and disabling visibility in search.
Do hidden apps still receive updates and notifications?
Yes, hidden apps continue to function in the background. They still get updates through the App Store and may send notifications unless you manually disable them. To stop alerts from popping up, go to Settings, Notifications, choose the app, and turn off Allow Notifications. If privacy is your main concern, hiding apps alone isn’t enough. You’ll also need to manage permissions and disable alerts, and consider using a VPN to mask online activity.
Can someone see my hidden apps if they use my iPhone?
If someone has full access to your iPhone and knows what they’re doing, then yes, they can find hidden apps through search, the App Library, or the Settings menu. To block access entirely, use a Screen Time passcode to restrict apps or enable Guided Access to lock your phone to a single app. You can also remove apps from Siri suggestions and disable notifications to avoid drawing attention. Hiding apps is helpful, but it’s not a security measure on its own.
How do I hide apps on iPhone using age restrictions?
You can use age restrictions through Screen Time to automatically hide apps based on their App Store ratings. Go to Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, Content Restrictions, and Apps. From there, choose an age limit like 12+. Apps rated above that age will be hidden from your device until you adjust the setting again. This is especially useful for parental controls or hiding apps you only want accessible at certain times.
What is the best way to lock apps on iPhone?
The most effective method is combining Shortcut automation with Guided Access or third-party app lockers. Shortcuts can trigger your lock screen when a specific app is opened, while Guided Access can keep the phone locked to a single app with a passcode. For stronger, ongoing protection, use a trusted third-party app locker from the App Store. Just make sure it comes from a reputable developer and doesn’t compromise your privacy or data.
Can I unhide apps on my iPhone?
Yes, unhiding apps is easy. If you removed them from your home screen, go to the App Library, find the app, and drag it back. If it was hidden from Search or Siri, go to Settings, Siri & Search, tap the app, and toggle visibility options back on. If it’s restricted, open Settings, Screen Time, and adjust content restrictions or allowed apps.

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