iOS 18: How to lock and hide apps

With the release of iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, Apple introduced a long-awaited feature that allows you to specifically lock and even hide apps on your iPhone. This new security measure gives you an additional layer of protection for your sensitive apps, even when your iPhone is unlocked. This means you can safely give your iPhone to someone without worrying about them accessing private content. Below, you'll learn how to lock and hide apps in iOS 18 to protect your privacy even better.

The App Lock feature in iOS 18 is an interesting feature, especially for those who value privacy. While iOS 17 only offered rudimentary shortcuts for protecting apps, iOS 18 goes a step further by providing a direct and reliable method to lock apps. This method requires Face ID or Touch ID and works even if your iPhone is unlocked. The following guide will show you step by step how to use this feature.

How to lock apps in iOS 18

To lock an app on your iPhone in iOS 18, you just need to follow a few simple steps:

Press and hold the app icon: On your iPhone's home screen, select the app you want to lock and press and hold the icon.
Select the option “Require Face ID (or Touch ID)”: Once the context menu opens, tap this option to activate the locking process.
Confirm your selection: To ensure the app is locked, you will need to confirm your Face ID (or Touch ID) again.

Once these steps are completed, the app can only be opened by re-authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID. It is important to note that you do not need to enter a passcode, if theft protection is activatedThis provides additional protection in case your iPhone falls into the wrong hands.

Which apps you can't block

Although iOS 18 offers an advanced locking feature for many apps, there are exceptions. System apps such as Maps, Clock, Calculator, and Settings cannot be locked. Apple deliberately introduced these restrictions because these apps are essential to the general operation of the iPhone. However, the rest of your apps, including third-party apps, can be locked without any problem.

Hide apps with iOS 18

Another useful feature in iOS 18 is the ability to hide blocked third-party apps:

Lock the app as described above.
Hide the app: Once the app is locked, an additional option allows you to hide it completely from the home screen. The app icon and name will disappear, making the app harder to find.

However, this feature only works with third-party apps. System apps such as Safari or Photos cannot be hidden. Hidden apps cannot be found via Spotlight search, and notifications or calls from these apps are not displayed either.

Access to hidden apps

Hidden apps aren't gone, they're just well protected. You can still find them by swiping left in the app library until you see the Hidden folder. This folder contains all the hidden or hidden apps that you can only access by re-authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID.

Unlock and re-hide apps

If you want to make a previously blocked or hidden app visible again, it's very easy:

Unlock the app: Press and hold the app icon and select the option “Don’t require Face ID (or Touch ID).” As long as Stolen Device Protection is enabled, a Face ID scan is required to change this setting.
Unhide app: To make a hidden app visible again, navigate to the app library, open the "Hidden" folder and authenticate using Face ID. You can then use the app as usual.

Lock and hide: iOS 18 improves your app security

With iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, Apple has taken an important step to improve the privacy and security of its users. The ability to individually lock and even hide apps offers you an additional layer of protection. Whether you want to protect sensitive photos, messages or other private content from prying eyes - iOS 18 makes it easier than ever. With the steps described here, you are well equipped to make the most of the new features and make your iPhone even more secure. Are you looking for new accessories? Visit our Amazon Storefront – there you will find a variety of products from leading providers, including for HomeKit and more! (Photo by Unsplash / Omar Al-Ghosson)