In today’s digital age, our smartphones hold a wealth of personal information, and sometimes, you might want to keep certain apps away from prying eyes. Whether it’s banking apps, dating apps, or simply apps you don’t use often, hiding them can protect your privacy and reduce screen clutter. Apple provides several methods to hide apps on an iPhone, ranging from using the App Library to creating hidden folders. Here’s how you can keep your apps out of sight:
The App Library, introduced in iOS 14, automatically organizes your apps into categories and can help you hide apps from your home screen.
- Move Apps to the App Library:
- Long-press the app you want to hide until a menu appears.
- Select “Remove App.”
- Choose “Move to App Library.”
The app will no longer appear on your home screen but can be found in the App Library by swiping left until you reach the end of your home screens.
- Accessing Hidden Apps:
- Swipe left on your home screen until you reach the App Library.
- Use the search bar at the top to find the app quickly.
If you prefer a more traditional approach, creating folders can help hide your apps from plain view.
- Create a Folder:
- Long-press an app until it starts to jiggle.
- Drag the app onto another app to create a folder.
- Add the apps you want to hide into this folder.
- Move the Folder to Another Screen:
- While the apps are still jiggling, drag the folder to another screen, ideally one that is less frequently used.
Screen Time allows you to set limits and restrictions on app usage, which can be used to hide certain apps.
- Enable Screen Time:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Turn on Screen Time and set a passcode.
- Set Content & Privacy Restrictions:
- Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions and enable it.
- Select Allowed Apps.
- Toggle off the apps you want to hide. These apps will not appear on your home screen.
