How to Hide Apps on iPhone with iOS 18 — Including from Spotlight Search
Share
With iOS 18, Apple has made it easier than ever to hide apps completely from your iPhone’s Home Screen and even from Spotlight Search. Whether you want to keep certain apps private, reduce clutter, or stay focused, this new feature gives you full control over what is visible — and what’s not.
In this article, you’ll learn how to hide apps on your iPhone, why it’s useful, and how to make the most of this feature — all while keeping your device secure and organized.
Why Would You Want to Hide Apps on iPhone?
People choose to hide apps for a variety of reasons:
- Privacy – Hide messaging, dating, or financial apps from prying eyes.
- Decluttering – Clean up your Home Screen without deleting anything.
- Focus – Remove distractions like games or social media during work or study time.
- Parental Control – Keep certain apps out of sight from children using your device.
With iOS 18, hiding an app doesn’t just remove it from the Home Screen — you can also make it invisible in Spotlight, the system-wide search tool.
How to Hide an App from the Home Screen
- Find the app you want to hide.
- Press and hold the app icon.
- Tap Remove App, then choose Remove from Home Screen.
The app is now moved to your App Library — no longer visible on your main screens.
How to Hide an App from Spotlight Search
This is the new part in iOS 18 — apps can now be removed from Spotlight entirely:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Tap Locked Apps (or App Privacy depending on your version).
- Select the app you want to hide.
- Turn off “Show in Search” and “Show in App Switcher”.
- If desired, you can also lock the app with Face ID or a passcode for extra security.
Once this is done, the app will no longer appear in:
- Spotlight search results
- App suggestions
- The app switcher (recent apps view)
It will only be visible in the App Library unless completely hidden from there too.
Can You Still Use the Hidden App?
Yes — the app is not deleted. You can access it via:
- App Library (swipe left to the last Home Screen page)
- Siri (if not disabled)
- Or by manually searching in Settings > Apps
If you want to restore the app to your Home Screen or Spotlight, just reverse the steps in Settings.
Hidden Apps + App Lock = Maximum Privacy
For even more control, combine hidden apps with iOS 18’s new App Lock feature. Lock any app behind Face ID or a passcode and hide it completely from public view — perfect for protecting photos, banking apps, or anything personal.
Final Thoughts
The ability to hide apps — even from Spotlight — is a major privacy win for iPhone users. Whether you're organizing your phone or protecting sensitive information, iOS 18 gives you the tools to do it with ease.
At Cost Plus Phones, we sell refurbished iPhones that support iOS 18 and all its newest privacy features — including hidden apps and app locking. Browse our selection today at costplusphones.com and experience the latest iOS on a budget.
Our latest arrivals include:
Refurbished iPhone 12 mini – minimalism at its finest
Refurbishedi Phone 12 – a solid, balanced choice
Refurbished iPhone 13 – premium performance at a great price.
CostPlusPhones team
