App Control: Block, Hide, and Unhide Apps on Your iPhone or iPad

With the release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 for iPhone and iPad, Apple introduced a set of powerful new features designed to enhance privacy and give you more control over your app usage. These features allow you to: block apps using Face ID, Touch ID or passcode, and hide apps from the home screen, providing an unprecedented level of security and personalization.

• Lock apps to protect your sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access
• Hide apps to declutter your home screen and reduce distractions
• Easily unlock and show apps when you need them

Apple’s video walks you through how to lock, unlock, hide, and unhide apps on your iPhone or iPad so you can take full advantage of these privacy-enhancing features.

Locking apps for added security

Locking an app on your iPhone or iPad is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. To lock an app, simply touch and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then select “Require Face ID”. Once you block an app, its content will be hidden from notifications and Spotlight search results, ensuring your sensitive information remains safe and inaccessible without proper authentication.

• Locking an app prevents unauthorized access to its content.
• Blocked app content is hidden in Spotlight notifications and search results
• Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode required to access locked apps

This feature is especially useful for apps that contain personal or confidential data, such as banking apps, email clients, or private messaging services.

Unlock apps when you need them

When you need access to a locked app, the process is as simple as locking it. To unlock the app, touch and hold the app icon again, then select “Don’t require Face ID”. Once unblocked, the app’s content will reappear in Spotlight search results, making it accessible again. This feature lets you control when and how app data is visible, balancing security with convenience.

• Unlocking the app makes its content accessible again
• Unlocked app content reappears in Spotlight search results
• Easily switch between locked and unlocked states as needed

By unlocking apps when you need them, you can ensure you have access to important information while maintaining a high level of privacy and security.

Hiding apps for a tidy home screen

In addition to locking apps, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 also let you hide apps from your Home screen. To hide an app, touch and hold the app icon and select “Require Face ID”followed by “Hide”. Then the app will be moved to a hidden folder in the App Library, and notifications and alerts from the app will be disabled. This feature is especially useful for hiding certain apps and reducing distractions, helping to keep your home screen clutter-free.

• Hiding an app removes it from your home screen
• Hidden apps are stored in a dedicated folder in the App Library
• Notifications and alerts from hidden apps are disabled

By hiding apps you rarely use or would rather keep secret, you can create a more streamlined and personalized app experience.

Discover apps for easy access

When you need access to a hidden app, the process is simple and intuitive. To reveal the app, go to the hidden folder in the app library and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. Then touch and hold the app and select “Add to Home Screen” AND “Discover”. The app will return to the home screen and resume normal functionality, including notifications.

• Unhiding an app brings it back to the home screen
• Authentication is required to access hidden applications
• Discovered apps resume normal functionality, including notifications

This feature ensures that hidden apps can be easily recovered when needed, while also providing privacy and organization by hiding them in advance.

App Control: Block, Hide, and Unhide Apps on Your iPhone or iPad

It’s important to note that not all apps support these features, and some may have limited functionality when locked or hidden. However, for the vast majority of apps, these new features in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 provide a powerful set of tools for enhancing privacy and customizing the app experience.

• Most iPhone and iPad apps support locking and hiding features
• Some apps may have limited functionality when locked or hidden
• Hidden apps are organized in a dedicated folder in the App Library

Using these features, you can take control of your app’s privacy and visibility, ensuring your sensitive information stays safe and your home screen stays clutter-free. Whether you want to protect sensitive data or simply streamline app performance, the app locking and hiding features in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 provide a powerful and intuitive solution.

Photo Credit and Source: Apple Support

Filed under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides

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