How can I unhide an app on my iPhone?

This topic has 7 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 1 week ago by Dashiell Knox.

Post

- September 22, 2025 at 9:11 am
Ryan Baker
Participant

Hey guys, I hid an app on my iPhone a while back—don’t even remember why at this point—and now I can’t figure out how to bring it back. I know some apps can be hidden using Screen Time restrictions, while others just get removed from the Home Screen but stay in the App Library. I’ve swiped around, searched, and even checked Settings, but I still feel like I’m missing a step. It’s frustrating because I use this app often now and don’t want to reinstall it unless that’s the only solution. Can someone explain how to “unhide” or make an app visible again on iPhone? Is it just dragging it back from the App Library, or do I need to toggle something in Screen Time?

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Replies

- September 22, 2025 at 9:12 am
Arlen Crowe
Participant
It’s either in your App Library or hidden by restrictions. For the first case, long-press and add it back. For the second, Screen Time settings need adjustment. Only if neither works should you reinstall.

This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by Arlen Crowe.
- September 22, 2025 at 9:13 am
Fenwick Troy
Participant

Hey! Try searching via Spotlight or check the App Library. If it’s restricted, head into Screen Time settings and allow it again. Simple fix usually.
- September 22, 2025 at 9:13 am
Osric Vale
Participant

Most “hidden” apps are just removed from the Home Screen. Swipe left to the App Library, hold the app, and select “Add to Home Screen.” For restrictions, adjust under Screen Time settings. If missing completely, reinstalling restores it with no data loss.
- September 22, 2025 at 9:14 am
Truman Rhodes
Participant

Go to the App Library, find the app, long-press, and tap “Add to Home Screen.” If restrictions hide it, adjust in Screen Time settings. Reinstall only if neither option works.
- September 22, 2025 at 9:15 am
Hollister Cain
Participant

If you can’t see the app, try Spotlight Search—swipe down on the Home Screen and type its name. If it shows up, that means it’s just off the Home Screen, so re-add it from the App Library. If it doesn’t appear in search, restrictions may be on. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy > Allowed Apps. Apps hidden by Screen Time won’t show until you allow them again. A reinstall from App Store is the last step.
- September 22, 2025 at 9:16 am
Eamon Burke
Participant

Check your App Library—it’s still there. Long-press the app and choose “Add to Home Screen.” If Screen Time restrictions hid it, go to Settings > Screen Time > Allowed Apps and toggle it back on.
- September 22, 2025 at 9:17 am
Dashiell Knox
Participant

Hi! This happens more often than you’d think, so you’re not alone. On iPhone, there are a couple of ways apps get “hidden.” The most common is when you remove it from your Home Screen—it doesn’t uninstall but only moves to the App Library. To get it back, swipe all the way left to the App Library, find the app, press and hold its icon, then tap “Add to Home Screen.” Done. If you used Screen Time restrictions (Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps), you’ll need to go back into Settings, disable restrictions for that specific app, and it’ll reappear. Sometimes people accidentally hide entire Home Screen pages—press and hold on the Home Screen, tap the dots at the bottom, and re-enable the hidden page. If none of that works, you can always reinstall from the App Store (won’t delete your data). Usually it’s just the App Library trick, though.