# How do you hide apps on iPhone?

## Quick answer

On supported iOS versions, use Hide and Require Face ID on an eligible downloaded app. Removing its Home Screen icon only changes its location; it does not add a lock.

Updated: 2026-10-31

Canonical: /hide-apps

## Method

Authenticated Hidden folder

## Steps

1. Find the installed app on the Home Screen or in App Library.
2. Touch and hold its icon and inspect the available actions.
3. Choose Require Face ID, Touch ID or Passcode if offered. To hide an eligible downloaded app, choose Hide and Require Face ID and confirm.
4. Close the app, reopen it and check the authentication prompt. Review other devices separately.

## Limits

Preinstalled apps and some default apps cannot be hidden. Records can remain in Settings, purchase history and family controls. The setting does not sync to other devices.

[Provider instructions](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/iphone/iph00f208d05/ios)

## Find your app

| App | Installed type | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| [Photos](/apps/photos) | built-in | Use the Hidden collection for pictures and videos; app visibility and photo-library access are separate controls. |
| [Messages](/apps/messages) | built-in | Start with notification previews and the difference between a conversation and a saved attachment. A photo saved from a message can exist in Photos too. |
| [Safari](/apps/safari) | built-in | Private browsing, browser history and application visibility answer different privacy questions. The built-in browser is not an eligible downloaded app for the Hidden folder workflow. |
| [Notes](/apps/notes) | built-in | Distinguish locking an eligible application from protecting a specific note. The app-level menu does not establish the recovery rules for a locked note. |
| [WhatsApp](/apps/whatsapp) | downloaded | For a separately downloaded installation, inspect the iOS icon menu for locking or hiding. Eligibility and family or device restrictions determine which options are available. |
| [Instagram](/apps/instagram) | downloaded | Inspect the iOS lock or hide menu for the installed app. Removing its Home Screen icon leaves the app installed and does not change access through the account elsewhere. |

## Questions

### How do you hide apps on iPhone?

On supported iOS versions, use Hide and Require Face ID on an eligible downloaded app. Removing its Home Screen icon only changes its location; it does not add a lock.

### Does this erase copies elsewhere?

Preinstalled apps and some default apps cannot be hidden. Records can remain in Settings, purchase history and family controls. The setting does not sync to other devices.

### Will this change another device?

Check each device separately. App lock and hide status is device-specific; iCloud Photos can synchronize photo hidden status.

### Is this an independent password?

Device authentication is different from an independent app or vault password. Inspect the fallback offered.

### How should I verify it?

Practice with an ordinary sample, close the app and reopen it. Confirm both visibility and authentication before relying on the result.

### Can I reverse this?

Use the documented unhide or unlock action. Reversing visibility does not recover deleted content or revoke earlier sharing.

## Explore

- [How do you lock an app on iPhone?](/lock-apps)

- [Where are hidden apps on iPhone?](/find-hidden-apps)

- [How do you unhide apps on iPhone?](/unhide-apps)

- [How do you hide photos and videos on iPhone?](/hide-photos)

- [How to Hide Messages on iPhone: Previews, Alerts and Their Limits](/hide-messages)

- [How to Hide Notifications on the iPhone Lock Screen](/hide-notifications)

- [How to Lock Notes on iPhone: Device Passcode or Custom Password](/lock-notes)

- [How to Restrict Apps on iPhone with Screen Time](/block-apps)

## Private photo and document storage

For photos and documents you choose to store separately, explore [VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/).