How to Unhide Apps on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
Our smartphones contain a plethora of apps that we use on a daily basis. But sometimes, we might need to hide an app, for various reasons, such as preventing others from seeing our private information or keeping a clean and tidy home screen. However, there may come a time when we need to unhide these apps. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to unhide apps on iPhone, so that you can have all your apps visible again!
Step-by-Step Guide
If you have previously hidden apps on your iPhone, there are two ways to unhide them: via the home screen or through the App Store.
Unhide Apps via the Home Screen
- Unlock your iPhone and go to the home screen.
- Press and hold the home screen until the apps begin to shake.
- Look for the app that you want to unhide.
- Tap on the ‘+’ icon in the corner of the app.
- The app will now be restored to its original position on the home screen.
- Press the home button to exit editing mode.
Note: If you have hidden the app in a folder, you will need to navigate to that specific folder and repeat the steps above.
Unhide Apps via the App Store
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and find the ‘Hidden Purchases’ section.
- Locate the app that you want to unhide and tap on it.
- Tap the cloud icon next to the app to re-download it.
- The app will now appear on your home screen as before.
Using Videos
For some users, following a video tutorial might be more helpful than following written instructions. Here are some popular video tutorial platforms and resources:
- YouTube
- LinkedIn Learning
- Lynda.com
- Udemy
If you choose to watch a video tutorial, it can be helpful to have a transcript of each step available to make following along easier. Some videos might already provide subtitles or transcripts, but if they don’t, consider writing them out yourself.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about hiding apps on the iPhone, including how to unhide them:
How can I tell if an app is hidden on my iPhone?
Check your home screen(s) and any folders for the missing app. Alternatively, go to the App Store and search for the app. If it says ‘Open’ next to the app name, then it is not hidden.
Can I unhide multiple apps at once?
Yes, you can unhide as many apps as you want using the methods mentioned above – one at a time.
What happens to an app’s data when it’s hidden?
When you hide an app, its data is not deleted. When you unhide it, the data will be restored as before.
Troubleshooting Guide
Here are some common issues that you might experience when trying to unhide apps:
The app is still missing after following the steps above.
Check your iPhone’s restrictions settings. If restrictions are enabled for that app, it will not appear on your home screen. To change this, go to Settings → General → Restrictions and enter your passcode. Then, turn off restrictions for that app.
The app is not showing up in my ‘Hidden Purchases’ section in the App Store.
Make sure that you are logged in with the same Apple ID that you used to download the app in the first place.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts to avoid any issues when trying to unhide apps on your iPhone:
- Do remember your restrictions passcode if you have set one.
- Do keep track of which apps you have hidden, so that you can easily unhide them in the future.
- Don’t delete an app if you want to keep its data, even if you have hidden it by mistake.
- Don’t forget to check the App Store to see if the app is hidden there (in the ‘Hidden Purchases’ section).
Personal Experience
Recently, I was helping a friend unhide some apps on their iPhone that they had hidden a while ago and had forgotten how to unhide them. We followed the steps I’ve outlined in this article – first by checking the home screen and then by checking the ‘Hidden Purchases’ section in the App Store. Luckily, the apps were in the ‘Hidden Purchases’ section, and we were able to unhide them easily by tapping on the cloud icon next to each app.
This experience highlighted the importance of keeping track of which apps you have hidden or deleted and knowing how to unhide them, just in case you need them in the future. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily unhide any app on your iPhone.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned how to unhide apps on iPhone, you can have all your apps visible again. Whether you choose to follow the steps using the home screen or the App Store, the process is quick and easy. If you have any issues along the way, don’t forget to refer to the troubleshooting guide or the FAQs section. Keep the Do’s and Don’ts in mind to avoid any potential issues, and consider watching a video tutorial if you find that more helpful.
