How to Hide Apps on iPhone or iPad and Find Them Later

The ability to hide apps from your iPhone or iPad home screen has become more sophisticated with newer iOS versions. Here, we'll walk you through the detailed process of hiding apps on iPhone or iPad and how to retrieve them later.

Hiding Apps with iOS 16 and Above

Since iOS 16, you can hide apps from your Home Screen App Library and also from Spotlight search. This feature allows you to organize your apps to keep your home screen neat and tidy without deleting them. Here’s how you can hide apps:

Tap and hold on the app icon you want to hide. Select the "Remove App" option. Select"Hide App". Tap"Done" to confirm your action.

After hiding an app, you can still access it through the App Library and via Spotlight search. This is a handy way to manage your apps when you want to keep a certain level of organization on your home screen.

Hiding Apps with iOS 14

With iOS 14, you have the ability to hide apps from your home screen without deleting them. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the App Store app on your iPhone. Tap on the Today tab. Tap on your Avatar icon in the top right corner. Tap on the Purchased section. Swipe left on the app you want to hide to reveal the hide option and tap on it. Tap"Hide" to hide the app. Tap"Done" to save your actions.

Unhiding Hid Apps

When you want to access a hidden app later, follow these steps:

Open the App Store app. Tap on the Today tab. Tap on your Avatar icon in the top right corner. Select yourApple ID. Scroll down to the Hidden Purchases section. Find the app you want to redownload and tap on it.

The app will be redownloaded to your device, and you can add it back to your home screen or App Library.

Why Use This Feature?

Hiding apps can be beneficial for several reasons:

Organizing your home screen: Keeps your home screen neat and tidy without deleting useful apps. Temporary removal: If an app needs maintenance or updates, you can temporarily hide it until it is fixed or updated. Security: Hiding apps can prevent unauthorized access or accidental use.

By using the features available in iOS, you can maintain a clean and organized device experience. Hiding and unhiding apps is a quick and efficient way to keep your device organized while still having access to all your essential apps.