There might be some reasons but people have always asked questions beyond my understanding. When Apple released iOS 8, a couple of weeks later, users had been asking questions on how they could hide purchased apps on their iPhones and iPads.
Post the release of iOS 9, they are asking the same questions. There is not much difference between the procedure on both operating systems; but as a refresher course, we are sharing this information here.
Before we move ahead, you need to check out following things are in place:
- Ensure you have “Setup Family Sharing” on your iPhone/iPad.
- You won't be able to see Hide button in purchased tab if Family Sharing is disabled.
- Any app, paid or free in the Purchased list, disappears temporarily.
- You can see the hidden apps on your iPhone/iPad.
How to Hide Purchased Apps on iPhone/iPad in iOS 9
Step #1. Open AppStore on your device.
Step #2. Tap on Updates from the bottom menu.
Step #3. Now tap on Purchased button on Updates screen.
Step #4. Tap on My Purchases.
You can see a list of apps you have purchased till the date. Locate the app you want to hide.
Step #5. Swipe from right to left on the app.
If you wish to hide the app that is not on iPhone, select the app from “Not on This iPhone” list.
Step #6. Now tap on Hide button, which is in red.
Thus, you can repeat this action for each app you want to hide on your iPhone/iPad.
You can hide your purchased apps on iPhone/iPad by using iTunes.
How to Hide Purchased Apps in iTunes on Mac or Windows PC
Step #1. Launch iTunes on Mac or PC.
Step #2. Sign In with your Apple ID you are using on your current device.
Step #3. Now click on your Name.
A drop-down menu will appear.
Step #4. Click on Purchased (If you are using Family Sharing, click on Family Purchased).
You will be landed on iTunes Store page. In the middle of the page, you can see two options: All and Not in My Library.
Step #5. Click on All.
You can see all Purchased apps.
Step #6. Scroll down and select the app you want to hide.
Hover the cursor on the app; an icon “x” will appear on the upper-left corner (Latest version of iTunes doesn't show ‘x' icon. In this case, hover the mouse on the upper-left corner of app icon. A pointer will appear; click on the pointer. A dialog box will flash on your computer's screen prompting you to confirm the action.)
Step #8. Click on Hide button.
Unlike hiding purchased apps on iPhone/iPad, unhiding the same apps takes you through a different route. If you want to unhide purchased apps, you are supposed to use your iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC.
How to Unhide Purchased Apps on iPhone/iPad
Follow the first four steps as mentioned above.
From the drop-down menu, click on Account Info.
Step #5. Type in your password again.
You will be landed on Account information page.
Step #6. Scroll down to the iTunes in the Cloud section.
You will see three options there: Manage Devices, Hidden Purchases, and iTunes Match. To the right of Hidden Purchases, you can see Manage button.
Step #7. Click on Manage.
Step #8. From the upper-right corner of Hidden Purchases window, click on Content type, i.e. Music, Movies, TV Shows or Apps).
Below the app, you will find an option to unhide.
Step #9. Click on Unhide.
Once the app is unhidden, it downloads automatically if you haven't downloaded to your Mac or Windows PC.
Watch out how to hide your App Store purchases on your iPhone or iPad:
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