To find hidden apps on the iPhone, you first need to inspect the App Store for hidden purchases. The app library can also contain hidden stuff, like apps installed directly in it. Some people use Screen Time to block apps, making them difficult to find.
However, with a professional parental control application, no hidden app is really hidden. So parents may need them to control what their children use on the phone.
Still, finding hidden apps on your iPhone is essential if you suspect someone has downloaded apps without permission. Look for hidden apps if you notice signs of tracking, such as excessive battery drain or if you can’t find apps you had previously installed on your iPhone.

It is also useful for parents to know how to track kid’s activities on iPhone. If your teenager is suddenly hiding their phone, it may help to look for dangerous and forbidden apps such as dating applications. Teenagers can use vault software to hide apps and make them impossible to find.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you uncover hidden apps on the iPhone — with in-built tools or parental control apps.
Note: we used iPhone 13 Pro Max with iOS 17.5.1 to create this guide.
While these apps aren’t truly hidden (as they can be found via search or settings), they can be obscured for organizational or privacy purposes. It’s essential for users to understand that third-party apps designed to hide or disguise apps could compromise privacy and security.
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Check Secret Apps in the App Store
The App Store is Apple’s app marketplace where people find bundled software developed for the iOS and iPad operating systems. The store allows iPhone users to download apps approved for Apple’s devices.
The App Store records all apps downloaded using your Apple ID, including those hidden or removed from the device.
To find hidden apps in the App Store:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile ID in the top-right corner.
- Click on View Account (the line with your name, email, and photo).
- Authenticate yourself with your passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.
- Scroll down and tap Hidden Purchases.
- All the hidden purchased apps will appear. Tap on the Unhide button to see the hidden apps. I don’t have any, so the tab is empty.
Find Hidden Stuff in the App Library
The app library on the iPhone is a new feature available on iOS 14 or later. It organizes apps by categories such as Entertainment, Social, or Creativity. If apps are hidden in the App library, their icons cannot be seen on the home screen.
To find hidden apps in the app library:
- Open the App library by swiping left on your iPhone home screen.
- Go to the folder where the app is located or search for it using the search bar function.
- Long press on the hidden app, drag and drop it to the Home Screen.
- Put the app anywhere on the home screen and tap “Done” to finish.
Manage Hidden Apps Using Screen Time
The Screen Time function allows you to see the time spent on your iPhone device. You can also use it to set app use times for yourself or a child on your Family Sharing group.
To unhide apps using the Screen Time feature:
- Open iPhone Settings and scroll down to Screen Time.
- Select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap Allowed Apps & Features. You may be asked to enter a passcode.
- You will see the list of allowed apps. If the toggle next to the app is gray, that app is invisible. Tap on the toggle to turn it green.
Restore iPhone Backup to See Hidden Apps
Apple lets you create iCloud and iTunes backups to secure your iPhone’s data. Hence, you can use iCloud or iTunes to restore hidden apps on your iPhone.
This method is ideal if you notice that you are missing multiple app icons and want a setup where all the apps are in a previously preferred arrangement.
Restoring an older backup will show previously hidden apps, but your phone will lose data since the time of that backup.
To restore an iPhone backup from iCloud, you need to ensure that the backup option is on and reset the iPhone to choose a backup.
To do this, go to Settings > Tap on your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup – [Back Up Now]. This option will verify that you have backed up your iPhone.
Then, to restore iPhone backup to see hidden apps:
- Go back to the Settings and tap on General.
- Scroll down till you find Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap on it and then click [Erase All Content and Settings].
- Confirm erasing the iPhone. If you backed it up, you should not worry.
- Enter the passcode to iPhone, the uploading data to iCloud to begin. Then, enter the Apple ID password to turn off the Activation lock.
- Once the phone factory resets, it will open a [hello] screen. Follow the onscreen prompts until you see the Apps and Data option.
- Tap the Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Log in with your Apple ID. You will see the backup page with a list of all the backups from the most recent.
- Tap on the backup you want to restore. Tap continue and wait for the transfer to complete.
- Follow the next onscreen to finish setting your iPhone. Once set-up is complete, you will see the previously hidden apps on the home screen.
Search Secret Apps on iPhone with Shortcuts
The Spotlight feature and Siri are useful shortcuts that can unhide apps on your iPhone if you know their name.
How to Use the Spotlight Feature to Open Hidden Apps
- Swipe down on the home screen to see the search bar.
- Tap the search field and then type the app’s name.
- Tap on the app’s icon once it appears under the search bar to open it.
How to Use Siri to Find Hidden Apps on iPhone
Siri is Apple’s digital assistant that allows you to perform tasks on an iPhone by voice input. You can use this voice assistant to make calls, send texts, and use apps.
- To use Siri, press the Home Button or Side Button.
- Make your request by saying, “Show me [the hidden app’s] name.
- You can also just say, “Hey Siri, show me [hidden app’s] name without pressing the home or side button.
If Siri doesn’t work on your iPhone, you can turn it on by going to Settings > Siri & Search. Here you can turn Siri on and choose how to ask Siri, the language, Siri voice etc.
How to Find Hidden Deleted Apps on iPhone
You can find a hidden delete app on iPhone by looking at apps that are not on your iPhone but were once purchased from the App store. Apple maintains a list of all the apps you have ever purchased and deleted, so you can go back to the App Store and download them again.
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Go to Purchases or My Purchases and open the [Not in this phone] tab. If you are using Family Sharing in iOS 17.4 or higher, you will find this option in Apps > My Apps.
- Apps that are on the phone will have an Open button next to them, while deleted apps will have a cloud and download icon next to them.
- Tap the download icon to add the deleted app to your phone.
How to Unhide Apps on iPhone
If you can’t find apps on your iPhone’s home screen, you can reset the home screen layout to reveal the hidden apps.
However, resetting the home screen will return it to the default, which means your apps will no longer be arranged to your liking. In addition, it will remove apps hidden in folders and add them to the default iPhone home screen layout.
To reset the home screen layout:
- Open the Settings app and go to General.
- Then scroll down to the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
- Tap the Reset option.
- You will see a list of reset settings. Select the Reset Home Screen Layout setting. Confirm your choice and wait for the process to complete. When it’s finished, you will see all your apps on the home screen.
How to Find Vault and Hidden Apps on a Kid’s iPhone
You can find hidden apps on your kid’s iPhone by following the steps we have outlined here. However, if you don’t have access to their phone when you want to, you can use third-party tracking apps for parental control like mSpy, uMobix, and Eyezy.
How to use Eyezy to Find an App on iPhone that is Hidden
Eyezy installs on an iPhone using iCloud sync.
- Go to eyezy.com to create an account.
- Choose iPhone as the device you want to monitor.
- Enter the iCloud credentials of your child’s iPhone, then the Apple ID verification code sent to the target device. Also, ensure that backup is enabled on their device.
- Go to the Eyezy online dashboard and scroll down to the Files Finder option. Choose Installed apps to see all applications, including the ones hidden in folders.
Beyond revealing apps installed on an iPhone, Eyezy tracker can show you app usage. It can tell you how long a child spent on an app and the time they accessed it. Moreover, Eyezy can monitor text messages, call logs, social media, and internet usage.
What is a Vault App for iOS?
A vault app is a software application designed to hide information, such as apps, photos, videos, passwords, and other personal data. Vault apps designed for iPhone work specifically for iOS devices. These applications mimic harmless software like a calculator or notes app.
What Apps Parents Should Be Aware of?
These are the vault apps that your child can use to hide apps. Knowing what to search on their iPhone, you’ll be a step forward.
Private Photo Vault
Private Photo Vault is designed for hiding photos and videos. It works on iOS 12.0+ and offers encrypted cloud backup, photos & videos management, and private web browsing.
Vault
Vault is one of the most popular apps for hiding photos and videos. It backs photos and data to the cloud. The application requires a passcode or Touch ID to unlock, and it will launch a different feature when you put the iPhone face down.
KeepSafe Secret Photo Vault
Secret Photo Vault by KeepSafe is a photo locker and album vault app. The software icon does not show up in the recently used apps list, and it’s disguised as a calculator. This application also requires a PIN or Touch ID which makes it hard to crack.
Best Secret Folder
Best Secret Folder looks like a travel app. It’s used to hide photos, videos, and media in a private folder that is password-protected.
Conclusion
Searching the App Store for hidden apps in your purchases is the best chance of uncovering apps hidden on yours or a child’s iPhone. Still, you can find hidden spy apps in the app library or use iPhone’s spotlight search to unhide apps.
When these methods fail, you can reset your iPhone or use a parental control app for iPhone to see installed apps. Lastly, look out for vault apps, since they are popular among kids who want to hide stuff from parents and guardians. Professional parental control app will help you with this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, they can be hidden. To hide apps from the iPhone home screen, hold on an unoccupied part of the screen until the apps start to jiggle. Tap on the minus sign on the corner of the app you want to hide.
Look at the app library and restore apps hidden in the folders to the home screen. You may be asked to authenticate your Apple ID before removing an app from a hidden folder.
Go to the App Store and check for apps not on the iPhone from the purchases list.
The iPhone has a Hidden Album in the Utilities folder that requires authentication to unlock. You can hide photos and videos so that they don’t appear in the library, photos widget, or the home screen.
Find the app in the library, then touch and hold it. Choose the add to home screen option to put it back to the iPhone home tab.
Tap and hold the app’s icon until a menu appears, then tap add to Home Screen.
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