How do I get rid of the hidden app folder in the App Library?

sfrierson wrote:

We understand what it’s for. But if we don’t have a use for it, it really does not reflect A’pples normal elegance… This big, ugly, empty folder on the apps page.

So hide something. Then it’ll still be big and ugly, but decidedly less empty.

I haven’t noticed the hidden folder (at all) (down there in the weeds) at the bottom of the app library.

The app library was itself decidedly controversial, too.

And as has been suggested before: Product Feedback - Apple

Hello~ I rarely even look at it and when I do I see an innocuous area…one certainly not worth working myself into a frenzy about. It can’t be removed so I just move along to something of importance. If you want to let Apple know your thoughts click on below …

Product Feedback - Apple

~Katana-San~

Akay97 wrote:

I am perturbed that they added it without an option to shut it off. I am the type to not hide things from my husband but the existence of it on my phone especially with him being an android user and not understanding really has caused an undertone of turmoil. And I’m not the only

In addition, he has a Private Space on his Android device. The option for the Private Space is visible on the phone whether it is used or not and the only way you would know if there is anything there is by signing in with a completely different Password.

https://support.google.com/android/answer/15341885?hl=en

It seems there is much more going on here then simply having a Hidden App folder on your phone, which can be easily viewed with the Passcode on your device. I suspect he has that to view the info on your phone, so he can view the Hidden folder anytime he wants.

It’s very annoying! I keep most of my apps in my App Library rather than the home page, and every time I scroll through my finger hits the hidden apps folder and it prompts me to put in a passcode. It’s not the worst thing in the world but it’s like getting a pop up ad

Akay97 wrote:

That’s not really a him issue as we are in a. Relationship TOgETHeR so it’s an us issue and I’d like to resolve it as it’s an undertone of turmoil I don’t need and didn’t ask for.

As far as my relationship I didn’t come here for advice on that so if you could please FOCUS on the actual issue or keep on scrolling friend.

Asked and answered. He also has the feature on his Android phone and it is called Private Space, it cannot be removed either. You might not have known about it, because you cannot access it.

CambridgeKev wrote:

You seem to miss the point. Yes if you want to hide things from your family or friends it is a useful tool but many people do not want to do that. They have open relationships and do not want to create conflict by being presumed to have something to hide.

Such conflict can lead to domestic violence and make people, particularly females, feel unsafe.

Likewise, parents will also not be able to monitor their children’s activities and in this corrupt day and age of on-line grooming having apps that are hidden means that they may not be able to keep their children safe.

I see nothing wrong with having the app should one wish to hide things from their family but I think it would be better if the folder could be switched off and removed for those of us that have nothing to hide

No, it is YOU who are missing the point, which is simply the hidden folder is part of iOS and can’t be deleted.

If you feel it should work differently you can tell Apple→Product Feedback - Apple

This is a user-to-user forum, where Apple is unlikely to notice your post. 

Kdatl1 wrote:

I want either the option to delete the hidden folder space or have a pw to unlock it. I am older. One day, my children are going to need access to my phone, which they do have access to now, but wouldn’t be able to unlock that folder to see nothing is in it. It is MY phone and I should have the option to modify security or eliminate this folder.

If you have never been an executor of an estate, you probably won’t understand this, so scroll on.

You have nothing to worry about. Since you said they do have access to your phone now, it is the same Passcode that is used to open the Hidden folder. It is incorrect to say they wouldn't be able to unlock the Hidden folder, because they absolutely would be able to do that with the Passcode.

Yes , I have been a Personal Representative for 2 estates and one of them did have an Apple device. It is important to know that without the Passcode to your device, no one will be able to open it. Apple does not save your Passcode and the Legacy Contact or the steps in the provided document to request access to a deceased family members account will not allow them to open your phone. It will give them access to your iCloud account online and if you have an iCloud backup, they can use that to restore it to a different Apple device to then have access to your data.

To expand on the 2 methods Apple has for accessing a deceased family members data, this document can be used to reset the device, only say it can be used again. All data on the phone will be wiped and all it does is remove the Activation Lock, it does not allow you to access the phone. With acceptable documentation you will be able to access the data that is stored in iCloud.

How to request access to a deceased family member’s Apple Account - Apple Support

Using the Legacy Contact gives the family members the same iCloud data without having to provide the court documentation that may be required with the previous method. It streamlines the process, but still will not let a family member unlock the phone to gain access to the data that is on it. The only data that is accessible is what is stored in iCloud and the all important iCloud backup that can be used to recreate the data that is on your device.

How to add a Legacy Contact for your Apple Account - Apple Support

In my opinion, you are doing everything correct. The Passcode is what is needed for access to your device and what helped me, was that and the Apple ID Password was stored in a safe that I had access to for my deceased family member. This allowed me to access the device, get the data from the device, sign the Apple ID out of the device so it could be used again, and finally delete the Apple ID. This was all done without needing any other documentation.

Akay97 wrote:

I am perturbed that they added it without an option to shut it off. I am the type to not hide things from my husband but the existence of it on my phone especially with him being an android user and not understanding really has caused an undertone of turmoil. And I’m not the only

Tell him you are not hiding any apps and show him if you wish. Hidden apps will still show in your Settings when viewing your Purchase History, so there is a record of what apps you have downloaded. This would actually be more reliable for an untrustworthy partner, because not only would it show any apps that may have been hidden, but would also show apps that you have deleted.

CambridgeKev wrote:

You seem to miss the point. Yes if you want to hide things from your family or friends it is a useful tool but many people do not want to do that. They have open relationships and do not want to create conflict by being presumed to have something to hide.

Such conflict can lead to domestic violence and make people, particularly females, feel unsafe.

Likewise, parents will also not be able to monitor their children’s activities and in this corrupt day and age of on-line grooming having apps that are hidden means that they may not be able to keep their children safe.

I see nothing wrong with having the app should one wish to hide things from their family but I think it would be better if the folder could be switched off and removed for those of us that have nothing to hide

if you’re in a relationship with anybody that involves activities reminiscent of Cardinal Richelieu’s six lines, they’re always going to find something to twist and to utilize. Always.

They’ll always find something nefarious about an ~empty feature phone, if they’re inclined. Merely being empty can be represented as suspicious.

And from many years in emergency services and many related calls, these situations only escalate.

As for parents and educators and parental controls, any strategy they implement will fail, if the kid is inclined to bypass the controls. Kids are naturally curious, observant, and resourceful.

This can’t be fixed with settings. Or with any tech. This is fundamentally a people issue.

Product marketing claims aside, you can’t fix people problems with tech.

CambridgeKev wrote:

You are so right. You cannot fix problems with tech but you can create problems with tech and this is a classic example of that

This does not create a problem that already exists; the existing problem is trust, and anyone looking for excuses to not trust will find them everywhere.

Manasseh79 wrote:

What do you mean, not big on options? Nearly every feature in the iOS can be switched off or on, or changed in some way. I see no reason why they wouldn’t have done it here, like everywhere else. If your having that much difficulty with looking up a setting, a smart phone is probably not for you. I know, I’m a tech myself, so I’m well aware of the difficulties. Makes no sense to not have the option though, that’s like not including the power button, just because people can’t find it.

Not true. You can’t change many things, like remove the App Library, change Photos back to the way it was, likewise for Calculator, likewise for the Calendar app, all features with current long threads of anguish.

There is a very good reason to have Hidden a fixed item. If it was elective, that would be a giveaway that the user had something to hide.

but FACT: it is there and you can’t get rid of it, so why do you persist in arguing about it?

johns945 wrote:

I don’t believe that it was demanded…..I think that is a lie.

The fact that you haven't spent much time in this forum, that you haven't read all the posts on the subject, doesn't make it a lie. It simply means you don't have all the facts.

Thank you for your thoughtful post. I see your point; Apple considers iOS devices as personal, which is probably why they haven’t implemented separate use accounts as they have on Macs (and also how Microsoft has implemented Windows). Given that it is a personal device, I think the hidden folder is a workaround for users who might occasionally let a child use their phone.

The fact that this has been a requested feature constantly for years has led to the hidden photos folder, hidden notes, hidden files, and now with iOS 18 hidden apps. Plus the competitive reason that Android has had it for quite a while.

Please submit your user account idea to Apple using the link Katana-San posted. I suggest keeping it brief, just suggesting multiple user accounts.

FB33EYE wrote:

EXACTLY!!! I think you explained the why people want it removed better than anyone here.

Bottom line, all you can do is send feedback. Once that is done, there is nothing left to do.

Product Feedback - Apple

• If you have a partner viewing the contents of your phone, they most likely have the Passcode to view the folder anyway. The passcode is what prevents any access to your phone and is the same one for the Hidden Folder.
• For the argument of monitoring children's activities, that is done with the Screen Time app. You have complete control over any app a child downloads. The app activity is still visible in Screen Time even if hidden.
• To view your child's conversations with the apps they use, such as Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, or WhatsApp to name a few, you must have the child's Passcode anyway. And yes, that should be done by a parent concerned about their communications and that same Passcode opens the Hidden Folder.

Hello~ You know who looks at my iPhone? Me and I don’t have to prove to anyone else what’s on it. When I look at the Hidden App Folder …I see an innocuous grey box that I have to swipe to the App Library page to even view and then scroll down to view. I just don’t understand what the big issue actually is…

~Katana-San~