Top Secret: Hiding Apps on Your iPhone with Shortcuts - It's Easier Than You Think (Unless You're My Dad)
Let's face it, we all have those apps lurking on our iPhones that are best left unseen. Maybe it's a questionable dating app you haven't gotten around to deleting (hey, gotta keep your options open!), a social media platform you swore to quit (but those cat videos are life!), or a game that mysteriously devours hours of your time (Fruit Ninja, anyone?). Whatever your app-hiding needs, the good news is there's a way to make those icons disappear with a little iPhone magic and the Shortcuts app.
But wait, you might be thinking, "Shortcuts sounds complicated! I can barely work the dang calculator app." Fear not, my friend! This is easier than putting together those fancy Ikea shelves (although, major props if you can do that without a single argument).
Here's the lowdown on how to transform yourself into a master of app illusion:
The Great Shortcut Caper: A Step-by-Step Guide (with Pictures, Just in Case)
- Welcome to the Funhouse: The Shortcuts App
- First things first, you gotta find the Shortcuts app. It comes pre-installed on your iPhone, usually nestled somewhere on your home screen (unless you've gone rogue and organized your apps alphabetically, in which case, more power to you). It might look like a little box with a weird squiggle on it. Don't be intimidated, it's actually pretty friendly.
- Shortcut Creation 101
- Open that funky Shortcuts app and tap the "+" sign in the top right corner. This is where the magic happens.
- Action! Scripting Your Shortcut
- Now, things might get a little technical (but don't worry, it's just a fancy word for "telling the app what to do"). Under "Search Actions," look for "Scripting" and tap on it. This is basically like writing the script for your very own app-hiding movie.
- Lights, Camera, Open App!
- Under "Apps," find the "Open App" function and tap on it. This is where you choose the app you want to cloak in secrecy. Think of it as casting a spell of invisibility (except way cooler because it involves technology).
Disguise Mission: Choose Your Icon
- Now for the fun part! Tap the three dots at the top right corner and rename your shortcut. Unleash your inner comedian and give it a harmless-sounding name. "Calculator Pro" for that dating app, anyone? Then, tap the icon next to the name and choose something that screams "totally not hiding anything suspicious here." Think weather app icon for your game, or a news icon for that social media platform. Basically, throw everyone off the scent!
Shortcut Shazam! Add it to Your Home Screen
- Once you're happy with your masterpiece, tap the "Share" button and select "Add to Home Screen." Now, your brand new, cleverly disguised shortcut will be chilling on your home screen, ready to launch your hidden app whenever you need it.
Remember: You'll need to remove the original app icon from your home screen to truly make it disappear. Just tap and hold the app, then select "Remove App" and choose "Remove from Home Screen."
Congratulations! You've successfully hidden an app using the power of Shortcuts! High fives all around!
Bonus Tip: Feeling fancy? You can even change the shortcut icon color to further enhance your disguise.
Frequently Asked App-Hiding Questions (Because We Know You Have Them)
How to find the hidden app?
Easy! Just search for the app by name in the App Library (that handy alphabetical list of all your apps) or use the iPhone search bar.
How to change the shortcut icon later?
No problem! Just open the Shortcuts app, tap on your hidden app shortcut, and then tap the icon again to choose a new one.
How many apps can I hide with shortcuts?
The limit is your imagination (and maybe your home screen space). Go wild!
How do I remove the hidden app shortcut?
Just tap and hold the shortcut icon on your home screen, then select "Delete Shortcut."
How do I get my social media life back on track?
That, my friend, is a whole different story. But at least you can hide the evidence for now!
