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Hide and lock your apps on your iPhone with iOS 18

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Hide and lock your apps on your iPhone with iOS 18

iOS 18 brings a game-changing feature to your iPhone: the ability to hide and lock your apps. Whether you’re looking to keep certain apps private or simply declutter your home screen, this new functionality has got you covered. Let’s dive into how you can make the most of these cool new features.

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iOS 18 hide app feature (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Check your iOS version and update to iOS 18

Before diving into app management, it’s essential to verify that your iPhone is updated to iOS 18. Here’s how to check and update your device:

  • Tap on the Settings app on your home screen.
  • Scroll down and tap on General.
  • Tap Software Update. Your device will check for available updates.
  • If iOS 18 is available, tap Download and Install. You may be prompted to enter your passcode.
  • Agree to the terms and wait for the update to download and install. Your iPhone will restart once the installation is complete.
  • Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery life before starting the update process.

Steps to update your iPhone software (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

IOS 18: DISCOVER THE NEW FEATURES IN APPLE’S LATEST OPERATING SYSTEM

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Hiding apps: Out of sight, not out of mind

Hiding apps is perfect for keeping certain applications discreet while still having them accessible when needed. You can hide third party apps or Apple apps that were downloaded from the App Store. Here’s how to do it:

  • Long-press on the app icon until the context menu appears. In this example we’ll use the Facebook app.
  • Tap on Require Face ID.
  • Select Hide and Require Face ID.
  • screen will appear explaining that your app will require Face ID or your passcode to reveal, open or use Siri with the app.
  • Tap Hide App at the bottom of the screen.
  • The app is now hidden from your home screen and will be moved to a folder for hidden apps in app library.

Note: You will not receive notifications, calls or critical alerts from this app.

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Steps in iOS 18 to hide apps on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Accessing hidden apps

Need to use a hidden app? No problem:

  • Swipe left on your iPhone’s home screen until you reach the App Library.
  • Look for the Hidden Apps folder at the bottom of your screen.
  • Tap on it and use Face ID to unlock.
  • Tap on the app you want to access.

Steps in iOS 18 to access hidden apps on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Unhiding apps: Bringing them back to light

Changed your mind about hiding an app? Here’s how to unhide it:

  • Swipe left on your iPhone’s home screen until you reach the App Library.
  • Look for the Hidden Apps folder at the bottom of your screen.
  • Tap on it and use Face ID to unlock.
  • Tap on the app you want to access.
  • Click Add to Home Screen.
  • Then tap Unhide App and this app will now be visible again on your Home Screen.

Steps in iOS 18 to unhide apps on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Locking apps: Adding an extra layer of security

Let’s say you don’t want to hide the app and want to keep it visible on your home screen, but you want additional protection for sensitive apps. Here’s how to add an extra layer of security:

  • Long-press on the app icon. In this example, we’ll use the Facebook app.
  • Tap Require Face ID.
  • Select Require Face ID again.

Now, the app can only be opened with your Face ID.

Steps in iOS 18 to lock apps on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Unlock apps: Removing Face ID from an app

To remove Face ID protection from an app in iOS 18 on your iPhone, follow these steps:

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  • Long-press on the app icon you want to unlock. Let’s use Facebook as an example.
  • In the context menu that appears, tap on Remove Face ID.
  • You’ll be prompted to confirm. Tap Remove to confirm.
  • The app will now be accessible without Face ID authentication.

Steps in iOS 18 to unlock apps (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

These steps remove the extra layer of security from the app, allowing it to be opened without Face ID verification. Remember, this only affects the individual app; your overall iPhone security settings remain unchanged. Keep in mind that removing Face ID protection from sensitive apps may compromise your privacy and security. Always consider the potential risks before making such changes.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

iOS 18’s new hide and lock features offer a simple yet effective way to enhance your iPhone’s privacy and security. Whether you’re keeping sensitive apps away from prying eyes or just tidying up your home screen, these tools put you in control of your digital space. With just a few taps, you can now customize your iPhone experience to suit your privacy needs and preferences.

Beyond hiding and locking apps, what other customization or privacy features would you like to see implemented in future iPhone operating systems? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Technology

A second US Sphere could come to Maryland

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A second US Sphere could come to Maryland

The second US sphere would be built in an area known as National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Located along the Potomac River, National Harbor currently features a convention center, multiple hotels, restaurants, and shops. While Abu Dhabi plans to build a sphere as large as the one in Las Vegas, the National Harbor venue would be one of the first mini-Sphere venues announced last March.

Its capacity would be limited to 6,000 seats instead of over 17,000. But the smaller Sphere would still be hard to miss with an exterior LED exosphere for showcasing the “artistic and branded content” that helped make the original sphere a unique part of the Las Vegas skyline.

The inside of the mini-Sphere will feature a high-resolution 16,000 by 16,000 pixel wrap-around screen, the company’s immersive sound technology, haptic seating, and “4D environmental effects.” For the AI-enhanced version of The Wizard of Oz currently playing in Las Vegas, audiences experience effects like wind, fog, smells, and apples falling from the ceiling.

The mini-Sphere will potentially also be cheaper to build than the $2.3 billion original, but its construction is contingent on the “receipt of certain governmental incentives and approvals from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.” Sphere Entertainment says the project “would utilize a combination of public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives,” but would potentially generate millions of dollars in revenue for the country and state while supporting over 4,700 jobs once it opens.

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Apple warns millions of iPhones are exposed to attack

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Apple warns millions of iPhones are exposed to attack

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The Apple iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the United States and one of the most widely used devices in the world. An estimated 1.6 billion people rely on iPhones every day. That massive user base also makes the platform a prime target. 

Over the past few weeks, Apple has been sending out warnings about a serious security flaw. New data suggests the risk could affect roughly half of all iPhone users.

That puts hundreds of millions of devices in potential danger right now.

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Apple is warning iPhone users about a serious Safari security flaw that could leave hundreds of millions of devices vulnerable if updates are delayed. (Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)

What Apple discovered in Safari and WebKit

Late last month, Apple confirmed two critical vulnerabilities in WebKit. WebKit powers Safari and every browser that runs on iOS. According to Apple, the flaws were used in an extremely sophisticated attack that targeted specific individuals. The problem allowed malicious websites to trick iPhones and iPads into running harmful code. Once that happens, attackers could gain control of the device, steal passwords or access payment information. In simple terms, visiting the wrong website could have been enough.

Why millions of iPhones are still exposed

Apple moved quickly to release a fix. The patch is included in the latest software update. The problem is that many people have not installed it yet. Estimates suggest that about 50 percent of eligible users have not upgraded from iOS 18 to iOS 26. That would leave around 800 million devices vulnerable worldwide. Data from StatCounter paints an even worse picture. It estimates that only 20 percent of users have updated so far. Once security details become public, the risk grows fast. Attackers know exactly what to exploit.

iPhone and iPad models at the highest risk

Apple says the following devices are affected if they are not updated:

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  • iPhone 11 and later
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later
  • iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later
  • iPad Air 3rd generation and later
  • iPad 8th generation and later
  • iPad mini 5th generation and later

If your device appears on this list and you have not updated it, it is vulnerable.

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New data suggests nearly half of all iPhone users worldwide may still be exposed to a critical WebKit exploit Apple says was actively used in attacks. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Why upgrading is the only real protection

There is no setting to flip and no safe browsing habit that fixes this issue. The vulnerability lives deep inside the browser engine. Security experts say there is no workaround or user behavior that meaningfully reduces the risk. Installing the latest software is the only effective defense. Apple is no longer offering a security-only update for users who want to stay on iOS 18. Unless your device cannot run iOS 26, the fix is only available through iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.

Steps to update your iPhone or iPad now

Updating is quick and usually painless. If automatic updates are enabled, the fix may already be installed.

If not, follow these steps:

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  • Open the Settings app on iPhone
  • Tap General
  • Select Software Update
  • Download and install iOS 26.2 or iPadOS 26.2 or later 

Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has enough battery life or is plugged in.

Pro tip: Use strong antivirus software

Keeping your iPhone updated is critical, but it should not be your only line of defense. Strong antivirus software adds another layer of protection by scanning malicious links, blocking risky websites and alerting you to suspicious activity before damage is done.

This matters even more when attacks rely on compromised websites or hidden browser exploits. Security software can help catch threats that slip through and give you extra visibility into what is happening on your device.

Think of it as backup protection. Software updates close known holes, while strong antivirus tools help guard against the next one.

Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

 FAKE ERROR POPUPS ARE SPREADING MALWARE FAST

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Apple says malicious websites could exploit a Safari flaw to steal passwords or payment information from unpatched iPhones and iPads. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Apple rarely uses language like “extremely sophisticated” unless the threat is serious. This flaw shows how even trusted browsers can become attack paths when updates are delayed. Waiting weeks or months to update now carries real consequences. If you use your iPhone for banking, shopping or work, this update should be treated as urgent.

How long do you usually wait before installing major iPhone updates, and is that delay worth the risk anymore? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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You need to listen to the cosmic horror-comedy podcast Welcome to Night Vale

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You need to listen to the cosmic horror-comedy podcast Welcome to Night Vale

It’s relatively rare for a podcast to last 14 years, especially a fiction one. In fact, as far as I can tell, Welcome to Night Vale is the longest continually running fiction podcast out there. (Some will argue it’s actually We’re Alive, but that has taken a few significant breaks between seasons.) The story of Night Vale, the titular desert town, now spans 12 seasons, over 280 episodes, three books, and at least 10 live standalone shows. While dedicating several hundred hours of your life to listening to every episode might seem like a big ask, I believe you’ll be hooked once you dive in.

The show is written by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, who draw heavily on the work of H.P. Lovecraft. Every season has its own arc, but broadly, the show tells the story of a town that exists in an alternate version of Earth. In this town Angels are real, but acknowledging their existence is illegal; librarians are dangerous creatures with “thousands of spiny legs” and “pincers”; and there is a Faceless Old Woman who secretly lives in your home.

These are clearly unsettling concepts when taken at face value. But rather than trying to scare the listener, Cranor and Fink lean into the natural absurdity of cosmic horror and refuse to take themselves too seriously. They also routinely subvert the bigotry of their inspiration, using Lovecraftian creations to tell stories rich with LGBTQ+ characters.

Of course, having well-written scripts and telling a compelling story is only part of the equation. What elevates Welcome to Night Vale to true greatness is the cast, especially narrator Cecil Baldwin, who plays the host of the central radio show, Cecil Palmer. Cecil’s voice has the gravitas to tell ominous stories of secretive government agencies and ancient gods. But he has the range to deliver light-hearted banter with a sentient patch of haze (her name is Deb, in case you were wondering).

Cecil Baldwin has the charisma to make even the reading of a repair manual for a toaster compelling. He can be creepy, funny, or soothing, often all within the same episode. (For this reason, I don’t suggest listening to Night Vale at night. I have fallen asleep to the dulcet sounds of Baldwin’s voice several times, only for the more unsettling parts of the show to make their way into my dreams.)

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Every episode also features a musical interlude in the guise of “The Weather.” The show mostly features lesser-known artists, but alumni include Jason Isbell, The Mountain Goats, Waxahatchee, Angel Olsen, Open Mike Eagle, and Sylvan Esso.

Welcome to Night Vale is also a great way to introduce younger listeners to horror. I would never suggest my eight-year-old read H.P. Lovecraft. Partly because the man’s unrepentant racism is baked into the very fabric of his stories, but also because the violence is often too much for children. Night Vale, on the other hand, takes those horrors and exposes them for what they are: entertainment. I can put the podcast on, bond with my kid over their burgeoning love of all things creepy and weird, and trust that they’ll walk away with a good message.

Welcome to Night Vale is available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Pocketcasts, YouTube, and Spotify.

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