Learn how to unhide apps on your iPhone using the App Library, Settings, or Home Screen pages. These steps work across iPhone 13, 14, 15, and 16 running iOS 16–18.
Key Takeaway
Knowing how to unhide apps on iPhone saves time and keeps your Home Screen organized.
- Check the App Library Hidden folder.
- Review Home Screen page settings.
- Use Siri & Search visibility toggles.
- Confirm Face ID or Touch ID settings.
- Re-download from the App Store if removed.
Follow these steps and your apps will reappear within minutes.
Introduction:
Have you ever wondered where your iPhone apps went after a cleanup? You didn’t delete them—just hid them. The good news? Getting them back is quick.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to unhide apps on your iPhone, whether you use Face ID or not.
These steps work on iPhone 13, 14, 15, and 16 running iOS 16 to 18. I’ve been helping iPhone users solve visibility issues for over ten years, and this is one of the easiest fixes.
Read more: iPhone Guide: Master Your Device with Easy Tips and Tricks
Table of Contents
How I Helped James Unhide Apps on His iPhone
James was frustrated when he realized some of his favorite apps had disappeared from his iPhone. Unsure of what happened, he reached out to me for help. I guided him through the process of accessing the “App Store,” opening the “Settings” app, and navigating to “Screen Time” to check for any restrictions.
Together, we unhid the apps by adjusting the settings, and he was relieved to have everything back in order, ready to use again.
Read more: My Guide to iPhone Privacy & Settings for Ultimate Security
Why Apps Disappear from Your Home Screen
When you can’t find an app, it’s not always deleted. Sometimes it’s hidden, offloaded, or restricted.
Here’s what commonly happens:
- You’ve hidden an entire Home Screen page.
- The app was hidden in the App Library’s Hidden folder.
- iOS offloaded unused apps to save space.
- Screen Time restrictions are active.
Apple’s system hides apps in a way that’s reversible, so don’t worry.
How to Unhide Apps on iPhone: Step-by-Step
The process is quick once you know where to look. These are the official Apple-recommended ways.
Use the App Library Hidden Folder
The App Library is your master list of all installed apps—even hidden ones.
Steps:
1 Swipe left past all Home Screen pages.
2 Scroll to the bottom and tap Hidden.
3 Authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode.
4 Long-press the app → select Don’t Require Face ID.
5 Tap Add to Home Screen if you want it back in plain view.
If you use iOS 18, the Hidden folder may require Face ID every time for privacy.
Expert Quote:
“The Hidden folder in the App Library is your go-to spot to restore apps that vanish from the Home Screen.” — Ajaay Srinivasan, Beebom Tech Writer
Restore Hidden Home Screen Pages
Sometimes you didn’t hide the app, but the entire page it lives on.
To restore it:
- Long-press the Home Screen until icons jiggle.
- Tap the dots above the dock.
- If a page circle is unchecked, that page is hidden.
- Check it again → Tap Done.
Your apps will reappear exactly where you left them.
Unhiding Apps by iPhone Model
Each model has the same logic but minor visual changes in iOS versions.
iPhone 13 and 14 (iOS 15–17)
These models use the App Library and standard Face ID or Touch ID.
- Swipe left → Hidden folder → authenticate → long-press → Don’t Require Face ID.
- You can also search the app name using Spotlight if you forgot where it was.
iPhone 15 and 16 (iOS 18 and Later)
Newer iPhones added a “Hide and Require Face ID” option for private apps.
To unhide:
- Go to Hidden folder.
- Authenticate.
- Long-press app → select Don’t Require Face ID.
Note: Apps hidden this way won’t appear in Search or Siri Suggestions until unhidden.
How to Unhide Apps on iPhone Without Face ID
If your device uses Touch ID or just a passcode, you can still unhide apps easily.
Steps:
- Swipe left to App Library → tap Hidden → authenticate using passcode.
- Long-press the app → choose Don’t Require Face ID (or equivalent).
You can also adjust Siri & Search settings: - Go to Settings → Siri & Search → Show App in Search.
- Enable all visibility toggles.
If you still can’t find it, check App Store → Profile → Purchased → Not on this iPhone to reinstall it.
Troubleshooting Hidden Apps
If your app still doesn’t show up, a few settings may be blocking it.
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| App missing entirely | Deleted or offloaded | Re-download from App Store |
| App greyed out | Still downloading | Wait for download to finish |
| Hidden by restrictions | Screen Time or Content & Privacy | Settings → Screen Time → Allowed Apps |
| Hidden from Search | Siri & Search disabled | Enable visibility toggles |
| Page missing | Home Screen page hidden | Check page dots and re-enable |
| Locked Hidden folder | Face ID required | Long-press → Don’t Require Face ID |
If nothing works, reset your Home Screen Layout in Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Pro Tip:
When you unhide an app, move it into a clear folder or top row. It helps you notice it easily next time you clean your screen.
Security and Privacy Notes
Hidden apps in iOS 18 are locked behind Face ID or passcode. This prevents unauthorized access.
Still, hiding is not the same as deleting. Apps can still send notifications or use data if enabled.
To control this:
- Go to Settings → Notifications → App Name and toggle alerts.
- Manage storage under Settings → General → iPhone Storage.
This keeps your device organized and secure at once.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced iPhone users overlook these steps:
- Forgetting to enable “Show in App Library.”
- Assuming hidden means deleted.
- Using Search before unlocking the Hidden folder.
- Forgetting to re-enable Screen Time permissions.
Avoiding these saves you from re-downloading apps unnecessarily.
Conclusion – Get Your Apps Back Fast
Finding hidden apps shouldn’t take hours. You can use the App Library or Settings to bring them back in just a few seconds.
Now that you know how to unhide apps on iPhone, take a moment to restore them and keep your screen tidy.
Share this quick guide with someone who recently lost an app — it might save them the same frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I check if an app is hidden in iOS 18?
Go to your App Library → scroll to the bottom → tap Hidden. If you see a lock icon, authenticate to reveal apps. Any app listed here is hidden.
Why can’t I unhide an app even after unlocking the Hidden folder?
It may be restricted by Screen Time. Open Settings → Screen Time → Allowed Apps and toggle the switch next to the app. Then go back and repeat the unhide process.
Does unhiding an app affect notifications or data?
No. When you unhide an app, its data, permissions, and notifications stay the same unless you’ve disabled them manually in Settings.
Citations:
Apple Discussion. How do I recover hidden apps?