How to hide apps on iPhone
If you have an iPhone, you probably have many applications installed on your device. But there are times when you may want to hide some apps for various reasons, such as privacy or simply to keep your screen clean and organized.
Hiding apps on iPhone is not difficult, but it does require some technical knowledge. In this article, I will show you how to hide apps on iPhone in different ways. I will guide you step by step through each method, so you can choose the one that works best for you.
In addition, if you want to restore hidden apps on iPhone in the future, I'll also show you how to do that.
Using folders
Folders are a useful tool for organizing apps on your iPhone and hiding those that you don't want to see on the home screen. Follow these simple steps to create a folder:
- Tap and hold an app that you want to move into a folder.
- Drag the app onto another app that you want to include in the same folder.
- A new folder containing both apps will be automatically created.
- You can rename the folder by tapping the folder name text and typing a new name.
- To add more apps, drag them into the same folder.
Remember that you can add up to 12 apps in a single folder. Additionally, you can create more than one folder to organize your apps as you prefer.
To access the apps inside a folder, simply tap the folder to open it. To close the folder, tap anywhere outside the folder window or press the Home button.
This way, you can hide all the apps that you have put in a particular folder without having to delete them from your iPhone. This is particularly useful if you want to hide some apps that you don't use often or that you don't want to show to others when they use your phone.
Hiding apps through settings
Another option to hide apps on iPhone is to use the device settings. This method requires a little more work, but it can be useful if you want to hide multiple apps at once.
Step 1: Create a hidden folder
The first step is to create a hidden folder that will contain all the apps you want to hide. To do this, follow these simple steps:
- Move all the apps you want to hide into a new folder. Make sure the folder is full and has no empty spaces.
- Rename the folder with a random name, such as "Utilities".
- Tap and hold the folder icon until it starts shaking.
- Tap on the name of the folder to edit it and delete all text.
- Press "Enter" on the keyboard. The folder now has an empty name.
This way you have created a hidden folder with no visible name.
Step 2: Hide apps in the empty folder
Now that you have created the hidden folder, you can start hiding apps inside it. Here's how to do it:
- Press and hold the icon of an app you want to hide.
- Drag the app onto the empty folder previously created.
- Release the app onto the empty folder. The app will be automatically moved inside the hidden folder.
- Repeat these steps for all the apps you want to hide.
Now all the apps that you have moved into the empty folder will be hidden and not visible on the home screen of your iPhone.
Step 3: Access hidden apps through the search bar
To access hidden apps, you need to use your iPhone's search bar. Here's how to do it:
- Swipe down from the home screen of your iPhone to access the search bar.
- Type in the name of the app you want to open in the search bar.
- The app will appear in the search results, tap it to open it.
This way you can access hidden apps without having to show them on your iPhone's home screen.
Using a third-party app
There are several third-party apps that allow you to hide application icons on your iPhone. One of the most popular apps for this purpose is "Poof", available on the App Store.
After downloading and installing the app, open it and you will see all your apps listed. To hide an app, simply turn off the switch next to it. The app will be removed from your iPhone's home screen but will not be deleted from the device.
To show the hidden app again, open Poof again and turn on the switch next to the app you want to restore. The app will reappear on your iPhone's home screen.
Note that some apps may require access to your iPhone's jailbreak to work properly. Also, when using a third-party app to hide application icons, you may encounter issues with future software updates for your device.
- Pros: Third-party apps are easy to use and allow you to quickly hide application icons without having to jailbreak your device.
- Cons: You may encounter issues with future software updates for your iPhone and some apps may require jailbreaking to work properly.
Conclusion
Hiding apps on iPhone can be useful for protecting your privacy and keeping your device organized. There are several options available, including using folders, disabling notifications or using third-party apps.
However, it is important to remember that hiding apps does not completely remove them from your device, and they can still be found with a quick search or through the use of the App Store. Additionally, some apps may not function properly if they are hidden.
Before hiding your apps, make sure to consider the pros and cons and choose the option that best suits your needs.
- Pros: Protects your privacy and keeps your device organized
- Cons: Apps can be found with a quick search or through the use of the App Store, and some may not work properly if hidden
In conclusion, hiding apps on iPhone can be a great solution to protect your privacy and keep your device organized. However, it is important to carefully evaluate the pros and cons before making a decision.
Michael Anderson - Software Engineer
My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.
My passion is sharing my knowledge in various areas, and my purpose is to make education accessible to everyone. I believe it is essential to explain complex concepts in a simple and interesting way.
With GlobalHowTo, I aim to motivate and enrich the minds of those who want to learn.
