Among the many iOS 18 options Apple introduced at WWDC 2024, the power to lock and conceal apps was a standout.
Nicely, in a way, it is the reverse of standing out as a result of it means customers can stop individuals from accessing sure apps or disguise them altogether. Locking and hiding apps are associated options that require Face ID to open them. It is a welcome replace for the privacy-minded.
Tips on how to lock your apps
On the house display screen, lengthy press on the app you wish to lock, similar to you’d for rearranging or modifying apps. From the checklist of choices, there is a new possibility on the underside that claims “Require Face ID.” Faucet this feature. Subsequent a window pops up asking if you wish to require Face ID or disguise the app and require Face ID. Faucet “Require Face ID to confirm your choice.
Now you can lock your Pictures app and require Face ID to open it.
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Your app is now locked to anybody else. You will discover this as a result of the subsequent time you open the app, Face ID does a fast scan to verify your identification earlier than granting entry to the app.
Tips on how to disguise your apps
Identical to you’d for locking an app, lengthy press on the app you wish to disguise and discover the choice that claims “Require Face ID.” As a substitute of tapping “Require Face ID,” faucet “Hide and Require Face ID.” You will obtain a discover saying the app will not be seen on your private home display screen. Faucet “Hide App” to verify.
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The choice to cover apps is not presently accessible for all apps — particularly the Pictures app.
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Voila, the app magically disappears from your private home display screen. However it’s not solely invisible. The hidden app remains to be accessible in a “Hidden Apps” folder. This may be discovered on the backside of the “Apps” web page.
In case you are questioning, all iPhones with the iOS 18 replace have the Hidden Apps folder, so even when you have not hidden any apps, the folder nonetheless exists. This could obscure any lingering questions on whether or not or not you’ve hidden apps. To open the Hidden Apps folder and entry these apps, Face ID is required.
All iOS 18 customers have the Hidden App library, so concern not!
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We have seen that sure apps are unhide-able, so whenever you lengthy press on an app, you may not have the choice to cover it. To date, we have found this to be the case for built-in apps like Calculator, Maps, Clock, Shares, and most notably, Pictures.
So for those who’re attempting to cover sure, ahem, express, pictures, you may must select and conceal them the quaint means. It is unclear whether or not it is a everlasting selection or will come later with a brand new iOS 18 model. That mentioned, you may disguise most third celebration apps like Spotify, Venmo, and cell banking apps.
Tips on how to unlock or unhide your apps
To unlock an app, merely lengthy press once more and faucet “Don’t Require Face ID” from the app shortcuts.
To unhide an app, swipe via to the App Library and scroll right down to the Hidden Apps folder. This requires Face ID to open. As soon as your identification has been verified, it’s going to present your hidden apps. Lengthy press on the app you wish to unhide and faucet “Don’t Require Face ID.”
Sadly, the app you simply unhid would not robotically reappear on the house display screen, so you may must manually add it again in. It is unclear if it is a bug or if un-hidden apps will robotically reappear in a future replace.
