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Unveiling the Secrets: How to Hide Recently Added Apps on iOS 14

So, you’ve been exploring the app store like a kid in a candy shop, downloading everything that catches your eye. Now, your home screen resembles a digital jungle, and perhaps you’d prefer a more curated look. The burning question: How do you hide those recently added apps on iOS 14? The answer, thankfully, is elegantly simple. You can’t directly hide a list of recently added apps in a dedicated view, because there isn’t one. iOS 14 introduced the App Library, which serves as a comprehensive repository of all your apps. To “hide” recently added apps, you prevent them from appearing on your home screen upon download. This is achieved by choosing to have newly downloaded apps only appear in the App Library and not automatically added to your home screen.

Here’s how:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on “Home Screen.”
Under the “Newly Downloaded Apps” section, you’ll see two options: “Add to Home Screen” and “App Library Only.”
Select “App Library Only.”

From now on, any app you download will only appear in the App Library. It won’t clutter your home screen, giving you the clean and organized aesthetic you crave. Problem solved.

Diving Deeper: The Nuances of App Hiding on iOS 14

While the above method prevents new apps from automatically appearing on your home screen, understanding the nuances of iOS 14’s app management is crucial for true mastery. The App Library groups apps into categories, making it relatively easy to find what you’re looking for. However, if you truly want to “hide” an app, meaning make it less discoverable, you need to remove it from your home screen and possibly bury it within the depths of the App Library folders. This method can be quite effective for maintaining privacy and personalizing your device.

Removing Apps from the Home Screen

This process doesn’t uninstall the app; it merely removes its icon from your home screen:

Tap and hold on the app icon you want to remove.
A menu will appear. Select “Remove App.”
You’ll be presented with two choices: “Delete App” (which uninstalls the app) and “Remove from Home Screen.”
Choose “Remove from Home Screen.” The app will disappear from your home screen but remain accessible in the App Library.

Navigating the App Library for Enhanced Organization

The App Library automatically organizes your apps into categories like “Social,” “Entertainment,” “Utilities,” and “Recently Added.” While you can’t directly rename these categories, understanding how iOS populates them is key to indirectly controlling app placement:

App Store Category: The category the app developer assigns in the App Store directly influences where it lands in the App Library.
App Usage: iOS learns how you use your apps and might shift them between categories based on usage patterns.

Advanced Techniques: Creating Custom Home Screen Pages

One clever strategy is to create a dedicated home screen page for less frequently used apps and then “hide” that entire page.

Move the apps you want to “hide” onto a single home screen page. This may require some rearrangement of your current app layout.
Tap and hold on an empty area of your home screen until the icons start to jiggle.
Tap the dots at the bottom of the screen, representing your home screen pages.
Uncheck the box beneath the home screen page you want to hide.
Tap “Done.” The entire page, along with its apps, will be hidden from view, accessible only through the App Library.

This method is far more effective than leaving seldom used apps scattered across various home screens.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify app hiding and management on iOS 14:

Can I password-protect individual apps on iOS 14 without third-party apps?

No, iOS 14 doesn’t offer a built-in feature to password-protect individual apps. You can use parental controls (Screen Time) to limit access or content, but it’s not a true password lock. For individual app locking, you’ll need to explore third-party solutions, though proceed with caution as some might compromise your privacy.
Does hiding an app from the home screen delete it from my iPhone?
No, removing an app from the home screen only removes its icon from the home screen pages. The app remains installed on your iPhone and is accessible through the App Library. You are only removing the shortcut, not the entire app.
How do I find hidden apps in the App Library?
Simply swipe left past your last home screen page to access the App Library. You can browse the automatically generated categories or use the search bar at the top to quickly locate a specific app.
Can I organize the App Library categories?
Unfortunately, no. iOS automatically categorizes apps in the App Library based on their App Store category and usage patterns. You cannot manually rearrange or rename these categories.
If I delete an app from the App Library, does it delete the app data as well?
Yes, deleting an app from the App Library is the same as uninstalling it from your iPhone. All associated data (documents, settings, etc.) will be removed.
How do I add an app back to the home screen from the App Library?
Locate the app in the App Library. Tap and hold on the app icon, then select “Add to Home Screen.” The app icon will reappear on the next available space on your home screen.
Will hiding apps affect notifications?
No, hiding an app from the home screen does not affect notifications. You will still receive notifications from the app based on your notification settings.
Can I hide apps from Spotlight search?
Yes, you can prevent an app from appearing in Spotlight search results. Go to Settings > Siri & Search, select the app, and toggle off “Show App”.
How do I hide system apps like Calculator or Compass on iOS 14?
You can remove some system apps from your home screen using the same “Remove from Home Screen” method. However, not all system apps can be completely deleted or removed.
Is there a limit to the number of home screen pages I can create on iOS 14?
While there isn’t a strictly defined limit, creating an excessive number of home screen pages can negatively impact performance and make navigation cumbersome. A more organized approach with fewer pages is generally recommended.
What happens if I reset my home screen layout?
Resetting your home screen layout (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout) will restore all default apps to their original positions and alphabetize all other apps on your home screen pages. Apps previously removed from the home screen will reappear.
Does “Offload Unused Apps” hide apps?
No, “Offload Unused Apps” (Settings > App Store > Offload Unused Apps) automatically removes apps you haven’t used in a while to free up storage space. While the app icon remains on your home screen, it will have a download icon indicating it needs to be re-downloaded when tapped. It doesn’t truly “hide” the app, but it does declutter your device and saves space.

By understanding these features and techniques, you can master the art of app management on iOS 14 and create a personalized and streamlined mobile experience. Enjoy your newly organized iPhone!