How to hide apps on iPhone

Rumor has it that Chinese policeman will randomly check people’s phone while taking public transportation or just walking on the road. If apps which are not supposed to be downloaded in China mainland are found, such as Twitter, Telegram, Facebook and so on, the phone owner would be fined.

This brings a lot concern. I want to find a secure way to help hide those apps in my iPhone. Here are some solutions.

The most secure way: Buy another back-up phone

Buying another phone shall be the most secure way.

Remember to only download apps and store files that are legitimate in China mainland in this new phone.

Always take it with you and whenever facing a check from the authority, just hand out this one.

However, this can be cumbersome as well as money-costing.

For android phone user: Turn on the guest mode

Most android phones support guest mode nowadays.

After setting up a new set of lock-screen password, whenever this password is passed in to unlock the phone, it will show another home screen rather than the one owner uses on a daily basis.

For iPhone user: Turn off some settings

Unfortunately iPhone doesn’t support guest mode even until iOS 16. Any app being downloaded on this phone can be found in App Gallery.

All we can do is to make it invisible from the Spotlight search:

1. Go to Setting.
2. Find the App you want to hide.
3. Tap on Siri and Search.
4. Simply turn off every toggle in this page.

Lock the app with password

If you are still worried about those apps being opened by others, we can lock them:

1. Go to Setting.
2. Find Screen Time.
3. Choose the apps that you don’t want others to find in App Limits, and set the time limit to 1 minute.
4. Add a passcode in Screen Time Passcode.

However, this still left 1 minute usage for others. But it’s the best way right now since Apple have not introduced lock-app feature.