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With the release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple introduced powerful new privacy features that let you lock individual apps behind Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. You can also completely hide locked apps from your Home Screen and App Library search, keeping them secure in a dedicated Hidden folder. This is perfect for protecting sensitive apps like banking, messaging, photos, or health trackers.
The feature works on most third-party apps and many Apple apps. Before you begin, make sure you have Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode enabled on your device.
### Locking an App (Visible but Protected)
If you want to keep the app on your Home Screen but require authentication every time it opens, follow these steps:
1. Locate the app on your Home Screen.
2. Touch and hold the app icon until the quick actions menu pops up.
3. Tap **Require Face ID** (or **Require Touch ID** / **Require Passcode**).
4. Confirm your choice and authenticate with your biometric data or passcode.
Once locked, the app stays visible on your Home Screen, but you’ll need to authenticate to open it. Notifications and content previews are also hidden or limited for added privacy.
### Locking and Hiding an App
For maximum privacy, you can lock the app and remove it entirely from the Home Screen:
1. Touch and hold the app icon on the Home Screen.
2. Tap **Require Face ID** (or the equivalent option).
3. Select **Hide and Require Face ID**.
4. Read the confirmation message, which explains that the app will move to the Hidden folder, disappear from the Home Screen, and have restricted notifications.
5. Tap **Hide App** and authenticate.
The app will now be removed from your Home Screen and stored safely in the Hidden folder.
### How to Access Your Hidden Apps
1. Swipe left across your Home Screen pages until you reach the **App Library**.
2. Scroll down to find the **Hidden** folder (it shows a crossed-out eye icon).
3. Tap the folder and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
4. Tap the desired app and authenticate again if prompted to launch it.
### How to Unhide an App
If you want the app back on your Home Screen or simply remove the lock:
1. Open the **App Library** and tap the **Hidden** folder.
2. Authenticate to enter.
3. Touch and hold the app icon inside the folder.
4. Tap **Don’t Require Face ID** (or equivalent) and authenticate.
5. The app will exit the Hidden folder. You can then drag it back to your desired Home Screen page.
### Important Tips and Limitations
– **Locked-only apps** remain on the Home Screen but are protected.
– **Hidden apps** won’t appear in Spotlight Search, on any Home Screen page, or show most notifications.
– Some built-in Apple apps have limited support for this feature.
– To remove protection from any app, use the **Don’t Require Face ID** option after authenticating.
– This feature is separate from hiding apps in your App Store purchase history.
– Make sure your device is updated to iOS 18 or later for these options to appear.
Apple’s app locking and hiding tools provide a simple yet effective way to add an extra layer of privacy to your iPhone or iPad without needing third-party apps. Whether you’re protecting personal information or just organizing your device, these steps help you maintain control over what’s visible and accessible.
If the options don’t appear, double-check that your device is running the latest iOS/iPadOS version and that a passcode is set up.
