With the release of iOS 18, Apple introduced a new feature that allows users to hide certain apps from their home screen. This feature can be useful for keeping sensitive or unwanted apps out of sight, but it can also make it difficult for iOS developers to test and debug their apps on devices running this version of the operating system.
Introduction
Apple’s new hidden mode feature in iOS 18 allows users to hide certain apps from their home screen, making it more difficult for prying eyes to access sensitive or unwanted content. While this feature can be useful for maintaining privacy and security, it can also present challenges for iOS developers who need to test and debug their apps on devices running this version of the operating system.
What is Hidden Mode on iOS 18?
Hidden mode in iOS 18 allows users to hide certain apps from their home screen, making them less visible and easier to ignore. To enable hidden mode, users can go to the “Screen Time” section in the “Settings” app and toggle the switch for “Hide Apps.” From there, they can select which apps they want to hide and whether they want to hide them completely or just hide their icons on the home screen.
Hidden mode only affects the user’s home screen, so all other parts of the operating system should still be able to access and use the hidden apps normally. However, developers may need to take extra steps to ensure that their apps can still be tested and debugged on devices running iOS 18 with hidden mode enabled.
How to Move Apps to Hidden Mode
To move an app to hidden mode on iOS 18, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time.”
- Toggle the switch for “Hide Apps” to enable it.
- Select the app you want to move to hidden mode by tapping on its icon or name in the list of apps.
- Choose whether you want to hide the app completely or just hide its icon on the home screen.
- Tap “Save Changes” to apply the changes.
Once an app is moved to hidden mode, it will no longer be visible on the user’s home screen, but it can still be accessed and used normally throughout the operating system.
Best Practices for Developing with Hidden Mode
When developing apps for iOS 18 with hidden mode enabled, there are a few best practices you should follow:
- Test your app thoroughly to ensure that it still functions correctly even when some of its icons are hidden from the home screen. This may involve testing your app on multiple devices running different versions of the operating system and using a variety of test scenarios to ensure that it works as expected.
- Use Apple’s “TestFlight” beta testing program to get early access to iOS 18 devices and test your app on devices running this version of the operating system with hidden mode enabled. This can help you identify any issues before they become a problem for your users.