---
title: How to hide apps on iPhone in 2026
canonical: https://mavaul.com/guides/hide-apps-iphone/
description: On iOS 18 and later you can hide downloaded apps in a Hidden folder that needs Face ID. What hiding does, what it doesn't, and how to disguise an app instead.
format: text/markdown
generator: scripts/generate-llms.js
---
# How to hide apps on iPhone

_By [Diogo Ferreira](/about/), founder & engineer_

On iOS 18 and later, touch and hold an app you downloaded and choose Hide and Require Face ID. It leaves the Home Screen, moves to a Hidden folder at the bottom of the App Library, and needs Face ID to open. The Hidden folder itself is still there for anyone to see. If you'd rather the app looked like something else, disguise it.

## Hide an app
1. Touch and hold the app icon.
2. Tap Require Face ID, then Hide and Require Face ID.
3. Authenticate, then tap Hide App.

Find it later in the Hidden folder at the bottom of the App Library.

## What hiding does
- Removes the app from the Home Screen.
- Keeps its content out of notification previews, search and Siri suggestions.
- Needs Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode to open.
- Only applies to that iPhone; it doesn't sync.
- Only works for downloaded apps. Built-in apps like Photos can be locked, not hidden.

## Or disguise it
A hidden folder still says something is hidden. Mavaul can sit on the Home Screen as a calculator, a cat or a bottle of hot sauce instead (Premium). Turn on decoy mode, free, and the app opens as a working calculator; your passcode on its keypad opens the vault.

## Questions
### Can I hide the Photos app?
No. Built-in apps like Photos can be locked with Face ID but not hidden.

### Can someone see that I have hidden apps?
They can see the Hidden folder in the App Library, but not what's in it without Face ID or your passcode.

### Do hidden apps still send notifications?
Their content stays out of notification previews.

## Sources
- [Apple Support: Lock or hide an app on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/lock-or-hide-an-app-iph00f208d05/ios)

## Read next
- [Lock the Photos app, or use a vault?](/guides/lock-apps-iphone-vs-photo-vault/)
- [Calculator vault apps, explained](/guides/calculator-vault-apps/)
- [How to make a secret folder on iPhone](/guides/secret-folder-iphone/)

## Try Mavaul
[Download Mavaul on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/pt/app/mavaul-photo-video-vault/id6759567727?l=en-GB)