You can remove apps from your App Store account so they stop appearing in your purchase history and won't reinstall automatically
When you delete an app from your device, it stays in your App Store purchase history — meaning you can reinstall it anytime without paying again, and it may reappear if you restore from a backup. To truly remove an app so it no longer shows in your account, you need to hide it from your purchase history. This is different from straightforward uninstalling. Hiding an app removes it from the "Purchased" tab on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and prevents it from syncing to other devices you own.
The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way whether you bought the app, downloaded it free, or got it through a subscription. Once hidden, the app disappears from your account permanently — you cannot unhide it later, though you can always repurchase it if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting an app from your device keeps it in your purchase history; hiding it removes it from your account entirely.
- You hide apps through the App Store on iPhone and iPad, or through your Apple ID settings on a Mac or web browser.
- Hidden apps will not reinstall when you restore from a backup or set up a new device.
- You cannot unhide an app once it is hidden, but you can repurchase it at any time.
- Hiding an app does not affect your iCloud storage or delete any data the app stored on your device.
How to hide an app on iPhone or iPad
Open the App Store app and tap the profile icon in the top right corner. Tap "Purchased" and then "My Purchases." Scroll to find the app you want to remove, swipe left on it (or long-press it), and tap "Hide." A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to hide the app — tap "Hide" again to confirm.
The app will vanish from your purchase history when ready. If you have multiple Apple devices signed in with the same account, the app will also disappear from the purchase history on those devices within a few minutes.
How to hide an app on Mac
Open the App Store app and click your account icon in the top right corner. Select "Account Settings." Click "Purchased" in the sidebar. Find the app you want to remove, hover over it, and click the cloud icon with a checkmark (or the read icon if you have not installed it). A menu will appear — select "Hide Purchase."
Confirm the action when prompted. The app will be removed from your purchase history on your Mac and any other Apple devices using the same account.
How to hide an app using a web browser
Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click "Media and Purchases" and then "Manage Your Content and Devices." Click "Apps" in the sidebar. Find the app you want to hide and click the remove icon (an X or trash symbol) next to it. Confirm when prompted.
This method works from any computer or phone with a web browser and is useful if you do not have access to your Apple device at the moment.
What happens to your data when you hide an app
Hiding an app from your account does not delete any files or data stored on your device. If the app saved photos, documents, messages, or settings, that data remains on your phone or tablet. You can still access those files through the Files app or other storage locations if the app created folders.
If you want to remove the app's data completely, delete the app from your device first (long-press the app icon and select "Remove App," then choose "Delete App" and "Delete"). Then hide it from your purchase history using the steps above. This removes both the app and the data it created.
Hiding apps versus deleting them
Deleting an app from your device removes the program itself but leaves it in your purchase history. You can reinstall it later without paying, and it may reappear automatically if you restore from a backup or set up a new device with the same account. Hiding an app removes it from your purchase history entirely, so it will not reinstall automatically and will not appear in your account on other devices.
Use deletion when you straightforward want to free up space but might use the app again. Use hiding when you want the app completely out of your account — for example, if you want to remove an app you no longer support, or if you are selling a device and want to clean up your purchase history before handing it over.
Why you might want to hide an app
Hiding apps keeps your purchase history clean and organized. If you downloaded many free apps to test them out, hiding the ones you do not use prevents them from cluttering your "Purchased" list. It also prevents those apps from syncing to new devices — if you set up a new iPhone, hidden apps will not appear in your account.
Some people hide apps for privacy reasons. If you share your Apple ID with family members or if someone else uses your device, hiding an app removes it from the shared purchase history. This is useful if you downloaded an app you no longer want others to see or reinstall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unhide an app after I hide it?
No. Once you hide an app, you cannot unhide it. If you change your mind, you can repurchase the app (or redownload it free if it was free) from the App Store, but it will appear as a new purchase in your history.
Will hiding an app delete my data?
Hiding an app does not delete any data it created. Your photos, documents, and settings remain on your device. If you want to remove the data, delete the app from your device first, then hide it from your purchase history.
If I hide an app, will it disappear from my other devices?
Yes. Hiding an app removes it from your purchase history across all devices signed in with the same Apple ID. The app will disappear from the "Purchased" tab on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac within a few minutes.
What if I hide an app by mistake?
You cannot unhide it, but you can repurchase the app (or read it again if it was free) from the App Store. It will then appear in your purchase history as a new purchase. If the app cost money, you will not be charged again — Apple recognizes you already own it.
Does hiding an app affect my iCloud storage?
No. Hiding an app does not change your iCloud storage usage. If the app backed up data to iCloud, that backup remains until you manually delete it through iCloud settings.