Though you can hide apps and files in android phones completely, you may not be able to hide apps and files completely on the iPhone. However, there are ways you can make apps inaccessible on your iPhone in case someone is using your phone.
It is usual to hide sensitive apps in phones because no one can guarantee 100% security in information on the phone especially when the phone mistakenly enters into the hands of an enemy. Mobile apps such as banking apps, cryptocurrencies wallet apps, and lots more. Could be manipulated against the owner in the wrong hands.
The dangerous aspect of mobile phone apps is the direct login and notifications enabled automatically. These features do not only make you vulnerable to privacy instruction and manipulation, it also draws unnecessary attention to any criminal who might mistakenly come in contact with your iPhone.
Here are ways you can hide sensitive apps in your iPhone:
- You can Disable Notification
- You can bury in a folder
- You can Hide downloads from the app store history
- You can Hide Apps with a Jailbreak Tweak
- Exclude the APP from Search and Siri Suggestions
- You can Move It to App Library
- You can hide photos and videos in the Photos App
- You can Use Dummy Apps to Hide Files and Notes
Let us discuss these methods above in detail.
DISABLING YOUR SENSITIVE APP NOTIFICATION
To stop any app from showing notification on your iPhone, all you need to, open your iPhone setting panel, click the ‘notifications’ panel, and move downward to select the actual app you want to disable. Click on the app and disable the ‘Allow Notifications’ button and disable all the settings in the ‘notification’.
BURYING YOUR SENSITIVE APP IN A FOLDER
Assuming you want to secure your sensitive app from anyone having access to your phone, you can bury the app in a folder and move the folder to another location. To do this, tap and hold the app icon until the rest icons on the screen start to wiggle.
Then move the app over another app at that spot, a folder will appear on the screen, move the app over the folder to bury it there. You can now move the folder to a hidden location outside the home screen.
HIDING DOWNLOADS FROM APP STORE HISTORY
You can hide your sensitive app from the list of downloads in the App store history. To do this, navigate to the app store to view the list of your previously downloaded apps. Tap the ‘Today’ button and Tap the user icon in the upper-right corner and click the ‘Purchased’ button. From the new panel shown, scroll down to view all the apps downloaded into the iPhone. Click on the sensitive app you want to hide so that it can disappear. In case you have lots of downloaded apps you can look up the sensitive app by searching for it with the search form at the top of the screen. Note that getting back this app to appear you need to you back to the same location and click the ‘get’ button. You don’t need to tap the iCloud download icon.
HIDING SENSITIVE APPS USING CUSTOM FIRMWARE
This option s not advisable but can be used when no other option exists and you find it extremely necessary to hide certain apps. The method allows you to install custom firmware on your iPhone to bypass some restrictions on it. This approach needs some alterations to your operating system and can make the iPhone vulnerable to malware attacks. Some free apps online can help you hide apps on your iPhone but some modifications and permissions must be made on your iPhone for the software to work effectively.
EXCLUDING THE APP FROM SEARCH AND SIRI SUGGESTIONS
Siri Suggestions display the frequently searched app on your screen. This could be dangerous if you usually search for your sensitive apps because it will be displaying on the Siri Suggestions even when you have hidden it with other methods. To hide the app from Siri suggestion, open the settings and click the Siri and find the app in it from the list of all the apps displayed. Click on the App and Disable all the options in the app to make it impossible to appear in Siri anymore.
You will see options such as ‘Learn from this App’, ‘Show in Search’, and ‘Show App’. Disable all the options and Siri suggestion will never show the app again.
MOVING THE APP TO APP LIBRARY
Modern iPhone such as iOS 14 on the iPhone can actually hide your sensitive app if you can move it to the App Library. By moving the sensitive app to your App Library, the App will only become visible if some search the library but the app wouldn’t be showing n any other location on the phone. In case you find it difficult to carry out this option just press n the app for few seconds from the list of actions that show up such as ‘Delete App’, ‘Move to App Library’, and ‘Cancel’. Select the option to move the app to App Library and the app will be moved to the App Library.
HIDING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS IN THE PHOTOS APP
You can hide your sensitive photos and videos by tapping the video or photo you want to hide, tap the share option from the list of options and move downwards from the next suggestions to select the ‘Hide’ option. The photo or video will be in the album named ‘Hidden’ within the photos app.
This option does not offer a 100% guarantee because anyone can still see the photos or videos if they search the photo apps and click on the hidden album.
USING DUMMY APPS TO HIDE FILES AND NOTES
You can lock Notes with face or finger ID in Apple Notes, similar apps such as Calculator, Turbo Vault, and Secret Folder Vault are locked folder where you can store photos, passwords, and other stuff.
Dummy Apps look less suspicious and could be a good location to hide important text information and photos. Though not a 100% safe approach, it still helps to restrict access to your vital information in case some are able to unlock your iPhone and gain access to information inside.
