In iOS 18, you possibly can cover and lock apps in your iPhone. You’ll be able to cover apps so that they’re utterly invisible, and you may lock all types of apps so that they require Face ID to open.
Why would you need to? Perhaps you might have delicate content material you don’t need anybody to see, otherwise you don’t need anybody to know you’re utilizing courting or hookup apps. Hiding apps can also be good for staying off social media or away from addictive video games. Plus, it’s a good way to declutter your Dwelling Display screen. You’ll be able to actually clear issues up with out deleting apps chances are you’ll need to hold.
There are, nonetheless, a couple of important apps in your cellphone that can’t be hidden. Right here’s the way it all works.
Tips on how to cover apps on iPhone
To begin with, this function requires iOS 18 — accessible now in Settings > Common > Software program Replace. The replace will work with any system at present operating iOS 17.
There are literally two ranges of hiding apps in your iPhone in iOS 18:
- Lock: You’ll be able to lock an app with Face ID. The app will stay seen in your Dwelling Display screen and also you’ll proceed to see notifications. However with a purpose to open it or see the app, you’ll must authenticate with Face ID. (On older units, this may work the identical method with Contact ID.)
- Conceal: Hiding an app is extra aggressive. The app will disappear out of your Dwelling Display screen, App Library, notifications, Display screen Time historical past and search. You’ll be able to solely discover it inside a particular Hidden Apps folder on the backside of the App Library, which requires Face ID (or Contact ID) to open. After you swipe away from the app, you gained’t see it within the app switcher — it’s a must to return to the Hidden Apps folder to search out it once more.
Lock an iPhone app with Face ID or Contact ID
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If you wish to lock an iPhone app, faucet and maintain on an app icon in your Dwelling Display screen or within the App Library. Faucet on the brand new possibility that claims Require Face ID. You’ll see an explanatory pop-up that claims, “This app will require Face ID or your passcode to open or show content in other apps. App content will not appear in notification previews or Spotlight.”
Faucet Require Face ID once more to lock the app.
Conceal an iPhone app with Face ID or Contact ID
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
If you wish to cover an iPhone app, and the app is accessible to be hidden (extra on that later), you’ll see an additional possibility that claims Conceal and Require Face ID. In the event you choose this selection, you’ll see an extra pop-up sheet that claims, “This app will no longer be visible on your iPhone, except in a few places such as Settings. Face ID or your passcode will be required to reveal, open, or use Siri with the app.”
Faucet Conceal App once more to banish it to the Hidden Apps folder.
The place to search out your hidden apps on iPhone
If you need to use one in every of your hidden apps, swipe previous your Dwelling Display screen to the App Library (hold swiping left till it seems). Scroll all the way in which to the underside to search out your Hidden Apps folder. Faucet on it to unlock the folder. If Face ID or Contact ID fails twice in a row, you possibly can enter your passcode.
The hidden apps will seem after you unlock the folder. You’ll be able to open them up from right here. If the folder is empty, it simply appears to be like clean.
As quickly as you swipe again to your Dwelling Display screen or one other app, the hidden folder will lock once more. There’s no grace interval. It may be annoying if one of many apps you’ve hidden is one you open regularly, however that’s the value you pay for safety.
Tips on how to un-hide or unlock apps
To revert a hidden iPhone app again to its regular, non-incognito state, faucet and maintain on the app’s icon and choose Don’t Require Face ID. You’ll must do one final Face ID scan to unlock it and set it again to regular. Use the identical process to unlock a beforehand locked app.
What are you able to cover or lock?
All apps downloaded from the App Retailer (and different app marketplaces), together with Apple’s personal apps (like Apple Music Classical and Ultimate Lower Digital camera) could be each locked and hidden.
Nonetheless, many of the inventory apps that include the system — like Messages, Telephone, Music, Podcasts and Safari — could be locked, however can’t be hidden. Some, like Telephone or Messages, are simply too important to the essential operation of your system.
A small (and curious) number of apps can’t be hidden or locked in any respect:
- Calculator
- Digital camera
- Clock
- Discover My
- Magnifier
- Maps
- Settings
- Shortcuts
- Watch
In different phrases, strive to not put any delicate data in your alarm clock, Maps search historical past or … calculations.
Extra prime options in iOS 18
Now that you just’ve realized learn how to cover apps in your iPhone, take a look at extra new iOS 18 options:
And take a look at the complete checklist for much more.
We initially printed this put up on learn how to cover apps on iPhone in iOS 18 on August 6, 2024. We up to date the data.
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