Raze

How to Hide Apps on iPhone

Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 28 October 2026

Quick answer: To hide apps on iPhone running iOS 18 or later, touch and hold the app icon, tap Require Face ID, then choose Hide and Require Face ID. The app moves to a locked Hidden folder in App Library. Built-in apps can't be hidden, and Family Sharing rules apply to teens.

Hide apps on iPhone step by step

Apple added app locking and hiding in iOS 18. You need Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode set up first (Apple Support).

  1. Go to the Home Screen and find the app.
  2. Touch and hold the icon until the quick menu opens.
  3. Tap Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode, depending on your phone).
  4. Choose Hide and Require Face ID. Choose Require Face ID instead if you only want a lock.
  5. Authenticate and confirm. The icon disappears from the Home Screen.

To find it again, swipe to App Library, scroll to the bottom and open the Hidden folder with Face ID. You can also see every hidden app in Settings > Apps > Hidden Apps.

Lock vs hide: which do you need?

OptionIcon on Home ScreenOpens without Face IDShows in search
NormalYesYesYes
Require Face ID (lock)YesNoYes, but locked
Hide and Require Face IDNo (Hidden folder)NoNo

A lock is enough when people see your phone but don't scroll through it. Hiding suits shared or borrowed phones. Apple notes that locking also keeps information from the app out of places like notifications and search while it's locked.

What hiding doesn't cover

  • Built-in apps such as Messages or Safari can't be hidden, though most can be locked.
  • Other devices: the setting doesn't sync through iCloud, so repeat it on each iPhone or iPad.
  • Family Sharing: children under 13 can't hide apps, and for ages 13–17 a parent in the family group can still see which apps are installed.
  • Purchase history: the App Store keeps a record of downloads, even for hidden apps .
  • Notifications: turn previews off under Settings > Notifications > Show Previews > Never or When Unlocked, so message text doesn't appear on the lock screen.

None of this is a security tool against someone who knows your passcode. It's privacy from a casual glance.

Keeping a quit porn app private

Many people want their recovery app out of sight, and that's reasonable. Shame is a common reason people avoid starting at all, so lowering the risk of an awkward moment helps. A sensible privacy setup:

  1. Hide the app or lock it with Face ID.
  2. Turn off notification previews for it.
  3. Pick an app with a neutral interface. Raze has no explicit content, so even if someone does see the screen, it shows a day count and a daily challenge.
  4. Use Screen Time's adult website limit as well, because hiding a tracker doesn't block anything.

Privacy shouldn't become isolation, though. If you have someone you trust, telling them can do more than any hidden folder; see how to find an accountability partner.

Troubleshooting

  • No 'Require Face ID' option: you're on iOS 17 or earlier. Update in Settings > General > Software Update.
  • Can't find the Hidden folder: it's the last item in App Library and only appears once an app is hidden.
  • App still appears in search: it's locked rather than hidden. Repeat the steps and choose Hide.
  • Want to unhide: open the Hidden folder, touch and hold the app, then tap Don't Require Face ID.

More options for a discreet setup are on our private NoFap tracker page.

Related: How to Block Porn on iPhone · Raze Privacy · Quit Porn · How to Find an Accountability Partner · NoFap Streak Calculator · Urge Timer · Quit Porn and NoFap Guides

Download Raze free. Optional in-app purchase.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle Play

Sources

  • Apple Support: Lock or hide an app on iPhone: support.apple.com (accessed 28 October 2026)
  • Apple Support: Use parental controls / content restrictions (Screen Time): support.apple.com (accessed 24 October 2026)
  • App Store: Raze-Quit Masturbation Tracker (listing, price and in-app purchases): apps.apple.com (accessed 24 October 2026)

FAQ

Can you hide apps on iPhone?

Yes, on iOS 18 or later. Touch and hold the app, tap Require Face ID, then Hide and Require Face ID.

Where do hidden apps go?

To a locked Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library.

Can I hide built-in apps?

No. Built-in apps can be locked but not hidden.

Will my parents see a hidden app?

If you're 13–17 in a Family Sharing group, a parent can still see installed apps.

Is Raze discreet on iPhone?

Raze has no explicit content and can be locked or hidden like any App Store app.

Related