Apple has been diligently working on enhancing its iPhone operating system. iOS 18, the next big upgrade for iPhone, packs a flurry of new features. One notable addition is the ability to lock and hide apps without using a Shortcut action.
In this guide, we will explore the new privacy feature available on iOS 18, including how to lock or hide any app on your iPhone.
iOS 18 finally lets users lock or hide any app they want. When an app is locked or hidden, its contents, such as messages, emails, or attachments, are hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system. Apple has introduced a new Hidden folder in the App Library for storing locked apps. This folder can be accessed only after Face ID authentication.
It is a pretty useful feature if you want to share your iPhone with someone. You can now do so with peace of mind, knowing that your private information remains unseen and they won’t be able to access the locked apps. If someone tries to open a locked app or the Hidden folder, they will see a Face ID authentication prompt, or Touch ID on the iPhone SE, to unlock it.
Prior to the introduction of this privacy feature, iPhone users could lock the apps through a Shortcut action or by using third-party apps. If you haven’t installed the iOS 18 beta and are still on iOS 17, you can check out this story to lock any app you want.
Now let’s dive right into the steps to lock or hide apps on iOS 18.
How to Lock Apps on iPhone [iOS 18]
Needless to say, ensure that your iPhone is running on the iOS 18, if you are on the iOS 17, check out this guide to install the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone. Do keep in mind, that you can lock any third-party app and most system apps, yes, there are a few exceptions, including Calculator, Clock, Camera, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Settings, and Shortcuts.
Step 1: Unlock your iPhone and go to the home screen.
Step 2: Tap and hold the app you want to lock.
Step 3: Tap the Require Face ID (or Touch ID) option.
Step 4: Tap the Require Face ID (or Touch ID) for confirmation.
Please note that when you open the locked app, you will have three attempts to successfully authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID. After three attempts, you will be prompted with a passcode authentication screen.
How to Hide and Lock Apps on iPhone [iOS 18]
You can easily hide any third-party app on your iPhone, sadly, you can not hide any of the system apps. When an app is hidden, it will be removed from the home screen and can only be accessed from within the newly introduced hidden folder in the app library.
Step 1: Unlock your iPhone and go to the home screen.
Step 2: Tap and hold the app you want to hide and lock.
Step 3: Tap the Require Face ID (or Touch ID) option.
Step 4: Tap Hide and Require Face ID (or Touch ID) to hide the app.
How to Unhide Apps
If you want to unhide a hidden app, you can easily do it by navigating to the hidden apps folder. Follow these steps to unhide an app.
Step 1: Go to the App Library and tap the Hidden Apps folder.
Step 2: To unlock the hidden apps folder, you need to authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID.
Step 3: Tap and hold the app that you want to unhide.
Step 4: Tap the Don’t Require Face ID option.
That’s it. Please note that, when you unhide an app, it can be found in the App Library only. You will need to manually add it back to the home screen.
If the stolen device protection is active, you won’t be able to unlock the locked apps using a passcode; instead, you will need to use Face ID for authentication. This additional security feature is particularly useful in the event of a theft.
So this is all about the new privacy-focused feature available on iOS 18. If you still have any queries, drop them down in the comment box.
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- How to Install iOS 18 Beta 1 on iPhone
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