How to lock and hide iPhone apps in iOS 18

With the new iOS 18 update, Apple is finally ready to deliver two commonly requested privacy features. It is the native support for hiding and locking iPhone apps. Some apps already allow app locking feature, but it depends on the developers. With the next update, Apple will allow users to block apps even if the developer has not added support.

Note: iOS 18 is currently in the beta stage. This means that it will surely have bugs and performance issues that will be fixed when a stable version is released. If you are not okay with facing these issues, we suggest you wait for the release of the stable version.

How to lock iPhone apps in iOS 18

1. Press and hold the icon of the app you want to lock. You can find it on the Home screen, App Library, or Spotlight search.
2. Choose Require facial identification from the list of options. It can also be Require Touch ID either Tap password depending on the authentication option enabled on your iPhone.
3. Your identity will be authenticated according to the authentication settings and the selected application will be blocked.

Whenever you want to open a locked iPhone app, tap the app icon and your identity will be authenticated. If you want to unlock an iPhone app, tap and hold a locked app icon and choose Does not require facial identification. It will unlock the app and now it can be opened without any authentication.

How to hide iPhone apps in iOS 18

1. Find the app you want to hide. Long press the app icon to get a list of options.
2. Choose Hide and require Face ID option. It will be visible only if the selected application can be hidden. The option can also be Hide and require Touch ID either Hide and require password.
3. Complete identity authentication and the chosen application will be hidden.

It is important to note that whenever you hide an app, it will also be blocked. All hidden apps will be stored in a new Hidden applications folder inside the app library. To open a hidden app, tap the app icon in the Hidden folder and authenticate yourself. To show an iPhone app, touch and hold the app icon and choose Does not require facial identification to proceed.