How to Remove Apps from Spotlight Search

By Rachel Needell Updated 01/16/2024

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Spotlight Search allows you to search your apps but can also be used to search within an app. Each new app that you download is automatically added to Spotlight Search. However, you might not want some apps showing up in Spotlight Search, like the Notes app or the Photos app, in case they have private content.

Why You'll Love This Tip:

Avoid irrelevant search results by hiding the apps from Spotlight Search that shouldn't show up in results.
Keep sensitive apps or information private from Spotlight Search on your iPhone.

How to Disable Spotlight Search on iPhone for Certain Apps

System Requirements

This tip works on any iPhone SE 2nd Gen or newer running iOS 16 or later.

While you can't completely hide apps from the App Library or your iPhone's storage, you can hide them from showing up in a general Spotlight Search. If you like tips about using your Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day! Here's how to keep an app from showing up in Spotlight Search:

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On your iPhone, open Settings.
Tap Siri & Search.

Scroll down and select an app you'd like to hide from Spotlight Search.
Toggle off Show App in Search.

And that's all there is to it! It's super simple to keep apps and app content somewhat private by disabling them from showing up when someone searches your iPhone.

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Topics

Customization & Personalization

Author Details

Rachel Needell

Rachel Needell is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life, and a poet and author. With 10-plus years of experience working with Apple devices, she specializes in all-things iPad and is a Notes App expert, having worked on both the 2023 iPad Guide and the Notes App Guide. You can usually find her writing in the Daily Tip newsletter as one of our senior Tip writers. Rachel received her Master’s degree in English Literature in 2021 and her most recent work appears in the Winter ’21 edition of New Note Poetry. When she’s not obsessing about Apple products, you can find her voraciously reading fantasy books with her cat in Asheville, North Carolina.

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