How to Hide Apps on iOS 18
If you’re an iOS developer, chances are you have apps on your phone that you don’t want others to see or access. Whether it’s a work app, a personal finance app, or just an app you prefer to keep private, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to hide it from prying eyes.
The Hidden Folder Trick
One of the easiest ways to hide apps on iOS is by using a hidden folder trick. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the App Library app on your phone.
- Tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
- Select “Create Folder”.
- Name the folder whatever you want to call it (just make sure to use the first letter of each word capitalized).
- Tap “Next”, then “Add Apps”.
- Scroll through your apps and select the ones you want to hide.
- Tap “Create Folder” again.
Now that you’ve created a hidden folder, you can move any app into it by dragging it from the Home Screen or App Library into the folder. To access the hidden folder, open the App Library and tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner, then select “Hidden Folder”.
Using iCloud Keychain to Hide Apps
Another way to hide apps on iOS is by using iCloud Keychain. This feature allows you to hide apps that are stored in iCloud, so they won’t be visible on your phone or other devices. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Scroll down and tap “App Library”.
- Toggle on “Hide Apps”.
- Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.
- Enable iCloud Keychain by toggling it on.
- Wait for all of your apps to sync to iCloud.
Once you’ve enabled iCloud Keychain, any apps that are stored in iCloud will be hidden from your phone and other devices. To access these apps, open the App Library app on another device and sign in with your Apple ID.
Using Screen Time Settings to Hide Apps
If you want to hide apps that you don’t want others to access when they pick up your phone, you can use the Screen Time settings feature. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Scroll down and tap “Screen Time”.
- Toggle on “Always Require Passcode for Home Screen & App Library Access”.
- Scroll down to “Add Passcode”.
- Enter a passcode of your choice (make sure it’s not something easily guessable).
- Repeat the passcode confirmation step.
- Toggle on “Require Face ID, Touch ID or Code”.
- Enter the passcode again.
Now that you’ve enabled the Screen Time settings, any apps that are installed on your phone will be hidden from others who don’t have access to the passcode. To access these apps, enter the passcode when someone tries to pick up your phone.
The Pros and Cons of Hiding Apps
While there are plenty of reasons why you might want to hide apps on iOS, there are also some pros and cons to consider before doing so. Here’s what you need to know:
- Privacy: By hiding apps that contain sensitive information or personal details, you can protect your privacy and prevent others from accessing it.
- Organization: Hiding apps that you don’t use often can help keep your phone organized and make it easier to find the apps you need when you need them.
