Alex Ruben
How To Conceal Apps on iPhone Using a Hidden Folder
How to Hide Apps on iPhone (Secret Folder)
Hiding apps on an iPhone isn’t exactly straightforward if you’re expecting some secret “hidden folder” like on Android, but with iOS 18 and newer, Apple actually made it a bit easier. Still, it’s not as obvious as a dedicated hide feature, so sometimes you end up turning on Face ID or a passcode just to keep certain apps off the main screen. This can come in handy if you want to keep some personal stuff under wraps or just keep your Home Screen tidy without deleting apps entirely. Just keep in mind, hidden apps are technically still installed and accessible via the App Library and Siri if you know where to look. Anyway, here’s how to do it without making a mess.
How to Hide Apps on iPhone (Secret Folder)
Find the app you want to hide
First off, locate the app you want to keep under wraps. You can do this either from the Home Screen or by swiping left to get into the App Library. The App Library is a bit smarter at organizing stuff, but it can feel like hidden magic sometimes because not all apps are obviously hidden, especially if they’re in folders. On some setups, hiding often just moves the app behind the scenes and requires you to use Face ID or passcode.
Start the hiding process with Context Menu
Once you find the app, tap and hold (press and hold) until a shortcut menu pops up. You should see options like Remove App, Edit Home Screen, or possibly Require Face ID. If you’re using iOS 18+ and want a bit of privacy, this is where things get interesting.
- Tap Remove App — then in the prompt, pick Remove from Home Screen. This action just removes the app icon from the Home Screen but keeps it in your device and in the App Library.
- To actually add a layer of protection like Face ID or passcode, look for the option called Require Face ID or Require Passcode. This isn’t technically hiding the app but adding authentication to access it.
On some setups, this method automatically shifts the app to a Hidden folder in the App Library. Otherwise, it just hides the icon but can still be quite visible if someone searches or uses Siri.
Access and secure your hidden apps
To find those hidden apps later:
- Swipe left through your Home Screen pages into the App Library.
- Tap on the Search bar at the top, then type the app name.
- Tap the app, and if you set up Face ID or Passcode for it, you’ll be prompted to authenticate before it opens.
Note: If the app is really hidden, sometimes you might need to look in the Hidden folder that appears in the App Library. As a side note, on some iOS versions, the hiding feature is still a bit inconsistent — sometimes a reboot or a toggle here and there makes it stick better, because of course, Apple has to make life harder than it needs to be.
Unhide or make the app visible again
If you decide you want the app back on your Home Screen:
- Go to the App Library, locate the app in the Hidden folder or via search.
- Press and hold on the app icon, then choose Add to Home Screen or drag it directly onto your desired page. Surprisingly, this is still the way to unhide most apps without deleting them.
You can also unhide by going through Settings > Home Screen and toggling on Show All Apps, but that just reveals all hidden apps at once — not ideal if you’re trying to be sneaky.
Remove the Face ID or Passcode requirement
If you’re done and want to make the app more accessible without authentication:
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Privacy & Security or Face ID & Passcode.
- Scroll down to find the app (if it’s listed under Other Apps), and toggle off the option to require Face ID or Passcode for that app.
This sometimes requires toggling a global setting or adjusting the app’s permissions individually. Because Apple likes keeping us on our toes, the exact placement can vary, so poke around a bit if it’s not exact.
Extra Tips & Common Problems
- If Face ID isn’t working as expected, double-check that it’s set up properly in Settings > Face ID & Passcode. You’ll need to re-enroll your face, especially if your face changed or if you recently reset Face ID.
- Even hidden apps aren’t bulletproof — Siri and Spotlight search can still find them unless you go deeper into restrictions or Screen Time limits.
- Trying to hide system apps? Usually, not gonna happen. Apple doesn’t make this super easy for their own apps, so don’t expect to hide settings or Safari from the App Library.
Wrap-up
Hiding apps on iPhone is kind of a roundabout process, especially since it’s more about hiding icons and adding security perks rather than a dedicated secret folder. Still, with a bit of patience and some toggling, apps you want to keep private can be tucked away and protected. Just be aware that nothing is completely foolproof — other people can still stumble onto them if they really dig in or search for apps by name. But hey, it’s enough to maybe deter your nosy roommate or keep your browsing a little more discreet.
Summary
- Locate apps in Home Screen or App Library.
- Use Remove App and choose Require Face ID or similar for protection.
- Access hidden apps via Search or App Library, then authenticate.
- Unhide by adding back to Home Screen or toggling in Settings.
- Adjust Face ID/passcode requirements in Settings if needed.