now in IOS 18 update iPhone and iPad users can now protect their apps in an official and effective way. Apple provides a way to secure sensitive apps and their data using Face ID or passcode. This feature is not limited to protecting apps only, but extends to hiding personal information from prying eyes throughout the system. So how do you hide or lock your sensitive apps on iPhone in the official way?
In previous versions of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, the options for hiding apps were limited. Users could only remove apps from the Home screen, or use custom automation shortcuts to lock apps. Other options were available, such as locking specific content in Photos and Notes apps, as well as using Face ID or password protection built into some apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, and others. But with the launch of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, all that has changed. Everyone can now hide or lock certain apps, providing an extra layer of privacy and security.
These improvements greatly enhance users' ability to protect their personal data and sensitive apps, making Apple devices more secure and private than ever.
How to lock apps
◉ Find the app you want to lock on your Home screen, App Library, or Spotlight search, then touch and hold the app icon to bring up the quick actions menu.
◉ Select “Require Face ID,” “Require Touch ID,” or “Require Passcode,” and then tap it again in the confirmation message.
◉ If you're using Face ID, your iPhone will scan your face to confirm. If you're using a fingerprint, touch the fingerprint sensor to confirm. If you're using a passcode, enter your passcode to confirm. The app is now locked.
◉ Some apps, such as Calendar, Music, and Photos, will open a window with more information. It explains that other apps that have been granted access to the Photos and Music apps will still have access to them, and will continue to display content from them without any authentication. If you do not agree, tap (X) to cancel. Otherwise, tap the Done button to continue locking the app.
Things You Need to Know About Locked Apps
◉ Locked app information won’t appear in other places across iOS or iPadOS. This will prevent others from inadvertently seeing sensitive information. These places include, but are not limited to, notification previews, search, Siri suggestions, and call history.
◉ App Lock does not sync with iCloud. When you lock an app on one device, it will not be locked on another device unless you manually lock it on that device as well.
◉ Children under 13 in a Family Sharing group cannot lock their apps.
◉ Anyone ages 13-17 in a Family Sharing group can lock apps.
◉ Not all apps can be locked, we will detail this point in a moment.
How to unlock locked apps
◉ Tap the locked app icon on your Home screen, App Library, Spotlight search, or ask Siri to open the app.
◉ Your device will then instantly scan your face if you're using Face ID or ask you to touch the fingerprint sensor or enter your passcode.
◉ If biometric authentication (face or fingerprint) fails, you can try again or enter your passcode to open the app.
◉ You may also need to use your biometrics or passcode to open the app within other apps. For example, if you lock the Files app and want to attach a file to a note in the Notes app, you'll have to authenticate before the file browser opens.
How to hide apps
◉ Find the app you want to hide on your Home screen, App Library, or Spotlight search, then touch and hold the app icon to bring up the quick actions menu.
◉ Select “Require Face ID,” “Require Touch ID,” or “Require Passcode,” just like when locking apps, but this time, tap “Hide and Require Face ID,” “Hide and Require Touch ID,” or “Hide and Require Passcode” in the confirmation message.
◉ If you are using Face ID, your iPhone will scan your face to confirm. If you are using Touch ID, tap the Touch ID sensor to confirm. If you are using a passcode, enter your passcode to confirm. If an information window appears, tap Hide App to confirm. The app is now locked and hidden.
Details you need to know about hidden apps
◉ Like locked apps, information from the app won’t appear in other places across iOS or iPadOS. That way, others don’t accidentally see sensitive information. These places include, but aren’t limited to, notification previews, search, Siri suggestions, and your call history.
◉ Hidden app icons are no longer visible on your Home screen, App Library, Spotlight Search, and Siri.
◉ The name of the hidden app remains visible in device usage time, battery health in Settings, purchase history in the App Store, and a few other locations.
◉ Hidden apps don't sync with iCloud, so when you lock and hide an app on one device, it won't be locked and hidden on another device unless you manually lock and hide it on that device as well.
◉ Children under 13 in a Family Sharing group can’t lock and hide their apps. Anyone ages 13-17 in a Family Sharing group can lock and hide an app. However, a parent or guardian in the group can see the app as it’s downloaded, view how much time a teen has used it, and restrict access to it using Screen Time.
◉ Some apps cannot be locked and hidden. We will detail that in a moment.
How to open hidden apps
◉ To find and access your hidden apps, open the App Library and scroll down to the “Hidden” category and tap on it.
◉ Then authenticate with your face, fingerprint or passcode, and all the apps in the group will be visible. You can tap on the large icon in the group to authenticate and open the app or tap on the smaller icons to open the folder to see all the hidden apps.
How to open or show apps
◉ To open a locked app only, tap and hold it from the Home screen, App Library, or Spotlight Search.
◉ To open and reveal a hidden app, do so from the Hidden group in the App Library. Then select “Does not require Face ID,” “Does not require Touch ID,” or “Does not require Passcode.” Then authenticate, and the app will now be unlocked or revealed.
Apps you can lock and hide
◉ By default, you can lock and hide apps installed from the App Store. This includes any third-party app. For example, you can lock and hide Amazon, Facebook, Netflix, or any other app you have installed.
◉ Or any third-party application.
◉ You can also lock and hide Apple apps that are not pre-installed, such as: App Store, Apple Music Classical, Clips, Configurator, Developer, GarageBand, iMovie, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, Shazam, and Sports.
Apps you can lock but can't hide
◉ For some reason, Apple has restricted hiding most of its pre-installed apps but allows them to be locked. For example, Books, Camera, Files, Passwords, Photos, Reminders, and Wallet can be locked but not hidden.
◉ Also most of the pre-installed Apple apps.
◉ Surprisingly, this includes apps that are usually hidden from the home screen and the App Library. To lock these semi-hidden apps, search for them in Spotlight search, including: QR code scanner, as well as the Apple TV remote app
Apps you can't lock or hide
Some pre-installed Apple apps cannot be locked or hidden. This may change in future updates, but for now you cannot lock or hide these apps. They include: Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Settings, Shortcuts, and Clock.
There are other things that can't be locked or hidden, such as App clips, bookmarks from browsers, bookmarks from shortcuts, folders, and widgets.
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