Sometimes you want apps off your iPhone home screen without deleting them. Maybe you do not use them often. Maybe you want a cleaner look. Maybe you do not want others to see them when you hand your phone over. Whatever the reason, here are the real ways to hide apps on iPhone.
Method 1: Hide From Home Screen (Send to App Library)
- Touch and hold the app icon on home screen.
- A menu pops up.
- Tap Remove App.
- Pick Remove from Home Screen (not Delete App).
The app disappears from home screen but stays installed in App Library. Swipe left past the last home screen to find App Library.
Method 2: Hide an Entire Home Screen Page
- Touch and hold empty space on home screen until icons jiggle.
- Tap the row of dots at the bottom (the page indicator).
- You see thumbnails of all your home screen pages.
- Uncheck the page you want to hide.
- Tap Done.
The hidden page disappears but apps on it stay installed. You can re-show it later through the same path.
Method 3: Hide From Search and Siri Suggestions
Even hidden apps show up when you search Spotlight. To stop that:
- Open Settings > Siri and Search.
- Scroll down to find the app.
- Tap the app name.
- Turn off Show App, Show Content in Search, Suggest App, Show on Lock Screen and Show in Look Up.
Now the app does not show up in search or suggestions either.
Method 4: Hidden Folder (Face ID Required)
iOS 18 introduced a Locked and Hidden folder in App Library.
- Touch and hold the app icon.
- Pick Require Face ID.
- From the menu, you can choose Hide and Require Face ID.
- The app moves to the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library.
- The folder requires Face ID to open.
The app is invisible in search, Siri suggestions and the regular App Library. Only accessible through the Face ID protected folder.
Method 5: Use Screen Time to Block
- Settings > Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions.
- Turn on Content and Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap Allowed Apps.
- Turn off the apps you want to block.
The app icon disappears from home screen and App Library entirely. Re-enable in the same place to bring it back.
How to Find Hidden Apps Later
- Swipe to App Library, scroll all the way down for the Hidden folder.
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage. All installed apps show here.
- Use Siri. Say Open [app name] if you remember it.
Tips for Privacy
- Hidden apps still show up in your Apple ID purchase history.
- Notifications can leak app names if not turned off.
- App Library shows app names even when icons are hidden from home screen.
- For real privacy, use Face ID locked folder plus turn off notifications.
Final Thoughts
To hide apps on iPhone, the best method depends on what you want. Remove from Home Screen for quick declutter. Hide a whole page for big batches. Locked and Hidden folder for privacy. Screen Time for blocking. Use Siri and Search settings to stop hidden apps showing up everywhere.
If you have a creative way to organize hidden apps, share it in the comments.