Have you ever handed your iPhone to someone and suddenly realized your home screen is a mess of folders you’d rather not explain? Maybe you’ve got work apps, private photos, budgeting tools, or just random stuff you don’t want front and center. With the iOS 14 update, Apple gave us new customization features, but hiding folders isn’t as straightforward as people expect. That confusion leaves many users asking, “Wait… can I actually hide folders in iOS 14?”

I’ve spent a lot of time exploring iOS 14 features since it launched, testing everything from widgets to the App Library. I think Apple improved organization a lot, but I also feel they didn’t clearly explain how folder visibility works. In my opinion, most people struggle simply because they’re using the old method in a new system. So in this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to hide folders, manage visibility, and organize your iPhone smarter.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what works, what doesn’t, and the easiest ways to hide folders in iOS 14. No confusion. No guesswork. Just clean, simple steps you can follow right away.

Can You Actually Hide Folders in iOS 14?

Let’s clear this up first.

Technically, iOS 14 does not allow you to “lock” or fully hide a folder directly. Apple hasn’t added a built-in “hide folder” button.

But here’s the good news: you can hide folders from your main home screen using smart workarounds built into iOS 14. The App Library and Home Screen editing tools make this possible.

So instead of deleting folders or downloading sketchy apps, you can simply remove them from view.

Method 1: Move the Folder to a Separate Home Screen Page

This is the simplest method.

If you don’t want a folder visible on your main page, just move it.

Step-by-Step:

Press and hold on the folder until the apps start jiggling.
Drag the folder to the far right of your screen.
Drop it onto a less-used Home Screen page.
Press Done in the top-right corner.

This doesn’t completely hide the folder, but it removes it from your main view.

This method works best if:

You want quick access later.
You don’t want to delete anything.
You just want cleaner primary screens.

Method 2: Hide an Entire Home Screen Page (Best Option)

Now we’re getting into the powerful stuff.

iOS 14 introduced the ability to hide entire Home Screen pages. That means you can place folders on a page… and then make that page invisible.

Pretty cool, right?

Step-by-Step to Hide a Page:

Press and hold on an empty area of your Home Screen.
Tap the dots at the bottom of the screen (above the dock).
You’ll see thumbnails of all your Home Screen pages.
Uncheck the page containing the folder you want hidden.
Tap Done.

Boom. That page disappears.

Your folders are still on your phone, but they’re no longer visible on your Home Screen.

This is IMO the cleanest way to “hide” folders in iOS 14.

Method 3: Use the App Library (The Smartest Way)

With iOS 14, Apple introduced the App Library.

This feature automatically organizes all apps into categorized folders. When you remove apps or folders from the Home Screen, they remain accessible in the App Library.

How to Move Folder Apps to App Library:

You cannot move an entire folder directly to the App Library. Instead:

Open the folder.
Press and hold an app.
Select Remove App.
Choose Remove from Home Screen.

Repeat this for each app inside the folder.

Once done:

The folder disappears.
All apps are safely stored in the App Library.

To access the App Library:

Swipe left past your last Home Screen page.

This method keeps your apps installed but removes clutter completely.

Why Apple Made It This Way

You might wonder, “Why didn’t Apple just add a hide folder button?”

Here’s why:

Apple focuses on minimalism and simplicity.
The App Library was designed to replace manual hiding.
They prefer removing clutter rather than locking content.

FYI, Apple expects users to rely on the App Library instead of creating dozens of folders.

Bonus: How to Hide Sensitive Apps Instead

Sometimes you don’t just want to hide folders. You want privacy.

Here are smarter options:

Use Screen Time Restrictions

Go to Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Choose Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Enable restrictions.
Select Allowed Apps.

You can disable certain system apps like Safari, FaceTime, etc.

For third-party apps:

Use App Limits to restrict access.

This doesn’t “hide” folders, but it limits visibility and access.

Clean Organization Strategy for iOS 14

If you’re reorganizing anyway, here’s a smarter system I recommend.

Instead of hiding folders randomly:

Keep one clean main page (daily apps only).
Move everything else to a second page.
Hide that second page.
Let the App Library handle the rest.

This creates:

A distraction-free screen.
Faster navigation.
Less visual clutter.

I feel this setup makes the iPhone experience way smoother.

Common Mistakes People Make

Let’s avoid frustration.

1. Deleting Apps Instead of Removing Them

If you choose Delete App, it removes it completely.

Instead, select:

Remove from Home Screen

Huge difference.

2. Forgetting About Hidden Pages

Some users hide a page and later panic because apps are “missing.”

Relax. They’re still installed. Just:

Go back to Home Screen edit mode.
Tap the dots.
Re-check the hidden page.

3. Thinking Folders Can Be Password Locked

iOS 14 does not allow folder-level password protection.

You would need:

Third-party app lockers
Or jailbreak solutions (not recommended)

Apple prioritizes system-level privacy instead.

Advanced Tip: Make a “Decoy” Layout

Want something smarter?

Create a clean, aesthetic Home Screen using widgets. Place all distracting folders on a hidden page.

Your phone looks minimal and professional.

But everything is still accessible.

That’s what I personally use, and it keeps things simple.

Is There a Way to Completely Hide Folders?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: Not natively.

You can:

Hide pages
Remove apps from Home Screen
Use App Library
Use Screen Time controls

But Apple does not offer a direct “hide folder” feature in iOS 14.

Final Thoughts

Hiding folders in iOS 14 isn’t about secrecy. It’s about smart organization.

The best solution is usually hiding entire Home Screen pages or relying on the App Library. Once you understand how Apple designed iOS 14, everything makes more sense.

If your goal is privacy, use Screen Time. If your goal is decluttering, use hidden pages. And if your goal is simplicity, let the App Library handle it.

Now your Home Screen can finally look clean and intentional.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I lock a folder with a password in iOS 14?

No, iOS 14 does not support password-protected folders. Apple provides privacy through Screen Time and system security rather than folder-level locks.

2. Does hiding a Home Screen page delete my apps?

No. Hiding a page only removes it from view. Your apps remain installed and accessible through the App Library.

3. How do I unhide a hidden Home Screen page?

Enter Home Screen edit mode, tap the page dots at the bottom, and re-check the hidden page. Tap Done to restore it.

4. Will removing apps from the Home Screen delete app data?

No. Selecting “Remove from Home Screen” keeps the app and its data intact. It simply moves the app to the App Library.

5. Is there a third-party app that can fully hide folders?

Some third-party apps claim to offer hiding features, but they cannot override iOS system restrictions. True folder hiding would require jailbreaking, which is not recommended for security reasons.