There are several levels of hiding an iPhone app. You can simply remove it from the Home Screen, hide an entire Home Screen page, use iOS 18 to lock or hide it behind Face ID, or restrict certain Apple apps with Screen Time.
These steps apply to iOS 17 and iOS 18. Hide and Require Face ID requires iOS 18 or later.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want an app less visible, private enough that someone cannot open it casually, or hidden from a child’s device with restrictions.
Remove an App from the Home Screen
- Touch and hold the app icon until the quick menu appears.
- Tap Remove App.
- Choose Remove from Home Screen.
- Find it later in the App Library by swiping left past the last Home Screen page, or search for its name from the Home Screen.
This keeps the app installed and searchable. It only removes the visible icon from the Home Screen.
Hide an Entire Home Screen Page
- Touch and hold an empty Home Screen area until icons jiggle.
- Tap the row of page dots near the bottom.
- Uncheck the page you want to hide.
- Tap Done, then Done again.
Every app on that page disappears from the Home Screen but remains available in Search and the App Library. Recheck the page to show it again.
Lock or Hide an App with Face ID
- On iOS 18 or later, touch and hold the app icon.
- Tap Require Face ID, Require Touch ID, or Require Passcode.
- Confirm to require authentication before the app opens.
- To hide it too, choose Hide and Require Face ID and confirm.
- Find hidden apps later in the locked Hidden folder at the bottom of the App Library.
The iOS 18 hide-and-lock option also hides notifications and content until the app is unlocked.
More Privacy Notes
Use Screen Time for Some Apple Apps
Some Apple apps cannot be removed normally, but Screen Time can hide allowed apps. Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and switch off supported apps.
Set a Screen Time Passcode
If restrictions are for a child, set a separate Screen Time passcode. Otherwise the settings can be reversed easily.
Notifications and Search
Removing an app from the Home Screen or hiding a page does not stop notifications or search results. Use Face ID locking if privacy is the goal.
Find a Missing App
Most “missing” apps are in the App Library. Search the app name, touch and hold the icon, and choose Add to Home Screen if you want it back.
Sources
- Apple Support: Hide and require Face ID for apps on iPhone
- Apple Support: Organize apps with the App Library
- Apple Support: Use Screen Time on iPhone