Learn How to Boost Your iPhone’s Security with This Simple Trick
Apple continues to push the envelope on security and privacy features. With iOS 18, they’ve added exciting new ways to lock and hide apps, allowing you to control who accesses your most sensitive data. Whether you want to protect your personal apps or keep your social life under wraps, this guide will show you a simple trick to hide apps and boost your iPhone’s security.
What’s New in iOS 18?
Apple introduced several security enhancements with iOS 18, including a convenient way to lock and hide apps. This feature allows you to require Face ID or Touch ID to open specific apps or even tuck them away in a hidden folder.
Once an app is hidden, it will no longer show up in searches, notifications, app suggestions, or call history. Services like Uber or WhatsApp will be discreetly removed from your routes and contacts until you decide otherwise.
This trick works with both Apple’s native apps and third-party ones, so you have flexibility in protecting the apps you care about most.
How to Lock or Hide an App
Follow these steps to lock or hide any app on your iPhone using iOS 18:
- Ensure you are running iOS 18.
- Long press the app icon of the app you want to hide or lock.
- Tap the option “Require Face ID” (or Touch ID). Not all apps offer this option, particularly settings-heavy ones like the Camera or Settings apps.
- Confirm by tapping “Require Face ID” again, or if the option is available, tap “Hide and Require Face ID.” This feature works seamlessly with third-party apps.
Now, your app is hidden and locked. The app will no longer appear in search results, notifications, or even in your route history if it’s a ride-hailing app.
How to Find Hidden Apps
Once hidden, locating these apps is a breeze. Follow these steps:
- Swipe right to left to access your App Library.
- Swipe down to reveal the Hidden folder.
- Authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID.
- The hidden apps will be displayed, and you can open or disable the hidden/locked feature by long-pressing the icon.
This simple trick allows you to enhance the security of your iPhone and keep your apps private, adding a layer of protection to your device.