Tired of Your Apps Throwing Shade? Here's How to Hide Them on iPhone iOS 16
Let's face it, we all have apps on our iPhones that are like clingy roommates. You know the type – they take up space, they judge you silently (looking at you, Workout app!), and you just want them to disappear... for a while at least.
Well, fret no more, friend! iOS 16 offers a sneaky little feature that allows you to banish those unwanted apps to the digital hinterlands. Here's how to become a master of app hide-and-seek:
Step 1: Embrace Your Inner Icon Houdini
First things first, find the app you want to give the boot. Hold down that little icon until a menu appears. Don't worry, it's not going to self-destruct (although sometimes you might wish it would... Candy Crush, anyone?).
Step 2: The All-Important "Remove App" Choice
From the menu, you'll see the glorious option: "Remove App". Don't be intimidated by the word "remove" – it's not like you're launching your phone into the sun. This is just a temporary vacation for your app.
Step 3: Choosing Your App's Fate: Banishment or Not?
Now, here comes the key part. You'll be presented with two choices: "Delete App" and "Remove from Home Screen". "Delete App" is a one-way ticket to app oblivion. Use with caution! But for our hiding purposes, "Remove from Home Screen" is your best friend. Select this option, and poof! Your app vanishes from your main screen.
Congratulations! You've successfully hidden an app!
(P.S. Don't worry, we won't tell your other apps you're playing favorites)
But Wait, There's More!
There are actually two ways to hide apps in the wonderful world of iOS 16:
- The Home Screen Houdini: This is the method we just discussed, perfect for hiding apps you don't use all the time.
- The App Store Ninja: Did you know you can hide apps you've downloaded but don't necessarily want cluttering up your App Store purchase history? Simply go to the App Store, tap on your profile picture, then "Purchased" (or "My Purchases" if you use Family Sharing). Find the app you want to hide, swipe left, and tap the magical "Hide" button.
Hiding apps is like having a secret menu on your phone – only you know it exists!
FAQ: Your Burning App-Hiding Questions Answered
How to find a hidden app? Don't worry, you haven't banished your app to Narnia. All your hidden apps are chilling in the App Library. Just swipe all the way to the right on your home screens to find it.
How to unhide an app? Easy! Go to the App Library, find the app you miss (or accidentally hid), hold down the icon, and select "Add to Home Screen".
How to hide an entire page of apps? While you can't hide pages in iOS 16, you can remove them from your main screen. Just hold down the dots at the bottom of your screen (where the page indicators are) and uncheck the page you want to hide.
How many apps can I hide? As many as your heart desires (or your storage space allows)!
How do I hide apps from my kids? This one requires a slightly different approach. Check out the Screen Time settings for parental controls to manage what apps your kids can access.