How to Hide an App on iPhone in the Hidden Folder

By Olena Kagui Thu, 11/14/2024

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

In the fall of 2024, Apple introduced a feature that lets users easily hide apps on iPhones running iOS 18 and later. One downside is that not all apps can be hidden. Another is that all your hidden apps go to a locked Hidden folder in the App Library.

Why You’ll Love This Tip:

  • Most but not all apps can be hidden using a feature introduced with the iOS 18 update.
  • Apps hidden using this method will appear in a Hidden folder in the App Library that can be unlocked using Face ID.

How Do You Hide Apps on Your iPhone

System Requirements

This tip works on iPhones running iOS 18 or newer. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS.

For a really long time, there wasn't a straightforward way to hide apps on iPhone, but the iOS 18 update introduced a brand new way to lock apps and hide them from the Spotlight search, your Home Screen, and the unlocked portion of the App Library. Here's how to hide an app on iPhone:

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  1. On your Home Screen or App Library, long-press the app you wish to hide.

    On your Home Screen or App Library, long-press the app you wish to hide.
  2. Tap Require Face ID.

    Tap Require Face ID.
  3. Select Hide and Require Face ID.

    Select Hide and Require Face ID.
  4. You will have to confirm that you wish to hide the app using Face ID and by tapping Hide app.

    You will have to confirm that you wish to hide the app using Face ID and by tapping Hide app.
  5. Any hidden apps will appear in the Hidden folder in the App Library, which is locked using Face ID.

    Any hidden apps will appear in the Hidden folder in the App Library, which is locked using Face ID.

That's it; you've hidden an app! If you're wondering how to unhide apps on iPhones, just open the Hidden folder in the App Library, follow the same steps, and select Don't Require Face ID. 

Now you know how to hide apps on your iPhone using the official method. If your iPhone won't let you hide your chosen app using the method above, check out our article on how to hide apps on iPhone in alternative ways. This official method will not work for apps including Settings, Shortcuts, Find My, Maps, Calculator, and Camera. Next, learn how to disguise an app by customizing app icons using the Shortcuts app.

More on Hiding Apps

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Topics

How-To
iPhone
Apple Apps
Third-Party Apps
Settings
Face ID & Touch ID
Privacy & Security

Author Details

Olena Kagui's picture

Author Details

Olena Kagui

Olena Kagui is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life. In the last 10 years, she has been published in dozens of publications internationally and won an excellence award. Since joining iPhone Life in 2020, she has written how-to articles as well as complex guides about Apple products, software, and apps. Olena grew up using Macs and exploring all the latest tech. Her Maui home is the epitome of an Apple ecosystem, full of compatible smart gear to boot. Olena’s favorite device is the Apple Watch Ultra because it can survive all her adventures and travels, and even her furbabies.