How to Hide Apps on iPhone the Easy Way

Privacy and organization are essential when using an iPhone, and sometimes, you may want to hide certain apps for security, confidentiality, or simply to keep your Home Screen tidy. Whether you’re looking to conceal work apps from personal use, hide social media apps from prying eyes, or prevent children from accessing certain content, Apple provides multiple ways to keep your apps out of immediate sight without uninstalling them. With features like the App Library, Screen Time restrictions, and hidden folders, you can maintain better control over app visibility. Additionally, if you share your device with others or want to minimize distractions, these methods can be useful. Understanding how to hide apps effectively ensures that your device remains as private and clutter-free as possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it efficiently.

Why Hide Apps?

There are various reasons why someone might want to hide apps on their iPhone. Here are some common motivations:

Privacy Protection – If you use apps for sensitive activities such as banking, health tracking, or private messaging, you might not want them easily accessible to others who might borrow or glance at your phone. Hiding these apps ensures that only you can access them when needed, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or accidental exposure of personal information.
Parental Control – Parents often want to prevent children from accessing apps that may be inappropriate, distracting, or linked to purchases. Hiding social media apps, gaming apps, or streaming services can help ensure kids focus on educational or age-appropriate content while using the device. It also helps in limiting screen time when necessary.
Minimizing Distractions – Productivity can be significantly affected by addictive apps such as social media, games, or video streaming platforms. If you find yourself constantly checking notifications or getting sidetracked, hiding these apps can serve as a useful deterrent. It can help you focus on work, studies, or other important tasks by reducing easy access to distractions.
Work-Life Balance – Many professionals struggle with maintaining boundaries between work and personal life, especially when using the same device for both. Hiding work-related apps outside of office hours can help you mentally disconnect and avoid the temptation to check emails or messages. This can contribute to a healthier work-life balance and prevent burnout.
Shared Device Use – If you frequently share your phone with family members, friends, or colleagues, hiding certain apps can protect your privacy. Whether it’s a notes app containing personal thoughts, a dating app, or a financial management tool, keeping these apps hidden ensures that others don’t accidentally or intentionally open them while using your device.
Decluttering the Home Screen – A cluttered Home Screen can make it harder to find the apps you actually use frequently. Some people prefer a minimalist, organized interface with only essential apps visible. By hiding lesser-used apps, you can maintain a clean and aesthetically pleasing Home Screen while still keeping all your apps accessible when needed.
Security Concerns – If your phone is ever lost or stolen, hiding certain apps can add an extra layer of security. Sensitive apps containing banking details, personal documents, or private communications may be less likely to be accessed by an unauthorized user if they are not immediately visible on the Home Screen. This can help protect your information until you can remotely lock or erase the device.

1. Hide Apps from the Home Screen Using the App Library

Apple introduced the App Library with iOS 14, allowing you to remove apps from the Home Screen while keeping them installed.

Press and hold the app you want to hide.
Tap Remove App.
Select Remove from Home Screen (do NOT choose Delete App).
The app will now be accessible only in the App Library.

To find it later, swipe left through all Home Screen pages until you reach the App Library. Use the search bar to locate the app.

2. Hide an Entire Home Screen Page

If you want to hide multiple apps at once, you can conceal entire Home Screen pages.

Press and hold any empty area of your Home Screen until the icons jiggle.
Tap the dots at the bottom that represent your Home Screen pages.
Uncheck the page(s) you want to hide.
Tap Done.
To bring the pages back, repeat these steps and reselect them.

3. Use Folders to Disguise Apps

A simple trick is to bury an app inside a folder:

Drag one app onto another to create a folder.
Add the app you want to hide into this folder.
Move the app to the second or third page of the folder, making it less noticeable.

4. Hide Apps Using Screen Time Restrictions

Screen Time can be used to hide entire categories of apps or specific ones.

Open Settings > Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enable it.
Go to Allowed Apps and toggle off the apps you want to hide (only for Apple’s built-in apps).
For third-party apps, go to Content Restrictions > Apps and choose an age limit to filter certain apps (e.g., setting it to 12+ will hide apps rated 17+).

5. Hide Purchased Apps from App Store History

To prevent apps from appearing in your App Store purchase history:

Open the App Store.
Tap your profile icon > Purchased.
Swipe left on the app you want to hide and tap Hide.

6. Use a Secondary Apple ID

If you want to completely separate certain apps, you can create a secondary Apple ID and install those apps under that account. However, switching Apple IDs frequently can be inconvenient.

7. Using Guided Access (Temporary Hiding Method)

If you only need to hide an app temporarily while letting someone use your phone:

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
Enable it and set a passcode.
Open the app you want to show while hiding everything else.
Triple-click the Side or Home button and start Guided Access, locking the user into the app.

Can You Lock Hidden Apps?

While Apple does not natively allow password-protecting individual apps, you can use Screen Time App Limits to set a passcode for specific apps.

Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.
Choose the app category or specific app and set a short time limit.
Once the limit is reached, the app requires a passcode to open.

Final Thoughts

Hiding apps on an iPhone is easy, whether you use the App Library, Screen Time, or folders. If you need to conceal apps for privacy or security reasons, these methods will help you keep your Home Screen neat while ensuring your apps remain accessible when needed.