How to Delete Hidden Apps on iPhone

Why you should delete hidden apps on iPhone

Hidden apps are usually hidden for a reason. For instance, someone could have installed a monitoring tool to spy on you and then hid it to avoid detection. Or, a malicious configuration profile you accidentally downloaded might be running hidden apps to collect your data. That's why it's important to know not only how to find hidden apps on your iPhone but also how to remove them.

Even if the hidden apps are ones you installed yourself and simply forgot about, they could be outdated, vulnerable to security issues, or just take up space and slow down your device. So, it's always worth regularly checking to make sure none of that is happening.

Running a jailbroken or outdated version of iOS makes it easier for spyware to run unrestricted on your iPhone. Clario Anti Spy is an anti-spyware tool that can detect hidden jailbreaks and alert you if you're on an unsafe version of iOS.

Here's how to run a Device system check with Clario Anti Spy:

1. Download Clario Anti Spy and subscribe to create an account.
2. Tap Scan under Device system check.
3. Wait for the scan to complete and follow the instructions to deal with any issues.
4. If you have questions, tap the Messages icon to connect to a security expert 24/7.

Worried someone's unlocking your iPhone? Clario Anti Spy also includes a feature that takes a snapshot of anyone who tampers with the device without your permission. Just turn on the switch next to Unlock catcher to enable it.

How to remove hidden apps on iOS

Your iPhone offers several ways to remove apps from the Home Screen—check out how to hide apps in iOS 18. Fortunately, finding hidden apps and deleting them is fairly easy. You can use Spotlight Search, the App Library, Settings, or even the App Store to locate and uninstall apps on your iPhone that are hidden.

1. Deleting hidden apps using Spotlight search

Even if an app is hidden from the Home Screen, it will most likely still show up in Spotlight. This makes Spotlight one of the easiest ways to find and delete hidden apps on your iPhone—assuming you know what you are looking for.

To remove hidden apps on iPhone using Spotlight search:

1. Swipe down on any empty area of the Home Screen to open Spotlight.
2. Type the app's name into the search bar.
3. If the app appears, long-press it under Top Hit and tap Delete App.

Parental control software and location trackers can be misused as tools for spying. For example, mSpy is an app that can easily be turned into stalkerware, and it's available directly from the App Store—learn how to detect mSpy on your iPhone.

2. Removing hidden apps via App Library

The App Library is a special section at the end of your Home Screen that lists all installed apps, including hidden ones. In iOS 18 and later, it also includes a Hidden folder to hold all apps hidden and secured with Face ID or Touch ID.

To get rid of hidden apps on iPhone via the App Library:

1. Swipe to the last Home Screen page and swipe left again to open the App Library.
2. Browse the categories—Social, Utilities, Business, etc.—to find the app you want. On iOS 18 and later, scroll to the bottom and tap Hidden and use Face ID or Toucd ID to reveal the apps inside.
3. Long-press the app you want to delete and tap Delete App.

3. Uninstalling hidden apps through Settings

Another way to find and remove hidden apps on iPhone is through the storage management console in the Settings app. This method lets you view all installed apps in one convenient list.

To uninstall apps on iPhone that are hidden via Settings:

1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
2. Tap iPhone Storage.
3. Scroll through the list of apps and tap the one you want to remove.
4. Tap Delete App.

If you come across an app labeled Cydia (check our full guide to find hidden Cydia on iPhone), the system software could be jailbroken. Use Clario Anti Spy’s Device system check to confirm if your iPhone is running a jailbreak.

4. Deleting hidden apps using App Store

Although you use the iPhone's App Store to install apps, you can also use it to find hidden apps, including those that have been downloaded and later deleted.

To find and take out hidden apps on iPhone via the App Store:

1. Open the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
2. Tap Apps > My Apps.
3. Scroll through the app list—any app that's installed will show an Open button, while deleted apps will have a Cloud icon.
4. If you find an app you want to remove, use Spotlight, the App Library, or Settings to delete it if it's still on your device.

Conclusion

As you now know, there are multiple ways to delete hidden apps on your iPhone. Use your preferred method regularly to make sure there aren't any unwanted apps hiding on your device. For extra protection, you can install Clario Anti Spy to scan the system software and help keep the device safe from spyware.