As you all know, Apple is best for its security and privacy. With iOS 18, they have taken user privacy to the next level by letting them hide and lock the apps on iPhone. Once you lock an app, it can be opened only with your Face ID.
Apart from that, you can also remove the app from the home screen and keep it hidden in a folder in the App Library. Nobody can look at the apps in the hidden folder without your permission, as it requires your Face ID.
NOTE: This latest feature to hide and lock apps on iPhone is available only in the latest iOS 18 update which will be released soon. To use this feature immediately, you need to download the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone.
How to Hide Apps on iPhone With iOS 18
1. Move to the home screen on your iPhone.
2. Long press on the app that you want to hide and click Require Face ID.
3. Select the Hide and Require Face ID option from the menu that popped up.
4. Now, the app will disappear from the home screen.
To Unhide Apps
You can find the Hidden apps in the Hidden folder at the end of the App Library section. It requires your Face ID to unlock this Hidden folder and apps inside it.
1. Unlock the hidden folder with your Face ID and long-press the app to select Don’t Require Face ID.
2. Use your Face ID again to confirm the process and remove the app from the Hidden section.
3. Now, search for the app in the App Library. The app will display in the search results.
4. Drag and drop the app to your home screen to unhide the app on your iPhone.
How to Lock and Unlock Apps on iPhone With iOS 18
1. Unlock your iPhone to go to the home screen.
2. Press and hold the required app on your iPhone home screen.
3. From the appeared menu, choose Require Face ID. Now, the app will be locked on your iPhone.
4. To unlock the app, long-press it again and choose Don’t Require Face ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Face ID lock recognizes your face only with the eyes open and your full attention is on the front-facing camera.