How to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone: A Comprehensive Guide

I. Introduction

As a parent or an individual wanting to monitor his/her device, it can be frustrating to find hidden apps on your iPhone. You may have kids who use your phone, or you may have accidentally downloaded and hidden apps by mistake. Regardless of the cause, it is crucial to know how to find hidden apps on your iPhone.

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide on how to find hidden apps on iPhone. From method-based solutions to step-by-step guides, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to locate hidden apps like a pro.

II. Method-based Solutions

Before diving into the step-by-guide of finding hidden apps, it is essential to know the different approaches you can take. Here are three methods in which you can use to find hidden apps:

Using the search bar

The search bar is a useful tool that can help you find anything on your iPhone, including hidden apps. Simply swipe down on your home screen to reveal the search bar, and then type in the name of the app you’re looking for.

Checking App Store purchases

If you’ve accidentally hidden an app, it may still appear in your App Store purchase history. Here’s how to check:

1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner
3. Select “Purchased”

Using a third-party app

There are several third-party apps available on the App Store that you can download to help you find hidden apps. These apps work by scanning your device and displaying a list of all the apps installed, including any hidden ones. Examples include the Hidden Device Admin Detector app and the Norton App Lock app.

III. Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you know the different methods you can use to find hidden apps let’s dive into a step-by-step guide on how to find them:

Step 1: Identify common hiding places

Before searching for hidden apps, it’s important to know where to look. Some common places where apps might be hidden include:

• Inside folders
• Behind other apps
• Using sneaky icons

Step 2: Check for hiding apps in the App Library

If you have updated your iPhone to iOS 14 or later, you have an app library. To find it, swipe right on your home screen until you reach the last page. All apps on your phone will be listed here. If the app you are looking for is not seen on any of your home screens, it may be on the App Library. Here’s how to access it:

1. Go to your home screen.
2. Swipe left until you reach the app library.
3. Search for the app in the search bar at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Search by app name

If you don’t know where the app is, you can use the search bar to find it. Here’s how:

1. Swipe down on your home screen to reveal the search bar.
2. Type in the name of the app you’re looking for.
3. Press the search button on your keyboard.

Step 4: Check for sneaky icons

Sometimes people hide apps by disguising them as other icons. For example, they might make the icon look like a calculator or a game. To check if an app is hidden by this method:

• Swipe through all your home screens and look for icons that do not belong.
• Press and hold on the icon to reveal the app’s name.

Step 5: Try using Spotlight search

Spotlight search can help you find anything on your iPhone, including hidden apps. Here’s how to use it:

1. Swipe down on your home screen to reveal the search bar.
2. Type in the name of the app you’re looking for.
3. Press the search button on your keyboard.
4. If the app doesn’t appear, scroll down to the bottom of the search results and select “Search in App Store”.

Step 6: Check App Store purchase history

If you’ve accidentally hidden an app, it may still appear in your App Store purchase history. Here’s how to check:

1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Select “Purchased”.

IV. App Recommendations

If you’re struggling to find hidden apps on your iPhone, don’t worry! These apps can help:

App Cleaners

App cleaners scan your device for hidden and unused apps and then safely remove them. Popular options include CCleaner and PhoneClean.

Privacy Tools

Privacy tools help you manage sensitive information on your device, such as call logs and text messages, which can be used to hide apps. Examples include Lockdown and Keeply.

V. Common Hiding Places

Here are the most common places where users might hide apps on their iPhone:

• Inside folders: Look for folders containing icons that don’t appear to match the folder name.
• Behind other apps: Hidden apps may be behind other apps on your home screen.
• Using sneaky icons: Apps may be hidden by disguising themselves as other icons.

To find apps hidden in these places, be sure to search carefully and use the methods outlined above.

VI. Preventative Measures

If you want to prevent others from hiding apps on your iPhone in the first place, try these preventative measures:

Setting up parental controls

If you’re a parent, you can set up parental controls to prevent your children from downloading and hiding apps. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Select “Screen Time”.
3. Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions”.
4. Turn on the switch next to “Content & Privacy Restrictions”.

Disabling the ability to download apps

You can also disable the ability to download apps entirely

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap “Screen Time”.
3. Choose “App Limits”.
4. Select “add limit” and pick the apps that shouldn’t have any limits.
5. Tap “Next” and confirm the selections.
6. Turn on the switch next to “Block App Store” and make sure it turns green.

VII. Conclusion

In conclusion, finding hidden apps is a crucial skill that every iPhone user should know. By using method-based solutions and following the step-by-step guide we provided in this article, you’ll be able to discover all hidden apps on your device. By using preventive measures and installing recommended apps, you can prevent hidden apps from being a problem in the future. Remember to stay vigilant and always keep an eye out for those sneaky little apps.