# Do hidden apps still show anywhere?

> Yes. A hidden app leaves your Home Screen, but Apple says its name still shows in Settings › Hidden Apps, Screen Time, battery usage and App Store purchases.

Source: https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/hidden-app-names/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![Settings › Apps with Hidden Apps highlighted](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/img/shows-in--hidden-app-names.png)

- Answer: Yes, in places

Hiding an app removes the icon. It doesn't erase every trace of the name.

**Short answer:** **Yes, by name.** Hiding moves an App Store app into the locked **Hidden** folder in App Library. Apple lists places the name can still appear: **Settings › Apps › Hidden Apps** (needs Face ID), **Screen Time**, **Battery** usage and your **App Store purchase history**. Built-in apps like Photos can't be hidden at all.

The answer

## What shows and what doesn't

- **Home Screen**Icon removed
- **Hidden folder**Locked
- **Screen Time and Battery**Name visible
- **App Store purchases**Name visible

Why

## Why it works this way

Apple's Personal Safety guide lists where hidden apps' names can still be seen: **Settings › Apps › Hidden Apps** (after Face ID, Touch ID or passcode), **Settings › Screen Time**, **Settings › Battery** and **App Store purchase history**.

Only apps you download from the App Store can be hidden. Built-in apps, including Photos, can only be **locked**.

Teens 13 to 17 in Family Sharing can hide apps, but Apple says a parent can still see the app was downloaded and how long it is used.

By iOS version

## What changed across iOS versions

**Newest version first. Check yours in Settings › General › About.**

| Version | Released | What you see |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iOS 26 | September 15, 2025 | Hide and Require Face ID available for App Store apps. |
| iOS 18 | September 16, 2024 | Hide and Require Face ID available for App Store apps. |
| iOS 17 | September 18, 2023 | No Require Face ID: app locking arrived in iOS 18. |
| iOS 16 | September 12, 2022 | No Require Face ID: app locking arrived in iOS 18. |

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Questions

## Hidden app names: questions

### Can someone see apps I've hidden on my iPhone?

They can see the names in a few places. Apple lists Settings › Apps › Hidden Apps, which needs Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode, plus Screen Time, battery usage in Settings and your App Store purchase history. The icon itself only appears in the locked Hidden folder in App Library.

### Can I hide the Photos app?

No. Apple only lets you hide apps you downloaded from the App Store; apps that come with iPhone can't be hidden. You can lock Photos with Require Face ID on iOS 18 and later, which keeps its content out of search, Siri suggestions and notification previews.

Checked against Apple's documentation

- [Lock or hide apps on your iPhone (Personal Safety)](https://support.apple.com/guide/personal-safety/ipsd0be4c185/web)
- [Lock or hide an app on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph00f208d05/ios)

## Go deeper

- [App Library](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/glossary/app-library/)
- [Lock the Photos app](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/photos-app/)
- [Vault app](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/locks/vault/)

## More: do locked items show…?

- [Note photos in PhotosCan, by copy](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/note-photos-in-photos-app/)
- [Locked notes in searchTitle only](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-in-search/)
- [Locked note titlesYes](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-note-title/)
- [Locked notes on iCloud.comCustom password only](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-on-icloud-com/)
- [Locked notes on iPad and MacYes, still locked](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-notes-on-other-devices/)
- [Locked app notificationsNo previews](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-notifications/)
- [Locked apps in Search & SiriNo](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-search-siri/)
- [Locked apps on other devicesNot locked there](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-on-ipad-and-mac/)
- [CarPlay & call historyNo](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/locked-app-carplay-call-history/)
- [Hidden album lock on Mac & iCloud.comDifferent locks](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/hidden-album-lock-on-mac-and-icloud/)
- [Vault photos in PhotosUntil you delete](https://lockphotosoniphone.com/shows-in/vault-photos-in-photos-app/)