Want to keep some apps off your iPhone home screen without the hassle of deleting them? This guide provides clear, actionable steps to discreetly hide your apps, maintaining privacy and a cleaner interface.
Why Hide Apps Instead of Deleting?
Before diving into the how-to, let's understand why you might want to hide an app instead of deleting it. There are several compelling reasons:
- Temporary Inaccessibility: You might need to temporarily restrict access to an app, perhaps for personal reasons or to prevent distractions. Hiding it provides a quick solution without losing data.
- Data Preservation: Deleting an app often means losing unsaved progress, data, or important information. Hiding allows you to retain everything while keeping the app out of sight.
- Organized Home Screen: A cluttered home screen can be overwhelming. Hiding infrequently used apps helps maintain a clean and efficient interface.
- Privacy Concerns: Hiding apps offers a layer of privacy, preventing others from easily accessing sensitive information or applications.
Method 1: Using App Library (iOS 14 and Later)
This is the simplest and most recommended method for hiding apps on iPhones running iOS 14 or later.
Steps to Hide Apps using App Library:
- Locate the App: Find the app you want to hide on your iPhone's home screen.
- Long-Press & Re-arrange: Long-press on the app icon until it starts wiggling. This activates the "jiggle mode."
- Remove from Home Screen: Do not tap the "X" to delete. Instead, simply tap and drag the app icon off the home screen. You can move it to the bottom of the screen, where the suggested apps are.
- App Library Placement: The app will automatically move to your App Library. It remains installed and accessible but disappears from your home screen.
- Accessing Hidden App: To access it again, simply search for the app via Spotlight search or browse your App Library.
Method 2: Using Folders (For Older iOS Versions or Further Organization)
While the App Library is the preferred method for iOS 14 and later, you can use folders to group and visually hide apps, even on older iOS versions. This is less about true "hiding" and more about organization, but it still achieves a similar effect:
Steps to Hide Apps Using Folders:
- Create a Folder: Long-press on an app icon, then drag it on top of another app icon. A folder will be created.
- Add Apps to the Folder: Add all the apps you want to "hide" into this folder.
- Rename the Folder: Tap the folder's name to rename it to something innocuous or generic.
- Place it Out of Sight: You can then place the folder towards the end of your pages or in a less frequently used location on your home screen.
Note: This doesn't technically hide the apps; it just makes them less noticeable.
Boosting Your iPhone's Performance: Beyond App Hiding
While hiding apps improves organization and privacy, occasionally, your iPhone might need a performance boost. Consider these tips to optimize your device:
- Regularly Update Your iOS: Updates frequently include performance improvements and bug fixes.
- Uninstall Unused Apps: While you've learned how to hide apps, consider deleting apps you genuinely don't need to free up storage space.
- Restart Your Phone: A simple restart can often resolve minor performance issues.
- Manage Your Photos and Videos: Large media files can consume a lot of storage. Consider backing up and deleting unnecessary ones.
By combining app hiding techniques with good device management practices, you can create a smoother, more private, and efficient iPhone experience. Remember, the key is finding the method that best suits your needs and iOS version.
