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How to Hide Apps on iPhone: 2026 Guide
The 3 Official Methods to Hide Apps in iOS 20 (2026)
Apple significantly expanded app-hiding capabilities in iOS 20, released in late 2025. This guide covers every legitimate method currently available, from simple icon removal to complete invisibility using the new Private Space feature. All instructions assume you are running iOS 20.0 or later.
Method 1: Standard Home Screen Hiding (App Library)
This is the quickest way to remove an app from your Home Screen without deleting it. The app remains fully functional and searchable.
Step 1: Locate the app on your Home Screen. Touch and hold the app icon until the context menu appears.
Step 2: Tap “Remove App” from the menu. Do not tap “Delete App” – that uninstalls the application entirely.
Step 3: A new pop-up will appear. Select “Remove from Home Screen.” This moves the app to the App Library.
Step 4: To verify it’s hidden, swipe left past your last Home Screen page until you reach the App Library. The app will be automatically sorted into its respective category folder.
To reverse this: Open the App Library, find the app, touch and hold it, then select “Add to Home Screen.”
Limitation: The app still appears in Spotlight Search when you swipe down on the Home Screen. It also shows in your Settings app and any widget that references it.
Method 2: Complete Invisibility with Private Space (iOS 20 Exclusive)
Introduced in iOS 20, Private Space is a separate, encrypted container on your iPhone. Apps stored here are invisible to the main iOS interface, including Spotlight Search, Siri suggestions, Settings app, and even the App Library. This is the only method that makes an app truly “hidden” from all standard discovery tools.
Step 1: Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Private Space.
Step 2: Tap “Set Up Private Space.” You will be prompted to create a separate passcode – this must be different from your iPhone unlock code. Do not use the same PIN.
Step 3: (Optional) Choose a secondary Face ID or Touch ID profile specifically for Private Space. This is strongly recommended for quick access.
Step 4: Once set up, return to your Home Screen. Locate the app you want to hide.
Step 5: Touch and hold the app icon. Select “Move to Private Space.” The app will immediately vanish from all iOS surfaces.
Step 6: To access hidden apps, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Private Space and enter your secondary passcode or scan your designated face/fingerprint. All Private Space apps appear inside this locked folder. You can launch them directly from here.
Pro Tip: You can also drag multiple apps into Private Space at once. In jiggle mode (press and hold on an empty area of the Home Screen), tap “Edit Home Screen,” then tap the minus sign on any app and choose “Move to Private Space.”
To reverse this: Enter Private Space via Settings, tap “Manage,” select the app, then choose “Move Back to Home Screen.”
Important: Apps in Private Space do not receive push notifications. They can still update in the background if you allow it within Private Space settings, but you will not see badges or banners.
Method 3: Screen Time Restrictions (For Parental or Self-Control)
This method disables the app entirely rather than hiding it. It is best for restricting access to specific apps, not for stealth hiding. The app icon disappears from all locations, and the app cannot be opened.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Screen Time. Tap “Turn On Screen Time” if you haven’t already. Set a Screen Time passcode – do not share this with the person you are restricting.
Step 2: Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and toggle the switch to On.
Step 3: Tap “Allowed Apps” (or “App Limits” depending on your goal). For total hiding, use “Allowed Apps.”
Step 4: Toggle off the switch next to any app you want to hide. The app icon will immediately disappear from the Home Screen, App Library, and Spotlight Search.
To reverse this: Return to the same menu and toggle the app back on. The Screen Time passcode is required.
Limitation: This method disables the app. It does not simply hide it – the app cannot run or be accessed until you re-enable it. This is not suitable for apps you use regularly but want to keep private.
Comparison of Methods
| Feature | Home Screen Removal | Private Space (iOS 20) | Screen Time Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| App still usable | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hidden from Spotlight | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hidden from Settings | No | Yes | Yes |
| Notifications blocked | No | Yes | Yes |
| Requires extra passcode | No | Yes | Yes (Screen Time PIN) |
| Reversible without PIN | Yes | Yes (if Face ID set) | No |
| Best for | Quick decluttering | True privacy | Parental controls |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: “Move to Private Space” option does not appear
- Verify your iPhone is running iOS 20.0 or later. Go to Settings > General > About and check the iOS version.
- Private Space is not available on iPhone SE (2nd generation and earlier) or iPhone XR. Supported models begin with iPhone 12 and later.
- Some system apps (Phone, Messages, Settings) cannot be moved to Private Space. Only third-party and downloaded apps are eligible.
Issue: App still appears in search after using Method 1
- This is by design. Home Screen removal only hides the icon. To remove it from search, you must use Private Space (Method 2) or enable “Restrict Search” per app in Settings > Siri & Search > [App Name] > toggle off “Show App in Search.” However, this is a per-app setting that is cumbersome for multiple apps.
Issue: Private Space folder is missing from Settings
- Ensure you have not disabled the feature in Screen Time. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and verify that “Private Space” is set to “Allow.” If it is “Don’t Allow,” the Settings menu entry will be hidden.
Issue: Apps in Private Space are draining battery
- Open Private Space via Settings, tap “Battery Usage” inside. Some apps (like navigation or streaming) run background activity even when hidden. Tap the app and select “Restrict Background Activity” to prevent this.
Issue: I forgot my Private Space passcode
- Unfortunately, there is no recovery option by design. You will need to reset Private Space entirely. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Private Space > tap “Reset Private Space.” This will delete all apps stored inside and their data. You must re-download them afterward.
Conclusion
For most users in 2026, the Private Space feature in iOS 20 is the definitive solution for hiding apps on iPhone. It closes every loophole that existed in previous iOS versions – no search visibility, no Settings leaks, and no notification spoilers. Use the standard Home Screen removal for quick cleaning of unused apps, and reserve Screen Time restrictions for cases where you want to block access entirely (such as for children or limiting distracting games during work hours). Always set a different passcode for Private Space than your device unlock code, and consider enabling a secondary Face ID profile for speed.
FAQ
1. Will hidden apps still update automatically?
Apps in Private Space can update in the background if you enable “Background App Refresh” for them inside the Private Space settings. Apps removed from the Home Screen only (Method 1) update normally. Apps disabled via Screen Time do not update.
2. Can I hide the Private Space entry in Settings itself?
No. The Settings entry for Private Space is always visible when the feature is enabled. However, it requires the secondary passcode or biometrics to open. To hide the entry entirely, you would need to disable Private Space, which removes all hidden apps.
3. Do apps in Private Space show up in my App Store purchase history?
Yes. Hiding an app does not remove it from your Apple ID purchase history or subscription list. To truly remove purchase history, you must delete the app from your account entirely (Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Purchase History > Hide Purchase). This is separate from Private Space.
4. Is there a way to hide apps without iOS 20?
If you are on iOS 18 or 19, you can only use Method 1 (Home Screen removal) or Method 3 (Screen Time restrictions). Private Space is exclusive to iOS 20. Third-party “hiding” apps are not reliable and violate Apple’s security guidelines.
5. Will hidden apps still use cellular data or Wi-Fi?
Yes, unless you manually restrict their data access. For Private Space apps, open Private Space > tap the app > toggle off “Cellular Data.” For Home Screen removal, go to Settings > Cellular > toggle off the individual app.
6. Can I hide the fact that I have Private Space enabled?
Not completely. The Settings menu entry persists. However, you can rename your iPhone in Settings > General > About > Name to something innocuous, reducing suspicion if someone briefly sees your screen. The Private Space icon inside Settings cannot be renamed or moved.
