Why You Might Want to Hide Apps on Your iPhone

There are numerous reasons why someone would want to hide apps on their iPhone. Here are a few:

• Privacy: If you have sensitive apps like banking, messaging, or personal journals, hiding them can keep them out of sight.
• Organization: A cluttered home screen can be overwhelming. Hiding apps can help you keep only the most important ones visible.
• Parental Controls: Parents might want to hide certain apps from their children to restrict access to inappropriate content.
• Minimalism: Some users prefer a clean and minimalistic aesthetic, opting to hide apps that they rarely use.

Methods to Hide Apps on iPhone

Now that you understand the reasons for wanting to hide apps, let’s delve into the various methods to achieve this. Each method has its own advantages, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

1. Using the App Library

With iOS 14 and later, Apple introduced the App Library feature, which allows you to keep your home screen clean while still having access to all your apps.

To use the App Library to hide apps:

1. Press and hold the app icon you want to hide until the options menu appears.
2. Tap Remove App.
3. Select Remove from Home Screen.

This will remove the app from your home screen but keep it accessible in the App Library. You can find it by swiping left past your last home screen page.

2. Creating Folders to Hide Apps

Another effective way to hide apps on iPhone is by creating folders. You can group similar apps together and then hide them away in a folder.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Press and hold an app icon until it jiggles.
2. Drag the app on top of another app you want to group it with. This will create a folder.
3. To add more apps to this folder, simply drag them into the folder.

To make it less visible, you can place the folder on a secondary page of your home screen or in a less accessible location.

3. Hiding Apps Using Screen Time

If you're looking to hide apps for privacy reasons, using Screen Time is an effective method. It allows you to set restrictions on app usage.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Screen Time.
3. Tap App Limits and then Add Limit.
4. Select the category or specific apps you want to limit and tap Next.
5. Set the time limit to a very low amount (like 1 minute) and tap Add.

This will effectively hide the app after the time limit is reached, making it less accessible.

4. Hiding Apps in Settings

For users who want to hide built-in apps like Safari, Notes, or Stocks, you can do this through the Settings app. This is particularly useful for parents who want to restrict access to certain features.

Here’s how to hide built-in apps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Screen Time.
3. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
4. Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions at the top.
5. Go to Allowed Apps and toggle off the apps you want to hide.

Once you toggle off the apps, they will no longer appear on your home screen.

5. Hiding Apps Using Siri Suggestions

iOS also offers the option to hide apps from Siri suggestions. If you want to make sure certain apps don’t show up in search results or suggestions, you can disable them.

To do this:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Siri & Search.
3. Scroll down to find the app you want to hide.
4. Toggle off the options for Show in Search, Show in Suggestions, and Show in App Library.

This won’t remove the app from your device, but it will keep it out of sight in searches and suggestions.

6. Hiding Apps on Different Home Screen Pages

If you simply want to hide apps from your main page but keep them on the device, you can move them to different home screen pages.

To do this:

1. Press and hold the app icon until it jiggles.
2. Drag it to the right edge of the screen to move it to another page.
3. Release it on the new page.

You can create multiple pages for different categories of apps, keeping your main screen organized and less cluttered.

Tips for Managing Hidden Apps

Once you’ve hidden apps on your iPhone, you might want to keep things organized. Here are some tips:

• Regularly Review Your Hidden Apps: Take time to revisit your hidden apps to see if you still want to keep them hidden.
• Create a System: Whether it’s by category or frequency of use, having a system can help you manage your apps better.
• Backup Your iPhone: Before making significant changes, ensure that your iPhone is backed up. This way, you can restore it if needed.
• Utilize Folders Wisely: Don’t just throw apps into a folder. Consider naming folders based on their use to make navigation easier.

Conclusion

Learning how to hide apps on iPhone can significantly enhance your device’s organization and privacy. Whether you choose to use the App Library, create folders, or employ Screen Time restrictions, there are numerous strategies available to suit your needs. By implementing these methods, you can maintain a cleaner home screen and keep your sensitive information secure.

Remember to periodically review your hidden apps, ensuring that your iPhone remains organized and tailored to your preferences. Happy hiding!