Podcast Summary: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio) – Hands-On Apple 192: Locking & Hiding Apps
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Micah Sargent

Introduction

In the July 24, 2025 episode of Hands-On Apple, Micah Sargent delves into the essential features of locking and hiding apps on Apple devices. Aimed at enhancing user privacy and security, this episode provides a comprehensive guide on utilizing these functionalities effectively. Whether you're protecting sensitive information from prying eyes or managing app access for family members, Sargent offers practical insights and step-by-step instructions to help listeners make the most of their Apple devices.

Locking Apps: Enhancing Privacy and Security

Micah begins by explaining the concept of locking apps, a feature available on both iPhone and iPad, which allows users to restrict access to specific applications. This is particularly useful in scenarios where you might need to lend your device to someone else without exposing sensitive information.

Key Points:

• Purpose of Locking Apps: Prevent unauthorized access to certain apps, ensuring that sensitive data remains private. For instance, locking the Photos app when showing your device to someone can prevent them from snooping through your images.

• Functionality: When an app is locked, its information does not appear in other locations such as CarPlay, notifications, Siri suggestions, or search results.

• Device Specificity: Locking or hiding an app on one device does not affect its status on other synced devices. Each device needs to be managed individually.

• Family Sharing Considerations:

  • Children Under 13: Cannot lock or hide apps within a family sharing group.
  • Ages 13-17: Can lock or hide apps, but parents or guardians can monitor app downloads and usage, and can restrict access via Screen Time.

Notable Quote:

"When you lock an app, information that's inside of that app when it's locked is not going to appear in other locations."
— Micah Sargent [05:15]

Step-by-Step Guide to Locking an App

Micah provides a practical demonstration using the Home app as an example:

1. Accessing the App: Navigate to the Home app on your device.

2. Initiating Lock: Tap and hold the Home app icon to bring up the quick actions menu.

3. Requiring Authentication: Select "Require Face ID" from the menu. Follow the prompts to authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID.

4. Activation: Once enabled, attempting to open the Home app will prompt for authentication, ensuring only authorized users can access it.

5. Disabling Lock: To remove the lock, repeat the process and select "Don't require Face ID," then authenticate with your device passcode.

Notable Quote:

"Without using Face ID, you can change this in privacy settings."
— Micah Sargent [06:10]

Hiding Apps: Concealing Applications from View

Shifting focus to hiding apps, Micah clarifies that this feature is distinct from locking apps. Hiding an app ensures it does not appear on the home screen or app library, providing an added layer of discretion.

Key Points:

• Applicability: Only third-party apps downloaded from the App Store can be hidden. Built-in Apple apps (e.g., Calculator, Camera, Settings) cannot be hidden and require alternatives like Screen Time or Guided Access for restrictions.

• Visibility: Hidden apps will still appear in certain areas such as Screen Time reports, battery usage statistics, and App Store purchase history.

• Activation Process:

  1. Accessing the App: Tap and hold the desired third-party app.
  2. Selecting Hide Option: In the quick actions menu, choose "Hide and require Face ID."
  3. Authentication: Complete the Face ID or Touch ID authentication to hide the app.

• Accessing Hidden Apps: To reveal a hidden app, navigate to the App Library, scroll to the "Hidden" section, authenticate, and choose to unhide the app.

Notable Quote:

"When you hide an app, its name will still show up in some places, such as Screen Time, battery usage by app, and in your App Store purchase history."
— Micah Sargent [09:45]

Differences Between Locking and Hiding Apps

Understanding the distinction between locking and hiding apps is crucial for effective device management:

• Locking Apps:

  • Visibility: The app remains visible on the home screen and app library.
  • Access Control: Requires authentication to open and use the app.
  • Use Case: Ideal for preventing unauthorized access while still keeping the app accessible.

• Hiding Apps:

  • Visibility: The app is removed from the home screen and app library, only accessible through the hidden apps folder.
  • Access Control: Requires authentication to reveal and use the app.
  • Use Case: Suitable for concealing the existence of the app to anyone who might casually browse your device.

Notable Quote:

"Locking will still show the app, but it requires authentication of some sort to access it. Hiding, on the other hand, is going to make it so that it does not appear except in that hidden folder."
— Micah Sargent [12:30]

Practical Applications and Use Cases

Micah explores various scenarios where locking and hiding apps can be beneficial:

1. Protecting Personal Information: Locking apps like Photos or Messages ensures that personal data remains secure when sharing your device.

2. Managing Children's Access: Parents can lock or hide apps to prevent children from accessing or modifying settings, such as smart home controls.

3. Maintaining Privacy in Public Spaces: When using your device in public, locking specific apps can prevent others from viewing sensitive information.

4. Streamlining Device Use: Hiding seldom-used third-party apps can declutter the home screen, providing a cleaner and more organized interface.

Notable Quote:

"There are many reasons why you might need or want to lock or hide apps on your devices. Works the same on iPhone and iPad. The important thing is to understand the difference."
— Micah Sargent [13:50]

Conclusion

In this episode of Hands-On Apple, Micah Sargent effectively demystifies the processes of locking and hiding apps on Apple devices, empowering users to take control of their privacy and security. By providing clear explanations and practical demonstrations, Sargent ensures that listeners can confidently implement these features to safeguard their personal information and manage app accessibility. Whether for personal use or parental controls, the strategies outlined offer valuable tools for enhancing the overall user experience on iPhones and iPads.

Final Notable Quote:

"As I always say, make the most of your Apple devices."
— Micah Sargent [14:00]

Connect with Micah Sargent: For questions and further discussions, listeners are encouraged to reach out via micahit.tv or hoait.tv, fostering a community of engaged and informed Apple enthusiasts.