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How to Hide Apps on iPhone Without Deleting – A Comprehensive Guide

How to Hide Apps on iPhone Without Deleting

Do you have apps on your iPhone that you rarely use but don’t want to delete? Or perhaps you want to keep certain apps private from prying eyes? Many iPhone users face the same dilemma. The good news is that you can hide iPhone apps without having to delete them. This article will provide you with several effective methods to declutter your home screen and protect your privacy.

We’ll explore simple techniques like using the App Library, organizing apps into folders, and employing more advanced features like Restrictions (Screen Time). By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to hide iPhone apps in a way that best suits your needs and preferences.

Why Hide Apps Instead of Deleting Them?

Before diving into the methods, let’s understand why you might want to hide iPhone apps rather than deleting them entirely. There are several compelling reasons:

Preserving Data: Deleting an app often means losing its data, settings, and progress. If you plan to use the app again in the future, hiding it allows you to pick up where you left off.
Subscription Management: Some apps are tied to subscriptions. Deleting the app might not cancel the subscription, leading to unnecessary charges. Hiding the app allows you to keep the subscription active without the visual clutter.
Occasional Use: Certain apps are only needed occasionally, such as travel apps or specialized tools. Hiding these apps keeps them accessible without cluttering your home screen.
Privacy Concerns: You might want to hide iPhone apps that contain sensitive information or apps you simply don’t want others to know you use.
Decluttering: A clean and organized home screen can improve your focus and make it easier to find the apps you use most frequently.

Method 1: Using the App Library to Hide Apps

The App Library, introduced in iOS 14, is a powerful feature that automatically organizes your apps into categories. It also provides a simple way to hide iPhone apps from your home screen.

Moving Apps to the App Library

This is the easiest and most straightforward method to hide iPhone apps.

Locate the App: Find the app you want to hide on your home screen.
Long Press: Tap and hold the app icon until a menu appears.
Select “Remove App”: Choose the “Remove App” option from the menu. Note: This does not delete the app.
Choose “Move to App Library”: Select the “Move to App Library” option.

The app will now disappear from your home screen and reside only in the App Library. You can access it by swiping left past your last home screen page.

Removing Home Screen Pages Entirely

Another way to leverage the App Library is to hide entire pages of apps.

Enter Jiggle Mode: Tap and hold on an empty area of your home screen until the app icons start to jiggle.
Tap the Page Indicator: Look for the row of dots at the bottom of the screen representing your home screen pages. Tap on these dots.
Uncheck the Pages: A screen will appear showing all your home screen pages. Uncheck the boxes below the pages you want to hide.
Tap “Done”: Tap the “Done” button in the top right corner.

This will hide the selected home screen pages and all the apps on them. They will still be accessible through the App Library.

Method 2: Organizing Apps into Folders

Creating folders is a classic way to declutter your home screen and hide iPhone apps that you don’t use frequently. While this method doesn’t technically *hide* the apps, it makes them less visible and keeps your home screen organized.

Creating and Using Folders

Enter Jiggle Mode: Tap and hold on any app icon until the icons start to jiggle.
Drag and Drop: Drag one app icon on top of another app icon that you want to group together. This will automatically create a new folder.
Name the Folder: The folder will open, allowing you to give it a name (e.g., “Utilities,” “Games,” “Social”).
Add More Apps: Drag and drop additional apps into the folder.
Exit Jiggle Mode: Tap anywhere on the screen outside the folder to exit jiggle mode.

You can create multiple folders and organize your apps based on category, usage frequency, or any other criteria that suits your needs. You can even bury folders within folders for an extra layer of “hiding.”

Burying Folders for Added Privacy

To further hide iPhone apps within folders, you can place folders containing less frequently used apps inside another folder. This makes it less obvious that certain apps are even installed.

Method 3: Using Restrictions (Screen Time) to Hide Apps

The Screen Time feature in iOS offers powerful parental control options, including the ability to restrict access to certain apps. This can be used as a method to effectively hide iPhone apps from view.

Setting Content & Privacy Restrictions

Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap “Screen Time”: Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time.”
Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions”: Scroll down and tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” If it’s off, toggle it on.
Tap “Allowed Apps”: Tap on “Allowed Apps.”
Disable Apps: You’ll see a list of default apps. Toggle off the apps you want to hide. For example, if you disable Safari, the Safari app icon will disappear from your home screen.

This method completely removes the app icon from your home screen. The app will not be searchable, nor will it appear in the App Library while restricted. To access the app again, simply re-enable it in the “Allowed Apps” settings.

Restricting Apps By Age Rating

Another way to utilize Screen Time is to restrict apps based on age rating. This can hide apps that are rated higher than a specified age group.

Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap “Screen Time”: Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time.”
Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions”: Scroll down and tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” If it’s off, toggle it on.
Tap “Content Restrictions”: Tap on “Content Restrictions.”
Tap “Apps”: Under “Allowed Store Content” tap on “Apps”.
Choose an Age Rating: Select the maximum allowed age rating. For instance, selecting “4+” will hide all apps with higher age ratings.

This approach requires knowing the age rating of the apps you want to hide. Any app with a higher rating will be hidden from the home screen. To make the apps visible again, increase the age rating limit.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Apps (Proceed with Caution)

While the built-in iPhone features provide ample options to hide iPhone apps, some third-party apps claim to offer additional features, such as password protection for individual apps or creating a “secret” app vault. However, it’s important to exercise extreme caution when using such apps.

Risks of Using Third-Party App Hiders

Security Risks: Many of these apps require access to sensitive data, such as your app usage patterns and potentially even your login credentials. This poses a significant security risk.
Privacy Concerns: The app developer could collect and sell your data without your knowledge or consent.
Malware: Some app hiders may contain malware that can compromise your device’s security.
Instability: Third-party apps can sometimes be unstable and cause your iPhone to crash or malfunction.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended to avoid using third-party apps specifically designed to hide other apps. The built-in methods described above are generally safer and more reliable.

Troubleshooting: Apps Still Visible?

Sometimes, even after following the steps above, apps may still appear in unexpected places. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Spotlight Search: Even if an app is hidden from the home screen, it might still appear in Spotlight search results. To prevent this, go to Settings > Siri & Search, select the app, and toggle off “Show App.”
App Store: If you search for an app in the App Store, it will show “Open” if it’s installed, even if it’s hidden. This is unavoidable.
Check Restrictions Settings: Double-check your Screen Time settings to ensure the restrictions are properly configured.
Restart Your iPhone: A simple restart can sometimes resolve unexpected behavior.
iOS Updates: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Sometimes, bugs in older versions can cause apps to be displayed incorrectly.

Conclusion: Choose the Best Method to Hide iPhone Apps for Your Needs

There are several effective ways to hide iPhone apps without deleting them. Whether you prioritize simplicity, privacy, or organization, there’s a method that suits your needs.

The App Library offers the easiest way to declutter your home screen. Organizing apps into folders helps to group related apps together. Screen Time provides the most robust privacy controls by completely removing app icons from view. Avoid third-party apps due to the inherent security risks.

By following the techniques outlined in this guide, you can take control of your iPhone’s home screen, protect your privacy, and enjoy a cleaner, more organized mobile experience. Experiment with different methods to find the perfect balance for you. Now you can confidently hide iPhone apps and enjoy a customized and private user experience.

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