How to Delete Hidden Purchases on iPhone: A Complete Guide

Our iPhones carry a lot of our digital lives—from photos and apps to purchases we’ve made on the App Store. At times, you may want to hide or delete certain purchases on your iPhone, either for privacy or simply to declutter your device. Although purchases in the App Store can’t be permanently deleted, you can hide or unhide them. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone effectively and answer common questions about managing your app history.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone, why you might want to hide certain purchases, and how to keep your app library private. We’ll go over key methods and best practices, so you can take full control of your app history.

Why Delete or Hide Purchases on iPhone?

Before learning how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone, let’s go over some reasons why you might want to hide or delete them:

1. Privacy: If you share your iPhone or iCloud account with family members, you may want to hide certain purchases to maintain privacy.
2. Decluttering: Over time, your purchased app list can grow significantly. Hiding apps can help keep your purchase history organized.
3. Parental Controls: Parents may choose to hide apps from children to control their access to certain content or services.

Now, let’s dive into how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone and other ways to manage your purchase history.

Can You Permanently Delete Purchases on iPhone?

It’s important to clarify that Apple does not currently allow users to permanently delete app purchase history. Instead, you can only hide the purchases. Hidden purchases are no longer visible in the App Store’s Purchased list, but they remain part of your Apple ID’s history. In other words, when you learn how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone, you’re actually learning how to hide them from the Purchased list.

So, if someone else has access to your Apple ID or shares the device, they won’t be able to see the hidden apps directly on your App Store’s Purchased section.

How to Delete Hidden Purchases on iPhone by Hiding Apps

If you want to keep your app history private or organized, hiding your purchases is the best way to “delete” them from plain view. Here’s how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone by hiding them:

1. Open the App Store: Launch the App Store app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Your Profile Icon: This icon is located in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Go to Purchased: Select “Purchased” from the menu. If you’re using Family Sharing, select “My Purchases” to see your specific purchase history.
4. Locate the App to Hide: Scroll through your purchased apps until you find the one you want to hide.
5. Swipe Left on the App: Swipe left on the app, and an option to “Hide” will appear.
6. Confirm the Action: Tap “Hide,” and the app will be removed from your Purchased list.

Now that app is hidden from your Purchased list. If you want to download the app again, you can still do so by searching for it directly in the App Store. Now, you know one effective method on how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone!

How to View Hidden Purchases on iPhone

Once you’ve hidden an app, it’s no longer visible in your Purchased list. However, hidden purchases are still linked to your Apple ID, so you can access them if needed. Here’s how to view hidden purchases on iPhone:

1. Open the App Store: Launch the App Store app.
2. Go to Your Profile: Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select Apple ID: Tap on your Apple ID and authenticate if prompted.
4. Access Hidden Purchases: Look for the “Hidden Purchases” option, which displays a list of your hidden apps.

This is useful if you ever want to re-download an app you’ve hidden or simply review your hidden purchases. While this may not delete the hidden purchases entirely, it does provide a way to manage your app library on your terms.

How to Unhide Hidden Purchases on iPhone

If you’ve learned how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone by hiding them, you may later decide you want to bring certain apps back into view. Here’s how to unhide hidden purchases on iPhone:

1. Open the App Store: Go to the App Store on your device.
2. Tap on Your Profile: Select your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Go to Hidden Purchases: Tap on “Apple ID” and select “Hidden Purchases.”
4. Unhide the App: Locate the app you wish to unhide and tap the download button. This will restore the app to your Purchased list.

By unhiding the app, it will reappear in your Purchased list, making it easily accessible again.

Using Family Sharing? How to Delete Hidden Purchases on iPhone

For those using Family Sharing, it’s helpful to know how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone since family members can view each other’s purchases. By hiding certain apps, you can keep your purchase list private, even with Family Sharing enabled. Follow the steps outlined above to hide apps from your Purchased list, which will prevent family members from viewing them under “Shared Purchases.”

This is particularly useful for families with children, as parents may want to hide apps that aren’t appropriate for all ages.

Managing App Visibility with Screen Time Restrictions

If hiding an app doesn’t entirely solve your privacy concerns, consider using Screen Time to limit access to certain apps. This can serve as an additional layer of control, especially when combined with hiding apps from your Purchased list. Here’s how to use Screen Time restrictions alongside what you’ve learned on how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone:

1. Open Settings: Go to the Settings app.
2. Select Screen Time: Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time.”
3. App Restrictions: Under “Content & Privacy Restrictions,” choose “Content Restrictions.”
4. Limit Apps by Age Rating: Set specific age limits to automatically hide apps that don’t meet the criteria.

These settings can be particularly helpful if you share your device with others and want to limit app visibility even further.

Best Practices for Managing Hidden Purchases

Now that you know how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone by hiding them, consider these best practices to keep your app history organized and secure:

1. Review Hidden Purchases Regularly: Periodically check your hidden purchases to manage your list and ensure it remains up-to-date.
2. Use App Offloading: Instead of deleting apps, consider using “Offload Unused Apps” in Settings > iPhone Storage. This frees up space while retaining app data if you ever want to reinstall.
3. Set Up Face ID or Touch ID for Purchases: Prevent unauthorized access to your App Store purchases by enabling Face ID or Touch ID for purchase confirmations.

FAQ on How to Delete Hidden Purchases on iPhone

Can I permanently delete hidden purchases on iPhone?

No, Apple does not currently allow users to permanently delete app purchase history. The closest solution is hiding the app from your Purchased list.

Will hiding an app delete its data?

Hiding an app will not delete its data. It only removes it from the App Store’s Purchased list. You may need to delete the app from your Home Screen if you also want to clear its data.

How many apps can I hide on my iPhone?

There’s no specific limit to how many apps you can hide on your iPhone. You can hide as many as you want, making it easy to manage your app history.

Can others see my hidden purchases in Family Sharing?

No, once you hide an app, it won’t appear in Shared Purchases, even if you use Family Sharing. This provides an additional layer of privacy.

Is hiding apps the only way to keep them private?

Using Screen Time settings to restrict access by age rating or category is another effective way to keep apps private on your iPhone.

Final Thoughts: How to Delete Hidden Purchases on iPhone

While it’s not possible to delete app purchase history on iPhone permanently, hiding apps offers an excellent solution for managing privacy and organizing your App Store purchases. Now that you know how to delete hidden purchases on iPhone, you can effectively manage your app library and maintain privacy as needed.

By combining methods like hiding, unhiding, and using Screen Time restrictions, you have the flexibility to keep your device organized and secure. The White Room St. Augustine