iPhones are known for their sleek design, user-friendly interface, and powerful features. However, one feature that often flies under the radar is the ability to hide apps. Whether it’s to keep apps organized, maintain privacy, or simply reduce clutter on your home screen, hiding apps on an iPhone can be incredibly useful. But what happens when you need to find hidden apps? How do you locate those apps when they’re no longer visible on your iPhone’s home screen? If you’re wondering how to find hidden apps on iPhone, this guide will walk you through the different methods and options available on various iPhone models, including iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iOS 17 and 18.
In this article, we will cover:
- How to find hidden apps on iPhone iOS 18 and 17
- Steps for locating hidden apps on iPhone 13, 12, 11, and newer models
- How to unhide apps using settings or the App Library
- Finding apps without Face ID or complicated security setups
By the end of this article, you’ll have a complete understanding of how to find hidden apps on iPhones, whether you have the latest model or an older one.
Why Do People Hide Apps on iPhone?
Before diving into how to find hidden apps on your iPhone, it’s important to understand why someone might hide an app in the first place. iPhone users often hide apps for several reasons:
- Organization: With many apps installed on iPhones, it’s easy for users to lose track of them. Some users choose to hide apps they don’t use often to keep their home screens tidy.
- Privacy: If you share your phone with others, you may want to hide certain apps to keep them private. This can be especially useful for sensitive apps like banking or shopping.
- Distraction-Free: Some users hide apps to avoid distractions, especially during work or study.
- App Management: iPhone users may also hide apps to prevent them from appearing in search results, which can help declutter the device.
Now that we understand the motivations, let’s explore how you can find hidden apps on your iPhone.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone: General Methods
1. Using the App Library (Available on iOS 14 and later)
The App Library was introduced in iOS 14 and offers a great way to find hidden apps. It automatically organizes all of your apps into categories, even those you’ve hidden from the home screen. To access it, follow these steps:
- Swipe right on your home screen until you reach the App Library.
- Use the search bar at the top to type in the name of the app you want to find.
- Alternatively, browse the categories to look for the app manually.
2. Searching via Spotlight Search
Spotlight Search is another effective tool for finding hidden apps on iPhone. This search function can locate apps, contacts, and even files, whether the app is on the home screen or hidden. Here’s how to use it:
- Swipe down from the middle of your home screen to open Spotlight Search.
- Type the app’s name in the search field. If the app is installed on your iPhone but hidden, it will appear in the search results.
3. Checking the Settings App (for Hiding/Unhiding Apps)
In addition to the methods above, you can also find hidden apps by checking your iPhone Settings. If you’ve used certain features like Screen Time to restrict access to specific apps, they might not appear on the home screen but will still be in the settings.
Here’s how to check:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- From here, you can see whether apps have been restricted from appearing on your home screen.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone by Model
Now, let’s take a closer look at how to find hidden apps on different iPhone models. Whether you have an older model like the iPhone 11 or the latest iPhone 14, the methods to find hidden apps remain largely the same with minor adjustments.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max
If you’re using an iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro Max, you can follow the same general steps for finding hidden apps as outlined above. With the introduction of the App Library in iOS 14, you have a powerful tool at your disposal to locate hidden apps.
Additionally, Spotlight Search can help you search for apps even if they aren’t visible on the home screen. If you’ve made use of App Hiding through widgets or folders, navigating through the App Library will still allow you to find these apps.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro
For iPhone 12 models, the steps are the same as for the iPhone 13. The App Library feature is available, making it easier to find hidden apps that you’ve removed from the home screen. Also, Spotlight Search remains a reliable tool to locate apps, whether they are hidden or not.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 comes with iOS 13 or iOS 14, meaning the App Library may not be available on older software versions. If that’s the case, you can still use Spotlight Search to find hidden apps. You may also use Settings to check for any apps hidden via Screen Time restrictions.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone 14 (Including iOS 17 and 18)
iPhone 14 models come with iOS 16, iOS 17, and iOS 18 updates, which feature all the tools you need to find hidden apps.
- Use Spotlight Search to locate apps by name or category.
- App Library helps you find hidden apps in an organized, category-based system.
- Settings may also show apps hidden by App Store restrictions or other settings, such as Content & Privacy Restrictions.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone iOS 17 & iOS 18
Both iOS 17 and iOS 18 have some advanced features that allow users to hide apps effectively:
- App Library: As previously mentioned, this feature is key to finding hidden apps on all devices with iOS 14 and newer.
- Spotlight Search: Search for apps that are hidden but still on your device.
- Hide or Unhide Apps via Settings: Apps can be hidden by adjusting privacy settings in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone Without Face ID
If you’ve hidden apps behind Face ID protection or other biometric security measures, there are ways to find them without unlocking your phone via Face ID:
- Use Spotlight Search: Simply search the app’s name, and it should appear in search results even if it’s protected by Face ID.
- Check the App Library: The App Library won’t require Face ID to access, so you can manually browse it to find the app.
- Settings: You can also navigate through your phone’s settings to find hidden apps that have been restricted or hidden for privacy reasons.
How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone Home Screen
If you suspect that an app is hidden directly from the home screen, here are some tips:
- Use the App Library: All apps, even those hidden from the home screen, will still be listed here.
- Check for Hidden Folders: Sometimes, apps are hidden within folders or behind app icons that seem to be inactive. Open all folders to check.
- Spotlight Search: Don’t forget that apps hidden from the home screen can still be found via search.
How to Unhide Apps on iPhone
After finding hidden apps on your iPhone, you might want to unhide them for easy access. Here’s how:
- Via App Library: Long-press on the app and select Add to Home Screen.
- Settings: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions to remove any app restrictions.
- Unhide from Purchased Apps: If the app was hidden by the App Store, you can go to App Store > Purchased and unhide the app.
Conclusion
Finding hidden apps on your iPhone doesn’t have to be a challenging task. Whether you’re using the latest iPhone 14 with iOS 18 or an older iPhone like the iPhone 11, there are multiple ways to uncover apps that have been hidden from your home screen. Using tools like the App Library, Spotlight Search, and Settings, you can quickly locate and manage hidden apps with ease.
If you’ve hidden apps for privacy reasons, it’s important to remember that these apps are still accessible through the App Library and Spotlight Search, even if they aren’t visible on your home screen. By following the steps in this guide, you’ll be able to find and unhide your apps in no time.
FAQs
Q1: How can I find hidden apps on iPhone 14 with iOS 18?
You can find hidden apps on the iPhone 14 with iOS 18 by using the App Library, Spotlight Search, or checking the Settings app under Screen Time.
Q2: Can I find hidden apps without Face ID?
Yes, you can find hidden apps without Face ID by using Spotlight Search or the App Library.
Q3: How do I unhide apps on iPhone?
To unhide apps, go to the App Library and long-press the app to add it back to the home screen. Alternatively, adjust your Screen Time restrictions in the Settings app.
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