Can I hide all apps on my iPhone with iOS 18

How to Hide Apps in iOS 18

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Long Press the App: Find the app you want to hide on your home screen or in the App Library and long press its icon.
2. Select Require Face ID: From the menu that appears, tap on Require Face ID.
3. Choose Hide and Require Face ID: After confirming, select Hide and Require Face ID. This will prompt you to authenticate using Face ID or your passcode.
4. Confirmation: A message will inform you that hiding the app will remove its icon and name from your home screen, placing it into a Hidden folder in your App Library. You will also stop receiving notifications from this app. Confirm by tapping Hide App.

Once hidden, the app will not appear in searches or notifications, enhancing your privacy[1][5][6].

Accessing Hidden Apps

To access hidden apps:

1. Open App Library: Swipe left on your home screen until you reach the App Library.
2. Locate the Hidden Folder: Scroll down to find the Hidden folder.
3. Authenticate: Tap on the Hidden folder and authenticate using Face ID or your passcode to view the hidden apps.

To unhide an app:

1. Long press on the app within the Hidden folder.
2. Select Add to Home Screen to restore it back to your main interface[1][5][6].

Limitations

- Not all apps can be hidden; system apps like Camera, Find My, and Settings are excluded[1][5].
- Hiding an app does not prevent access if someone knows how to unhide it using your Face ID or passcode.

This new feature in iOS 18 is particularly useful for enhancing security and privacy on your device, making it easier to manage what others can see on your iPhone[1][3].

Citations:
[1] https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-18-these-new-tricks-can-boost-your-iphones-app-security/
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTHA_WB7F60
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwy-8IBi-bI
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo0n0N6sPH0
[5] https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/ios-18-how-to-lock-and-hide-iphone-apps/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb6PGH6vkzw
[7] https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-hide-and-lock-apps-ios-18/

Can I hide built-in apps like Photos or Playback on iOS 18

In iOS 18, you cannot hide built-in apps like Photos or Playback. The option to hide apps is available primarily for third-party applications, such as social media or banking apps. When attempting to hide built-in apps, you will find that the option is not available.

Key Points

- Hiding Built-in Apps: Built-in apps such as Photos, Playback, Calculator, and others cannot be hidden using the new features in iOS 18[1][2].
- Hiding Third-Party Apps: You can hide third-party apps by long-pressing the app icon, selecting "Require Face ID," and then choosing "Hide and Require Face ID." This removes the app from your home screen and places it in a Hidden folder within the App Library[1][5].
- Accessing Hidden Apps: Hidden apps can be accessed by navigating to the App Library, scrolling to the Hidden folder, and authenticating with Face ID or your passcode[1][5].

This limitation means that if you are looking to secure sensitive content within built-in apps like Photos, you will need to use alternative methods, such as managing privacy settings or using other security features available on your device.

Citations:
[1] https://mashable.com/article/ios18-how-to-lock-and-hide-your-iphone-apps
[2] https://9to5mac.com/2024/06/10/ios-18-includes-these-new-privacy-features-lock-and-hide-apps-improved-contact-permissions-more/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwy-8IBi-bI
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo0n0N6sPH0
[5] https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-18-these-new-tricks-can-boost-your-iphones-app-security/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTHA_WB7F60
[7] https://www.idownloadblog.com/2024/06/21/how-to-hide-iphone-apps/
[8] https://apple.gadgethacks.com/how-to/lock-and-hide-apps-your-iphone-ipad-official-way-0385556/

Are there any limitations to hiding apps on iOS 18

Hiding apps on iOS 18 comes with several limitations that users should be aware of:

Limitations of Hiding Apps in iOS 18

1. Built-in Apps Exclusion: You cannot hide built-in apps such as Photos, Playback, Camera, and Settings. The feature is primarily designed for third-party applications[1][4][5].

2. Not All Third-Party Apps: While many third-party apps can be hidden, not all are eligible. Some apps may not present the option to hide or lock, which could be due to bugs or restrictions set by Apple[1][2][4].

3. Notification Restrictions: Once an app is hidden, it will not receive notifications or calls. This means you will miss alerts from those apps while they are obscured[1][3].

4. Accessing Hidden Apps: Hidden apps are stored in a specific Hidden folder within the App Library, which requires Face ID or a passcode to access. This could potentially reveal to someone that you are hiding apps, even though they won't see which ones are hidden[2][3].

5. No Siri or Spotlight Access: When an app is locked and hidden, it cannot be accessed via Siri or appear in Spotlight search results, further limiting interaction with the app when it's obscured[4][5].

6. Unhiding Process: To unhide an app, you must go through the App Library and authenticate with Face ID or your passcode. The app will not return to its original position on the home screen automatically; it will only be accessible from the Hidden folder[1][4].

These limitations mean that while iOS 18 offers enhanced privacy features for managing app visibility, users need to consider these factors when deciding which apps to hide.