By Jennifer | Last Updated
"I have too many apps on my iPhone, so I can't find any given app in the folders and pages of my home screen. If I can't find it, how do I delete it?"
The iPhone is a powerful device packed with features designed to enhance your experience. However, over time, you may find your home screen cluttered with apps you rarely use. Sometimes, these apps become "hidden," meaning they are installed but not visible on your home screen. This can make managing your iPhone more challenging, particularly when it comes to storage, performance, and privacy. In this article, we’ll explore what hidden apps are, why you might want to delete them, and how to do so effectively.
Outlines:
Hidden apps on an iPhone refer to applications that are installed on your device but are not visible on the home screen. This can occur for several reasons:
There are several compelling reasons to delete hidden apps from your iPhone:
Free Up Storage: Hidden apps take up storage space, which can be crucial, especially if you're running low on memory. Deleting these apps can free up iPhone space for more important files, photos, or new apps that you actually use.
Improve Performance: Every app installed on your iPhone uses system resources, even if you’re not actively using it. Over time, these apps can slow down your device. Deleting hidden apps can help boost your iPhone’s performance, making it faster and more responsive.
Enhance Privacy: Some apps, even when hidden, may have access to your personal information or run background processes. Removing these apps helps safeguard your privacy, ensuring that only trusted applications have access to your data.
Comply with Restrictions: If you've set up parental controls or specific screen time settings, you may need to remove certain hidden apps to ensure compliance with these restrictions.
The App Library is a handy tool for managing all your apps, including the hidden ones.
Step 1: On the iPhone home screen, swipe left until you reach the App Library.
Step 2: Enter the name of the application you want to delete in the search bar. When the app appears, press and hold it until a menu appears. Tap Delete App, and tap Delete again in the pop-up window to confirm your decision.
If cannot find the app on your iPhone home screen or any folder, you can use Settings to remove the unwanted app directly from iPhone.
Step 1: Move to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Step 2: Scroll down and click on the app that you want to remove, select Delete App at the bottom of the screen. Then tap Delete App to confirm the deletion.
The App Store on the iPhone is a great resource to find all the apps installed on your iPhone and remove the ones you don't need. But this method only works for purchased apps.
Step 1: Click the App Store on your iPhone, then tap the profile icon in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Scroll down and look for the name of the apps under "Updated Recently" and "Available Updates". If the app is available under the two lists, swipe left on its name. Click on Delete to remove the apps.
Spotlight Search is a quick way to find any app on your iPhone, even if it’s hidden.
Step 1: Swipe down from the middel of iPhone home screen to bring up the Spotlight search. Or you can tap the Spotlight search icon on the home screen to open Spotlight search.
Step 2: Enter the name of the app you want to delete in the search bar.
Step 3: Press and hold the app icon until the menu comes. Then tap Delete App to remove the hidden app.
iSunshare iDevice Genius can help you to remove third-party apps for your iPhone, including the hidden apps, which is of great help to free up space on iPhone.
Step 1: Download and install iDevice Genius on your PC, and make sure your iPhone is connected to computer with USB cable. Furthermore, you should make sure the newest iTunes has been installed on your computer.
Step 2: Select Uninstall option on the left menu. Then click on the Scan button on the right menu.
Step 3: Do not use your device during the scanning process.
Step 4: Once the scan is complete, it will show all the third-party apps you have installed, including hidden apps, click the uninstall button to remove the apps you don't need.
Q1: Can I permanently hide apps without deleting them?
Yes, you can move apps to the App Library without showing them on the home screen. You can also use restrictions in Screen Time to hide apps from view without deleting them.
Q2: Where can I find the hidden apps on iPhone?
You can find hidden apps on your iPhone in several places, depending on how they were hidden. You can refer to the above methods to find and delete them.
Q3: Will deleting hidden apps affect my data?
Yes, of course. It will remove its data from the iPhone. Thus, you should back up your iPhone data before deleting the app.
Q4: How can I hide apps on my iPhone?
The simplest way to hide an app is to long press the app icon and tap Remove App on the menu. After that, choose Remove from Home Screen to hide the app in App Library. In this way, the app cannot be found o the Home screen.
Whether you’re trying to free up storage, improve battery life, or simply keep your phone tidy, following the steps outlined above will help you achieve these goals effectively.
