what to know
- To unhide a hidden app, go to the app library and find the app. Click and hold the icon and swipe left.
- To retrieve deleted apps, tap App Store > Your Profile Icon > Purchased > Not On This iPhone > Download Icon.
This article explains how to unhide hidden apps on iPhone and how to retrieve apps deleted from iPhone.
You might have hidden apps on your iPhone in the past because you didn't use them often, or you just liked a little clutter on your home screen.
Follow the steps below to find a hidden app in the App Library and return it to one of your home screens.
Swipe from right to left on the Home screen to open the App Library.
It may take a few screens, so keep swiping until you see App Library in the search bar at the top of the screen.
Click the search bar in the App Library to see an alphabetical list of apps. Scroll to the app you want to unhide.
Don't remember the exact name of the app you want? not a problem. You can enter a letter or two of your name in the search field and browse through the results until you find what you're looking for.
Tap and hold on the name of the app you want to unhide.
Swiping your finger to the left without releasing the app moves it to the Home screen, where it and all other apps on the screen will shake.
Keep sliding the app until it appears where you want it on the home screen. Click Done .
Alternatively, once you find the app in the app library, you can long press it to move the app back to the home screen.
If you want to find an app you deleted (rather than hidden) on your iPhone, there's another way to do it.
Open the App Store app and tap the "Account" button at the top of the screen. There may be a photo of you on it.
Select "Purchased" or "My Purchases " (if you have Family Sharing set up), then click the "Not on this iPhone" tab.
If you use Family Sharing in iOS 17.4 and later, access this area from Apps > My Apps . Or, tap a family member's name from the Apps screen to re-download their purchased app.
Scroll down and select the app you want to retrieve. Once you find it, click the download icon next to it to add it to your iPhone.
If the app you retrieved was originally a paid app, you don't need to pay again.
Open the Watch app on the paired iPhone. Go to My Watch tab > Available Apps > and select Install next to the app you want to unhide. It will now appear under the "Install on Apple Watch" section.
There is no way to unhide all hidden apps at the same time. You must re-download them individually.
