You can tidy your iPhone by hiding apps from the Home Screen, tucking them into the App Library, or locking sensitive ones behind Face ID. Nothing gets deleted, so your apps and their data stay put and are easy to bring back.
What you'll need
- An iPhone
Step by step
- Remove an app from the Home ScreenPress and hold the app icon, tap 'Remove App', then choose 'Remove from Home Screen'. The app stays installed and still appears in the App Library.
- Open the App Library to find hidden appsSwipe left past your last Home Screen page to reach the App Library, where every installed app is grouped, even ones removed from the Home Screen.
- Hide an entire Home Screen pagePress and hold an empty area, tap the row of dots at the bottom, then uncheck a page to hide all the apps on it at once.
- Lock or hide an app with Face IDOn newer iOS versions, press and hold an app, choose 'Require Face ID' or 'Hide and Require Face ID'. Hidden apps move to a locked Hidden folder in the App Library.
- Restore a hidden appFind it in the App Library, then press and hold and choose 'Add to Home Screen', or turn the Home Screen page back on to reverse a hidden page.
Handy tips
- Set the App Library to hold new downloads automatically in Settings, Home Screen, so new apps do not clutter your pages.
- The Hidden folder lock only works on supported iOS versions, so update if you do not see the option.
FAQ
Does hiding an app delete it?
No. Hiding only removes the icon from view. The app stays installed with all its data and shows up in the App Library.
How do I get a hidden app back?
Open the App Library, find the app, then press and hold it and choose 'Add to Home Screen'.
Can I hide an app so it needs Face ID to open?
Yes, on newer iOS versions. Press and hold the app and choose 'Hide and Require Face ID', which locks it in a hidden folder.