If you’ve ever looked at your iPhone home screen and thought, “Why does this feel so cluttered?”… you’re not alone. iOS 14 made it easier to personalize your layout, but it also made some people even more frustrated because folders can still take up space, look messy, or reveal apps you’d rather keep private. Maybe you’re trying to hide social apps, finance tools, or just want a clean aesthetic without all those folder stacks staring back at you.
I’ve honestly been there. I remember updating to iOS 14 and thinking it would magically fix my home screen chaos… but nope. 😅 I still had folders everywhere, and I didn’t want certain folders showing up when someone casually picked up my phone. In my opinion, the home screen should feel simple, not like a junk drawer. So in this article, I’ll walk you through the best ways to hide folders in the iOS 14 update, step-by-step, without breaking anything or deleting your apps.
And don’t worry—this guide will make it super clear. Whether you want to hide folders for privacy, organization, or just because you love that clean minimalist look, you’ll leave this page knowing exactly what to do and what options work best in iOS 14.
Why You Might Want To Hide Folders in iOS 14 (Totally Normal, BTW)
Before we jump into the how-to steps, let’s quickly talk about the why, because your reason matters.
Here are some common reasons people want to hide folders on iPhone:
- You want a clean home screen (minimal and aesthetic)
- You want to hide folders like Social, Banking, or Dating apps
- You’re tired of scrolling through too many pages
- You don’t want people seeing your app organization
- You want to rely more on Search and the App Library
- You like the idea of “out of sight, out of mind” 😄
And honestly? iOS 14 finally made this possible in a way older iOS versions never did.
Important Note: iOS 14 Doesn’t “Hide” Folders Like a Password Vault
Let’s clear something up real quick.
In iOS 14, you can hide folders from the home screen, but you can’t lock folders with a password (at least not with Apple’s built-in tools in iOS 14).
So what can you do?
✅ You can remove folders from view
✅ You can hide entire home screen pages (with folders on them)
✅ You can access apps through App Library instead
✅ You can reduce clutter without deleting anything
The folder still exists, it’s just not visible on your main home screen.
Method 1: Hide an Entire Home Screen Page That Contains Folders (Best Option)
This is hands-down the easiest and cleanest way to hide folders in the iOS 14 update.
Instead of trying to hide one folder at a time, you hide the whole page where those folders live.
Step-by-Step: How To Hide Folders in iOS 14 by Hiding Pages
- Press and hold on an empty area of your home screen
- Keep holding until the apps start to jiggle (Edit Mode)
- Tap the page dots at the bottom of the screen (the little row of dots)
- You’ll now see all your home screen pages
- Uncheck the page that contains the folder(s) you want to hide
- Tap Done (top right)
Boom. That entire page disappears.
Why This Works So Well
- The folder is not visible
- Your apps are still installed
- You can still access everything using:
- Swipe left to App Library
- Spotlight Search
- Siri suggestions
This is the #1 method for hiding folders without deleting or messing anything up.
Method 2: Move the Folder to a Hidden Page (Super Simple Trick)
If you don’t want to hide your current page, you can create a “secret page” and hide that one.
Step-by-Step: Create a Hidden Folder Page
- Press and hold on the home screen to enter jiggle mode
- Drag the folder you want to hide to the far right edge
- Keep dragging until it moves onto a new page
- Place it there (you can add multiple folders)
- Tap the page dots
- Uncheck that page
- Tap Done
Now your folder is basically “stored” in a hidden home screen page.
✅ Great for privacy
✅ Great for decluttering
✅ Super easy to reverse
Method 3: Remove Apps From the Home Screen and Use App Library Instead (Cleaner Than Folders)
This one isn’t exactly “hide folders,” but it’s even better for a minimalist home screen.
If you remove apps from the home screen, you might not even need folders anymore.
Step-by-Step: Remove Apps (Without Deleting)
- Press and hold the app you want to remove
- Tap Remove App
- Select Remove from Home Screen
- NOT “Delete App”
That app will still exist in your App Library, but it won’t clutter your home screen.
Why This Helps You Hide Folders
Folders exist because you have too many apps on your home screen.
Once you remove apps, you can:
- Delete the folder completely (from the home screen)
- Keep only a few folders like “Essentials”
- Let App Library handle the rest automatically
IMO, App Library is seriously underrated.
Method 4: Use App Library Only and Keep One Clean Home Screen Page
Want that super clean iPhone look you see on Pinterest?
This is how people do it.
What This Looks Like
- Home screen page 1:
✅ Weather widget
✅ Calendar widget
✅ 6–8 main apps
✅ ZERO folders - Everything else? Hidden.
How To Set This Up
- Move your most-used apps to page 1
- Move everything else to page 2, 3, 4 (with folders if needed)
- Hide those pages using the page dots trick
- Swipe left anytime you need something → App Library
This is the closest thing to “hiding folders” completely while still having access to your apps.
Method 5: Hide a Folder by Burying It Deep (Not Perfect, But Works)
Okay, this method is kind of old-school, but it’s still useful if you’re not ready to hide pages.
You basically place folders on the last page and make them harder to reach.
How To Do It
- Press and hold the folder
- Drag it to the far right edge
- Move it to the last home screen page
- Put it in a corner or bottom area
This won’t truly hide it, but it helps reduce “accidental viewing.”
FYI: this is more of a privacy-lite trick, not a real hiding method.
Method 6: Hide Folder Visibility Using Widgets (Aesthetic Trick)
Widgets in iOS 14 can help cover up space so your home screen doesn’t scream “I have folders!”
While widgets don’t literally hide folders, they help you:
- reduce visible clutter
- create a clean aesthetic
- make folders less obvious
Simple Widget Layout Idea
- Top: Large widget (Calendar / Weather / Photos)
- Middle: 2 rows of apps
- Bottom: Dock apps
- Hidden pages: everything else (including folders)
This gives your phone that “intentional” look instead of “folder chaos.”
Best Folder Types to Hide (If You Want Privacy)
If you’re hiding folders, you’re probably doing it for a reason 😄
Here are folders that people commonly hide:
- Banking & payment apps
- Private photos or vault apps
- Health apps
- Dating apps
- Work folders
- Shopping apps
- Social media
If you’re thinking “Should I hide this folder?”—you probably should.
Will Hiding a Folder Delete It? (Nope!)
This is a super common worry, so let’s make it clear:
Hiding a folder in iOS 14 does NOT delete apps.
If you hide a page, your apps are still:
✅ installed
✅ searchable
✅ accessible in App Library
✅ available to Siri suggestions
You can even bring the page back anytime.
How To Unhide Folders in iOS 14 (When You Need Them Back)
Maybe you hid a folder and now you’re like… “Wait, where did everything go?” 😅
No stress. Here’s how to bring it back.
Step-by-Step: Unhide Folder Pages
- Press and hold on home screen until apps jiggle
- Tap the page dots
- Re-check the hidden page(s)
- Tap Done
That’s it. Your pages and folders are back instantly.
Common Mistakes People Make When Trying To Hide Folders (Avoid These!)
Let me save you from some frustration here.
Mistake 1: Deleting Apps Instead of Removing from Home Screen
When iOS says “Remove App,” people panic and tap delete.
✅ Always choose Remove from Home Screen if you want the app to stay installed.
Mistake 2: Thinking Hidden Pages Are Gone Forever
Hidden pages are only hidden, not deleted.
You can always bring them back with the page dots.
Mistake 3: Overusing Folders on Page 1
If your first page has 8 folders, it’s still cluttered.
Try keeping only:
- 1 folder: Essentials
- 1 folder: Tools
Then hide the rest.
Mistake 4: Forgetting App Library Exists
App Library is your best friend in iOS 14.
It organizes apps automatically and reduces your need for folders.
Quick “Best Setup” Example (My Favorite iOS 14 Layout)
If you want a clean setup that still feels practical, try this:
Home Screen Page 1 (Visible)
- Weather widget (medium)
- Calendar widget (small)
- Apps: Phone, Messages, Safari, Camera, YouTube, Notes, Maps
- Dock: Phone, Safari, Messages, Music
Hidden Pages
- Page 2: Social folder + entertainment folder
- Page 3: Work folder + finance folder
- Page 4: Shopping folder + random apps
Then you just hide pages 2–4.
This gives you a clean look, but you still have everything ready when needed.
Bonus Tips To Keep Your Home Screen Clean After Hiding Folders
Once your folders are hidden, you’ll want to keep things tidy long-term.
Here are a few easy habits:
- Download new apps → remove from home screen immediately
- Use Spotlight Search (swipe down on home screen)
- Use App Library categories instead of creating 12 folders
- Keep your home screen to 1–2 pages max
- Use widgets for a more modern layout
Small changes = huge difference over time.
Final Thoughts: Hiding Folders in iOS 14 is Easier Than You Think
If you take one thing from this guide, let it be this:
You don’t need to delete apps to hide folders in iOS 14.
You just need to use the home screen page hiding feature, combined with App Library.
So whether your goal is privacy, aesthetics, or just peace of mind when you open your phone… you now have multiple ways to make your iPhone feel cleaner instantly.
And honestly, once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. 😄
FAQs: How To Hide Folders In iOS14 Update!
1) Can I hide folders on iPhone in iOS 14 without deleting apps?
Yes. You can hide the home screen page that contains the folder, and your apps will still be available through App Library and Search.
2) Does iOS 14 allow locking folders with a password?
No. iOS 14 does not offer a built-in feature to password-protect folders. You can hide pages for privacy, but the folder isn’t fully locked.
3) Where do my folders go after I hide a home screen page?
The folders remain on that hidden page. They are not deleted. You can access apps via App Library or unhide the page anytime.
4) How do I unhide folders in iOS 14?
Press and hold the home screen to enter edit mode, tap the page dots, then re-check the hidden page and tap Done.
5) Is App Library better than using folders in iOS 14?
For many users, yes. App Library automatically organizes your apps, reduces clutter, and makes it easier to keep a minimalist home screen without manually managing folders.
