On an iPhone running iOS 18 or later, touch and hold an app icon, choose Require Face ID, Require Touch ID, or Require Passcode, then decide whether to leave the app visible or hide it. Locking protects the app when someone uses your unlocked phone; hiding also moves a downloaded app into the App Library’s authenticated Hidden folder.
Locking, hiding, and removing an app are different
| Option | What it does | Where the app appears | Authentication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock | Requires biometric authentication or the iPhone passcode before the app opens. | Still visible on the Home Screen or in the App Library. | Yes, when opened. |
| Hide | Locks the app and removes it from ordinary Home Screen and App Library views. | In the Hidden folder at the bottom of the App Library. | Yes, to reveal and open it. |
| Remove from Home Screen | Removes only the icon from a Home Screen page. | Still in the App Library and potentially Search. | No, unless you lock it separately. |
| Screen Time restriction | Limits, blocks, or turns off supported apps and features. | May remove an app from view or prevent use. | Uses Screen Time controls. |
Use Apple’s Lock or Hide command for personal privacy. Remove from Home Screen is organization, not security.
Apple’s instructions are documented in its iPhone User Guide.
Before you start
- The feature is documented for iOS 18 and later. Check Settings > General > Software Update if the command is missing.
- Your iPhone needs Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode. The label shown depends on the hardware and settings.
- Apple supports locking many apps, not every app. Apps installed with iOS have additional restrictions.
- Hiding generally applies to apps downloaded separately from the App Store, not ordinary Apple-installed apps.
- Menu wording and availability can vary by iPhone model, iOS release, country or region, and whether an app came from an alternative marketplace.
- In the European Union, the user-selected default web browser or app marketplace cannot be hidden under Apple’s documented exceptions.
- Family Sharing age rules differ by country or region. Apple says children under 13 in a Family Sharing group cannot lock or hide apps; 13–17-year-olds may still be subject to parental visibility and Screen Time controls.
How to lock an app
- Go to the Home Screen.
- Touch and hold the app icon until its quick-actions menu appears.
- Tap Require Face ID, Require Touch ID, or Require Passcode.
- Authenticate when prompted. Some iOS versions show the authentication choice again before completing the change.
The icon remains visible, but opening the app requires authentication. After you close it, the next opening requires authentication again. The device passcode is a fallback, so anyone who knows that passcode may be able to open the app.
#1 Best Overall
- Super Magnetic Attraction: Powerful built-in magnets, easier place-and-go wireless charging and compatible with MagSafe
- Compatibility: Only compatible with iPhone 13/14; precise cutouts for easy access to all ports, buttons, sensors and cameras, soft and sensitive buttons with good response, are easy to press
- Matte Translucent Back: Features a flexible TPU frame and a matte coating on the hard PC back to provide you with a premium touch and excellent grip, while the entire matte back coating perfectly blocks smudges, fingerprints and even scratches
- Shock Protection: Passing military drop tests up to 10 feet, your device is effectively protected from violent impacts and drops
- Check your phone model: Before you order, please confirm your phone model to find out which product is right for you
Open a locked app
- Tap the locked app.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or the passcode.
- Use the app normally, then close it to relock it.
Remove the lock
- Touch and hold the locked app icon.
- Tap Don’t Require Face ID, Don’t Require Touch ID, or Don’t Require Passcode.
- Authenticate.
This removes the app-level requirement; it does not delete the app.
How to hide an app
Hiding also locks the app. It is intended for eligible downloaded apps, not Apple-installed apps.
- Touch and hold the downloaded app on the Home Screen.
- Tap Require Face ID, Require Touch ID, or Require Passcode.
- Tap Hide and Require Face ID, Hide and Require Touch ID, or Hide and Require Passcode.
- Authenticate, then tap Hide App.
The app disappears from the Home Screen and ordinary App Library categories and moves to the Hidden folder at the bottom of the App Library.
Find, open, unlock, or unhide a hidden app
Find and open it
- From the Home Screen, swipe left past every Home Screen page to open the App Library.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Hidden.
- Authenticate to view the folder.
- Tap the app and authenticate again if requested.
Unhide it
- Open the App Library and tap Hidden.
- Authenticate.
- Touch and hold the app.
- Tap Don’t Require Face ID, Don’t Require Touch ID, or Don’t Require Passcode, then authenticate again.
The app leaves Hidden and appears near the top of the App Library. It may not return automatically to its former Home Screen page. Apple’s current guide is the authority for placement behavior on your iOS version.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #2
![miracase for iPhone 16e case & iPhone 17e Case for MagSafe [with 2×9H+ Screen Protectors] TOP Military-Grade Protection Shockproof with Velvet Touch for iPhone 16e/17e Phone Case 6.1', Matte Black](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41iFdHWdyyL._SL160_.jpg)
- [Enhanced MagSafe Compatibility] Engineered exclusively for iPhone 16e case & iPhone 17e case: Built-in 38×N56+ Magnet System with an innovative Focus-Ring, delivering 60% stronger magnetic adhesion than other cases. Ensures perfect alignment for secure fast charging up to 25W with MagSafe or Qi wireless chargers and provides a stable hold on all MagSafe accessories.
- [Military-Grade Drop Protection] Exceeds MIL-STD-810G military standards: Advanced Shockproof Tech at all four corners, internal 360° Airbags and 3-layer TPU cushioning bumper. This combination provides superior protection, safeguarding your phone from drops of up to 15 feet, verified by 6,500+ drop tests in 40+ different test environments.
- [Complete & Machined Function] This phone case for iPhone 16e/17e protects your phone with 2 9H+ tempered glass screen protectors against scratches and a 1.5mm raised camera frame against impacts and lens damage, ensuring original image quality .The Machined, interchangeable side buttons made from Aerospace-Grade Aluminum are designed to resist dust and punctures and exude premium quality.
- [Slim Design & Premium Feel] With our Shockproof Tech and Ergonomic Design, the iPhone 16e/iPhone 17e case masterfully balances a slim profile with optimal protection. The innovative Nano Coating ensures long-lasting scratch resistance and effectively blocks stains, like fingerprints, while the soft bumper offers a soft, silky, skin-friendly grip.
- [Flawless Compatibility & Lifetime Support] Precision-engineered for the iPhone 16 e/ iPhone 17 e phone case (6.1-inch). Please verify your phone model before ordering. Our dedicated support team provides personalized, 24-hour assistance. Backed by a lifetime manufacturer's warranty that includes hassle-free replacements.
What locking and hiding protect—and what they do not
Apple says information inside a locked app is excluded from several ordinary surfaces, including notification previews, Search, Siri suggestions, call history, and CarPlay-related surfaces. This is reduced exposure, not forensic invisibility.
Apple also documents that a hidden app’s name may remain visible in:
- Settings > Apps > Hidden Apps
- Screen Time reports
- Battery-usage information (the exact Battery section label varies by iOS version)
- App Store purchase history
- Family or parental-control reporting
Hiding does not delete the app or erase its purchase record. Review Settings > Notifications as well if lock-screen previews could reveal information; notification behavior depends on the app and its notification settings.
Lock and hide status is local to that iPhone. Apple says it does not sync through iCloud to another iPhone or iPad.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- [Compatibility] ✅Confirm your model: Only for iPhone 17 Pro. Not for ❌iPhone 17 Pro Max/ 17.
- [Crystal Clear & Advanced Non-Yellowing] Designed for iPhone 17 Pro, this transparent case highlights your device's original beauty. Engineered with TORRAS Exclusive upgraded nano antioxidant coating and 2.0 BlueMolecule technology, it resists 99.9% yellowing caused by sweat and UV exposure. TORRAS exclusive Micro-dot design and vacuum-plated anti-fingerprint TPU material ensure a crystal-clear, bubble-free adhesion. Keep your clear case looking brand new, just like the day you unboxed it.
- [Trusted Protection & Slim Profile] This phone case for iPhone 17 Pro provides everyday protection with TORRAS shock-absorbing TPU and Military-Grade Anti-fall Airbag Tech. A raised 2.5mm camera bezel and 1.5mm screen lip safeguard against scratches and drops. All within a sleek, 0.03-inch profile that preserves your phone's slim design, so you can showcase its pure, original beauty.
- [Perfect Fit & Full Wireless Charging Support] Precision-cut for iPhone 17 Pro, it offers effortless access to all buttons and ports. The secure-grip side coating ensures a comfortable, non-slip hold. Most importantly, ultra-thin supports full wireless charging compatibility—no need to remove the case to power up.
- [7-Year Craftsmanship & Over 7 Upgrades] TORRAS has pioneered clear case technology, relentlessly refining our materials through over 7 generations. This journey culminates in the case for iPhone 17 Pro — a testament to our craft. Experience the confidence that comes with eternal clarity, trusted by a community of over 191,011,197 users who choose enduring design.
Apps that cannot use the normal feature
Built-in apps that may not be lockable
Apple lists Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts, and Settings among built-in apps that cannot be locked through this command. The exact list can change with iOS releases.
Apps that cannot be hidden
Apps installed with iOS cannot be hidden with Hide App. Downloaded apps can generally be hidden, subject to Apple’s regional and marketplace exceptions. The default browser or app marketplace selected in the EU is an example of an app that cannot be hidden.
Use Screen Time for children and managed access
Screen Time is primarily a restriction and supervision system, not a replacement for an adult’s private-app Hide command. It is the better choice when the device belongs to or is used by a child, or when you need limits rather than concealment.
- Set limits for individual apps or categories.
- Schedule Downtime.
- Restrict content, purchases, downloads, and privacy settings.
- Turn off supported apps or features so they disappear from the Home Screen without being deleted.
- Manage a child’s settings through Family Sharing where supported.
See Apple’s guides for Screen Time for a child’s iPhone or iPad and blocking apps, downloads, websites, and purchases.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRank #4
- Strong Magnetic Attraction: Aligns perfectly with wireless power bank, wallets, car mounts and wireless charging stand. The iPhone 16 magnetic case has built-in 38 super N52 magnets. Its magnetic attraction reaches 2400 gf, which is almost 7X stronger than ordinary, therefore it won't fall off no matter how it shakes when you are charging
- Crystal Clear & Never Yellow: Using high-grade Bayer's ultra-clear TPU and PC material, allowing you to admire the original sublime beauty for iPhone 16 while won't get oily when used. The Nano antioxidant layer effectively resists stains and sweat, keeping the case clear like a diamond longer than others
- 10FT Military Grade Protection: Passed Military Drop Tested up to 10 FT. This iPhone 16 clear case backplane is made with rigid polycarbonate and flexible shockproof TPU bumpers around the edge and features 4 built-in corner Airbags to absorb impact, which can prevent your Phone from accidental drops, bumps, and scratches
- Raised Camera & Screen Protection: The tiny design of 2.5 mm lips over the camera, 1.5 mm bezels over the screen, and 0.5 mm raised corner lips on the back provides extra and comprehensive protection, even if the phone is dropped, can minimize and reduce scratches and bumps on the phone. Molded strictly to the original phone, all ports, lenses, and side button openings have been measured and calibrated countless times, and each button is sensitive and easily accessible
- Compatibility & Professional Support: Only compatible for iPhone 16 Phones. We have enough confidence to provide you with quality products and services. Any concerns or questions about iPhone 16 Phone Case, please feel free to contact us
Other options and when they make sense
- Remove from Home Screen: choose Remove App > Remove from Home Screen for decluttering. It provides no authentication.
- Hide a Home Screen page: useful for moving a group of icons out of sight, but apps remain discoverable elsewhere unless separately restricted.
- Guided Access: useful for a short handoff because it keeps someone inside one app. It does not lock a particular app against future access.
- In-app privacy controls: some apps provide their own Face ID or passcode lock for selected notes, conversations, documents, or other content.
If “Require Face ID” or “Hide App” is missing
- Update iOS at Settings > General > Software Update.
- Confirm the app is installed on the iPhone, not just a web shortcut.
- Try the actual icon from the Home Screen or App Library.
- Check whether it is an Apple-installed app excluded from locking or hiding.
- If you are in the EU, check whether it is the selected default browser or app marketplace.
- Restart the iPhone and try again.
- For a child’s device or an app Apple excludes, configure Screen Time instead.
Third-party “app locker” utilities generally cannot create the same system-level protection over other iPhone apps as Apple’s built-in controls.
Important privacy limitations
- Passcode access: the device passcode can authorize a locked or hidden app. Do not share it with the person you are trying to exclude.
- System records: hiding does not remove evidence from Settings, Screen Time, battery information, purchase history, or family-management views.
- Device-specific status: another device signed in to the same Apple Account does not inherit the lock or hidden state.
- Family visibility: parents may still see downloads and usage, subject to local age rules and Family Sharing settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lock every iPhone app?
No. Apple supports locking many apps, but some built-in apps—including Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts, and Settings—are listed as unable to use the normal lock command.
Does hiding an app delete it?
No. It remains installed in the App Library’s Hidden folder, and related records such as purchase history can remain visible.
Can I hide an app without Face ID?
Yes, where supported, Apple offers Touch ID or the device passcode instead. The available label depends on your iPhone.
Best Value
- PRECISION FIT FOR IPHONE 17e–13 – Expertly engineered to match the exact dimensions of iPhone 17e, 16e, 15, 14, and 13 for a secure, form‑fitting hold that stays confidently in place.
- 3X MILITARY‑GRADE DROP PROTECTION – Dual‑layer construction engineered to withstand drops beyond everyday accidents, exceeding military drop standards for dependable daily defense.
- SLIM, POCKET‑FRIENDLY PROTECTION – A streamlined profile with rubber‑gripped edges delivers a secure hold without bulk, while port covers help block dust and debris during daily use.
- DUAL‑LAYER IMPACT DEFENSE – A shock‑absorbing soft inner layer cushions impacts while a rigid outer shell adds structure and durability, crafted a minimum of 35% recycled plastic.
- TRUSTED OTTERBOX QUALITY – As America’s most trusted phone case brand, OtterBox pioneered military‑grade phone case protection and continues to raise the bar. With OtterBox every design is built for real‑world reliability and everyday readiness.
Is removing an app from the Home Screen the same as hiding it?
No. Removal only changes the icon’s location; the app stays available without authentication unless you separately lock it.
Does the lock or hidden status sync to iCloud?
No. Apple describes the setting as specific to the individual iPhone.
The Bottom Line
For an adult’s private app, use Lock to keep the icon visible or Hide to move it into the authenticated Hidden folder. Use Screen Time for children, limits, and built-in apps that Apple does not allow you to lock or hide.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
