Handing an unlocked iPhone to someone to make a quick phone call, enter an address in Maps, or play a game often introduces acute privacy concerns. Personal financial applications, dating profiles, messaging platforms, and private health trackers remain vulnerable to accidental taps or inquisitive eyes. Prior to iOS 18, protecting individual apps required convoluted workarounds using Screen Time passcodes or Shortcuts automations.
With iOS 18, Apple introduced native, system-level privacy controls that allow you to Lock and Hide any application on your iPhone. Locked apps require Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode before opening. Hidden apps vanish entirely from your Home Screen, Spotlight Search, and Settings lists, residing in a biometrically locked folder in the App Library. This guide explains how to set up both protection levels.
Understanding the Difference Between Locking and Hiding
Apple provides two tiers of app privacy depending on your needs:
- Require Face ID (Lock): The app remains visible on your Home Screen and App Library, but tapping its icon requires biometric authentication before displaying content. Notification banners suppress message previews automatically.
- Hide and Require Face ID: The app icon is completely stripped from your Home Screen, App Library grids, Siri Suggestions, and Spotlight Search. Incoming calls and notifications are silenced, and the app is relocated to a secure “Hidden” folder.
How to Lock an App with Face ID
Securing an app while leaving its icon on your Home Screen takes just two taps:
- Locate the app icon on your iPhone Home Screen or App Library.
- Touch and hold (long-press) the app icon until the quick action context menu appears.
- Tap Require Face ID.
- A confirmation prompt will appear; tap Require Face ID once more.
- iOS will authenticate your face to confirm your identity.
From this moment on, tapping the app displays a biometric scan prompt before granting access.
How to Hide an App from Your Home Screen and Search
For applications that require maximum confidentiality:
- Long-press the target app icon on your Home Screen.
- Tap Require Face ID.
- In the confirmation sheet, tap Hide and Require Face ID.
- An informational dialogue will explain that notifications will be muted and the app will only appear in the Locked Hidden folder; tap Hide App.
- Authenticate with Face ID.
The app will instantly disappear from your Home Screen layout and search indices.
How to Access and Launch Hidden Apps
When you need to open a concealed application:
- Swipe left across your Home Screen until you reach the App Library.
- Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the App Library directory.
- You will see a folder labelled Hidden featuring a crossed-out eye symbol.
- Tap the Hidden folder.
- Authenticate with Face ID or enter your passcode.
- The folder will unlock, revealing your concealed applications for normal launching.
How to Unhide or Remove Face ID Lock
If you no longer need biometric protection on an application:
- For a locked app: Long-press its icon on the Home Screen and select Don’t Require Face ID, then authenticate.
- For a hidden app: Open the Hidden folder in App Library, authenticate, long-press the app icon, and select Don’t Require Face ID. You can then drag the icon back to your main Home Screen.