While iPhones don't feature a single "hide app" button like some other mobile operating systems, there are several effective ways to organize your iPhone 11 Pro to make apps less visible or accessible. These methods leverage built-in iOS features to help you declutter your Home Screen or restrict app usage.
Effective Methods to "Hide" Apps on iPhone 11 Pro
You can make apps less prominent on your iPhone 11 Pro using the following techniques:
1. Removing Apps from the Home Screen (Moving to App Library)
This is the most common way to "hide" apps without deleting them. Apps removed from the Home Screen are still accessible in your App Library.
- Steps:
- Long-press on the app icon you wish to hide.
- From the pop-up menu, tap "Remove App."
- Select "Remove from Home Screen."
- Outcome: The app icon disappears from your Home Screen but remains in your App Library (accessible by swiping all the way to the right on your Home Screen pages). You can find it there by searching or browsing categories.
2. Hiding Entire Home Screen Pages
If you have a whole page of apps you want to hide, you can conceal the entire page.
- Steps:
- Long-press on an empty area of your Home Screen until the apps jiggle.
- Tap the dots near the bottom of the screen (representing your Home Screen pages).
- Uncheck the circle beneath the Home Screen page(s) you wish to hide.
- Tap "Done" in the top right corner.
- Outcome: The selected Home Screen pages will no longer appear when you swipe. Apps on these hidden pages will still be available in the App Library.
3. Using Folders to Organize and Conceal Apps
Burying apps within folders on less-frequently accessed Home Screen pages is a simple way to make them less visible at a glance.
- Steps:
- Long-press an app icon until it jiggles.
- Drag that app icon on top of another app icon to create a folder.
- Continue dragging other apps into this folder.
- You can then drag this folder to a less-used Home Screen page or even a second or third page within the folder itself.
- Outcome: Apps are organized and less prominent, especially if placed in folders on later Home Screen pages.
4. Utilizing Screen Time for App Restrictions
Screen Time allows you to set limits on apps or restrict access to certain apps entirely, effectively making them unusable or hidden.
- Steps:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- If you haven't already, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and set it up, including a Screen Time Passcode.
- To set limits (making apps disappear after use limit):
- Tap "App Limits."
- Tap "Add Limit."
- Select the app category (or individual app) you want to limit.
- Set a very short time limit (e.g., 1 minute).
- Enable "Block at End of Limit."
- To restrict built-in apps (e.g., Safari, Camera, Wallet):
- Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions."
- Enter your Screen Time Passcode.
- Tap "Allowed Apps."
- Toggle off any built-in apps you wish to hide.
- Outcome: Limited apps will appear grayed out on the Home Screen and will be inaccessible once the time limit is reached. Restricted built-in apps will disappear from the Home Screen.
Understanding "Hide and Require Face ID" for Purchases
You might encounter information regarding a "hide and require Face ID" feature. This specifically relates to settings for App Store and iTunes purchases, ensuring security for transactions, rather than hiding app icons on your Home Screen.
As mentioned in the reference:
"MoreStore. Then Tap require Face ID. And tap hide and require Face ID. A screen will appear explaining that your app will require Face ID Touch ID or your passcode to reveal."
This snippet, from an Apple Support video titled "How to lock, hide, and unhide an app on iPhone or iPad," refers to settings within the iTunes & App Store Purchases section of your device. This feature allows you to:
- Require Face ID/Touch ID/Passcode for purchases: This adds a security layer to prevent unauthorized app downloads or in-app purchases.
- Potentially hide certain purchases from your purchase history within the App Store, making them less visible in your account's download list.
It's important to clarify that this particular "hide and require Face ID" setting is for securing and managing purchase history and future transactions on the App Store, not for concealing the app icons themselves from your Home Screen or App Library.
| Method | Description | Visibility of App Icon | Access Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove from Home Screen | Moves app to App Library, decluttering Home Screen. | Hidden from Home Screen, visible in App Library. | Search in App Library or browse categories. |
| Hide Home Screen Pages | Conceals entire pages of apps from view. | Hidden from Home Screen navigation, visible in App Library. | Unhide page or access via App Library. |
| Folders | Organizes apps into groups, making them less prominent. | Visible within folders, can be buried on later folder pages. | Navigate through folders. |
| Screen Time App Limits | Grays out and disables apps after a set time limit. | Icon remains visible but grayed out and inaccessible. | Await next day or enter Screen Time Passcode to extend. |
| Screen Time Allowed Apps | Removes built-in app icons (e.g., Safari, Camera) from the Home Screen. | Completely hidden from Home Screen. | Re-enable via Screen Time settings. |
| "Hide & Require Face ID" (App Store Settings) | Secures App Store purchases and can hide purchase history. | No impact on app icon visibility on Home Screen or App Library. | Face ID/Touch ID/Passcode for purchases/history. |
