Cannot Open App in Hidden Folder

I placed an app in a hidden folder and required my passcode to open. But when I try to access the app, I SEE it in the hidden folder, enter my passcode as requested, tap on the app, but it simply opens to " Allow Signal to Access" with all the settings. I can't actually USE the app. What am I not getting?

Here are the instructions from Apple on how to do it, but it doesn't work for step 5.


Open a hidden app

You can open and use an app that you’ve hidden.

  1. Go to the Home Screen.
  2. Swipe left past all your Home Screen pages to go to App Library.
  3. Tap the Hidden folder at the bottom of App Library, then authenticate using Face ID (or Touch ID or a passcode).
  4. The app appears in the Hidden folder.
  5. Tap the app, then authenticate using Face ID (or Touch ID or a passcode).


Here is what I see on my phone:




I cannot "swipe ", all I can do is long-press to get the following screen:




My ios is 18.3.2 up-to-date. Thanks for any help!

iPhone SE, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 29, 2025 8:17 AM

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Mar 29, 2025 4:53 PM in response to secretdi

Hello secretdi,


You are in the wrong location. Settings > Apps > Hidden Apps is only to view the settings of the hidden apps.


Instead, go to the App Library (the last page of the Home Screen), scroll down to see the Hidden folder/group, tap it, authenticate and you'll be able to open your app.

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Cannot Open App in Hidden Folder

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