iPhone’s secret app folder has three huge flaws you need to know about to avoid getting caught out

The latest flagship operating system, iOS 18, introduced a magnitude of new features for iPhone users.

When it launched on September 16th, anyone with a compatible iPhone could make use of the newly redesigned control centre and photos app, along with the new methods of personalising your phone’s home screen.

One of the most notable additions to iOS 18 is also the ability to lock and hide apps on your iPhone.

Whether you don’t want family or friends to see just how many games you play, or you want to keep your TikTok addiction a secret, the feature allows you to keep those precious apps away from prying eyes.

If someone’s ‘checking what games you have’ on your fancy iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, or watching a hilarious meme you’ve discovered, the hidden app feature can prevent anyone checking out what you use the most.

Especially if you have a spicy app or two taking center stage.

Hidden iPhone apps can't stay hidden for long, if your friends and family know their tech. (The Good Brigade via Getty images.)

How to hide an app on iPhone

To hide an app on your iPhone (iOS 18) just follow the steps below:

• Navigate to the Home Screen
• Swipe left and go to App Library
• Tap the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library & authenticate using FaceID or Passcode
• To use app, authenticate using FaceID or Passcode again

With the app of your choice hidden, it won’t appear in notification previews, search or even your call history.

However, while it’s a neat addition to the iOS 18 line-up, it’s not perfect. For those tech-savvy enough, there are ways to get around this new Apple feature.

Hopefully, friends and family can’t monopolise on your FaceID or Passcode, as that’s for your use only. So your locked and hidden apps will safe where they're concerned. Yet, there are still three huge flaws with the hidden app feature.

Hidden apps screen time is still visible

If you regularly crank up the hours on TikTok, and don’t want family and friends to see the proof, sadly even the hidden app feature won’t hide the evidence of your music-app related crimes.

Proof of your dastardly TikTok deeds, and any other apps you've chosen to hide, will still be logged in your iPhone's screen time.

Anyone who goes into your iPhone Settings > Screen Time can still see exactly what you've been using, and for how long.

Proof of the app will exist on the App Store

The Apple App Store will make you aware of any app you've downloaded, and sadly that includes any app you want locked and hidden away.

While it might be rude for someone to check up on your purchases, going to the Purchase History on the App Store will reveal all apps, and I mean, all of them.

Fixes for these oversights may come in a future iOS 18 update. (Richard Drury via Getty images.)

Hidden apps will appear in Battery Health settings

Just like in your Screen Time settings, your Battery Health settings of your iPhone can also make any hidden apps known and out in the open.

Going to your iPhone Settings > Battery > Battery Health, will show any and all apps which are draining your fancy phone's battery. This, can of course, include any locked or hidden away apps, especially if they're to blame for being a battery drain.

As of writing, it's only been over a month since iOS 18 first hit our iPhones, so it's likely Apple is still working out the kinks. There's even already been an 18.0.1 update, which brought a series of fixes to the brand-new smart phone operating system, so fixes for these massive oversights could still be on the cards.