I’m curious if there’s a way to remove certain apps from showing up in the App Library on my phone. I want to organize my screen and keep specific apps private. Any suggestions or tips on how this can be achieved?
Oh, you wanna hide apps in the App Library? Yeah, about that… Apple decided that privacy ain’t part of their vibe in this case. There’s no straightforward way to make apps completely vanish from the App Library. That thing pulls every single app installed on your phone and just shows it off like it’s throwing a party you didn’t ask for.
Now, if you’re looking to get sneaky, you can remove the app from your Home Screen so it only shows up in the App Library. Just hold down on the app icon, hit ‘Remove App,’ and then select ‘Remove from Home Screen.’ Boom—less clutter on your main screens. But yeah, anyone who knows to swipe over to the App Library is gonna find it anyway, so not full-proof.
If you’re thinking ‘oh, maybe some settings tweak or like a jailbreak hack,’ well, that’s a rabbit hole. Jailbreaking can give you more control over hiding apps, but it’s also risky, kills your warranty, and could leave you crying over a bricked phone. Not to mention most people don’t even bother with jailbreaking anymore—Apple locks things down like Fort Knox.
The only other ‘workaround’ (and I’m using that term very generously) is going nuclear and deleting the app entirely. But then you’re stuck re-downloading every time you wanna use it. Not ideal, right?
So yeah, hide apps from the Library? Nah, Apple’s not into letting you play secret agent. Hope you figure out something that works for ya, because they sure aren’t making it easy!
Hiding apps from the App Library? LOL, yeah, good luck with that. Apple gave us the App Library like, ‘Here’s all your apps in one place whether you asked for it or not!’ So, @himmelsjager’s right—there’s no way to legit hide anything from the Library. It’s like Apple wants to flex how much control they have over your device. Privacy? Nah, not their priority here.
But let me throw this funky idea your way—folders. I know, I know, that sounds like a ‘boomer’ move, but hear me out. You could group apps into subtly named folders in the App Library. Sure, it doesn’t erase them, but it makes the app less noticeable at a glance. Rename a folder something like 'Stuff I Never Use” or even a yawn-inducing name like ‘Utilities.’ Psychologically, people don’t click on boring stuff.
Alternatively, you can use Time Restrictions under Screen Time settings to lock down certain apps, so even if someone finds them in the App Library, they can’t open the app without entering a code. Is it a REAL solution? Nope. But it’s something to make you feel crafty, I guess.
And hey, speaking of sneaky moves, consider distraction tactics. Change the app icon using Shortcuts and slap on something utterly dull, like a gear icon or a blank square. The whole ~hide by disguising~ thing. Buuut, this doesn’t hide the app in the Library either; it’s just about playing mind tricks on casual snoopers.
TL;DR: Unless Apple decides to chill with the ‘no options for privacy’ thing, you’re stuck with flawed half-measures like these. Or maybe just burn your phone and live in a cabin off the grid, but where would we be without memes? Priorities!