Want to Keep Certain Apps Private? Easily Lock & Hide Them!

Introduction

Keeping your information private is easier than ever on the iPad. Whether you want to protect a sensitive app with Face ID or simply hide certain apps from view, the iPad has privacy tools that put you in control. In this walkthrough, you’ll learn how to lock, hide, and later unhide apps on your iPad — all without using complicated settings.

Lock an App

You can lock individual apps directly from your Home Screen. If there’s an app you don’t want others to open without permission — such as Photos, Messages, or Notes — simply press and hold the app icon until a menu appears. From there, tap Require Face ID or Require Touch ID.

Once this is turned on, the next time someone tries to open that app, your iPad will ask for authentication. It’s a quick and secure way to protect personal content without having to lock your entire device. This is especially useful if you share your iPad with family members or friends.

Hide & Lock Apps

If you want to go a step further, you can hide and lock apps together. This completely removes the selected app from your Home Screen and Dock, keeping it private until you choose to reveal it.

To hide an app, long-press the app icon again, then select Hide and Require Face ID. Once hidden, it will no longer appear anywhere on your iPad — not even in search results. The app and its data remain safely stored on your device, just out of sight.

When you need to access it again, go to the App Library. You’ll find a Hidden folder at the bottom of the list. Tap it, authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, and your hidden apps will appear there. This provides a perfect balance between privacy and convenience.

Unhide & Unlock Apps

To unhide an app, open the Hidden folder in your App Library, authenticate with Face ID, and locate the app you want to restore. Press and hold the app, then choose Unhide from the menu. The app will return to your Home Screen where it originally was.

If you no longer want an app to require authentication, repeat the same steps as before but select Don’t Require Face ID. Your app will then open freely without additional verification. This flexibility lets you adjust privacy settings at any time as your needs change.

Wrap Up

The Lock and Hide Apps feature on the iPad gives you simple yet powerful privacy control. With just a long press, you can safeguard personal apps or remove them from view entirely. Whether you’re protecting sensitive information or simply decluttering your Home Screen, these new tools make managing privacy on your iPad easier than ever.