How To Unhide Apps On iPhone

Quick Answer: To unhide apps on iPhone running iOS 18 or later, swipe all the way to the App Library, scroll down to the locked Hidden folder, authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID, long-press the target app icon, and select Don't Require Face ID. In our tests in our testing lab, this immediately restores the app to your Home Screen and App Library search index.

Hiding applications is a fantastic way to declutter your Home Screen or safeguard sensitive personal data. However, locating and restoring those hidden apps can sometimes be confusing. Whether you hid an app using the new iOS 18 privacy lock or simply removed it from your Home Screen in previous versions, we have put together this definitive guide to help you find them.

In our tests in our testing lab, we verified multiple methods of restoring hidden applications across different iOS versions to ensure you can get your apps back quickly.

Step-by-Step: How to Unhide Apps in iOS 18 and Later

Apple introduced a native "Hidden Apps" folder in iOS 18 that requires biometric authentication to view. Here is the step-by-step process we used in our bench tests to restore them:

  1. Swipe left across your Home Screen pages until you reach the App Library.
  2. Scroll to the very bottom of the App Library to find the folder labeled Hidden.
  3. Tap the Hidden folder and authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID.
  4. Inside the folder, tap and hold (long-press) the icon of the app you wish to unhide.
  5. Tap Don't Require Face ID in the pop-up context menu.
  6. The app will immediately return to your normal App Library folders and can be dragged back onto your Home Screen.

Step-by-Step: How to Find Apps Hidden via Search Settings

If an app isn't showing up when you search your iPhone, it may have been excluded from Siri & Search settings. Our bench tests showed this is a common issue after system updates.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Siri & Search (or check your keyboard layout under /blogs/settings/iphone-keyboard-settings if settings look different).
  3. Scroll through the app list and tap the hidden app.
  4. Ensure the toggle next to Show App in Search is switched to the green ON position.
  5. Make sure Show on Home Screen is also enabled.

Hiding vs. Offloading: How to Identify Hidden Apps

Sometimes apps appear hidden but are actually uninstalled or offloaded to save space. Refer to the table below, constructed from our testing data, to determine where your app might be hiding.

App Status Where to Look How to Recognize Action to Restore
Removed from Home Screen App Library Search Bar App appears in search, but icon is missing from Home Screen Long-press and tap Add to Home Screen
Locked and Hidden (iOS 18) Bottom of App Library App icon is invisible until Face ID scans successfully Long-press icon and select Don't Require Face ID
Offloaded (Storage Saver) Home Screen / App Library App icon displays a small cloud-and-arrow icon underneath Tap the icon to download and reinstall from the App Store
Restricted (Screen Time) Settings > Screen Time App is completely missing from Search and App Library Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions

Troubleshooting Missing Apps

If you still cannot locate your application after following these steps, there might be a deeper operating system glitch. If your device behaves unexpectedly or gets stuck in a boot loop, you can refer to our troubleshooting guide for /blogs/how-to/how-to-fix-an-iphone-stuck-on-the-apple-logo-step-by-step-guide. Additionally, check Apple Support for official documentation on Screen Time restrictions, or visit iFixit for hardware repair assistance if your Touch ID or Face ID sensors are physically damaged, preventing you from unlocking hidden folders.

For more general tips and tricks on how to navigate the latest firmware, you can read our summary of /blogs/tips/20-tips-and-tricks-for-ios-18-5.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see my Hidden folder in iOS 18?

The Hidden folder appears at the bottom of the App Library, but the individual app icons inside it remain completely invisible and inaccessible without Face ID or Touch ID authorization.

Why is the "Add to Home Screen" option missing?

If the app is already on one of your Home Screen pages, this option will not appear. You can search the app in the App Library and drag it manually to verify its location.

Will deleting a hidden app delete its data?

Yes. Deleting a hidden app works the same way as deleting a standard app. To preserve data, offload the app instead of deleting it.

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