If you are planner, you probably have already started holiday gift shopping. It hit me when I posted Toca Hair Salon Christmas – I could start looking for deals on apps my son likes, and put them on a iPod we don’t use anymore. It would be a good holiday gift.
If you like the idea, but have no extra device to spare, you can still buy some good apps and then “hide” them. Here is how:
1. Download the app on a device your child doesn’t use. If he/she uses the iPAD, then download it on your iPhone. This works for families have strict rules – not in our house. ^-^ My son uses my or my husband’s phone, and he knows the passwords. If your family is like mine, this trick won’t work. Try the next one.
2. After you download the app and check to make sure the app works fine, you delete the app. Don’t worry, you still own the app even it is not on your device. All you have to do is to re-download the app the night before you are ready to give the gift. There is no charge on re-downloads. Here is the detailed instruction on how to do it.
This trick will work for most kids, especially kids 10 and younger. However, if you have a very tech savvy child, who checks the “purchased apps” regularly, you want to use the next trick.
3. After you download the app, go to App Store and tap Purchased at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of apps you bought. Find the app you want to hide, swipe left or right on the cloud icon next to the app name. The cloud icon will change into a red Hide button. Tap the Hide button. Now no one is able to find the app, not even on the purchased list.
To unhide the app, go to App Store, tap Featured at the bottom of the screen; scroll to the bottom, tap your Apple ID name, then tap View Account. You will see a screen like below.
Tap Hidden Purchases. This will bring up a list of all the hidden apps you have.
Locate the item you would like to unhide then tap the Unhide button.
Hope this helps. These tricks are also helpful if you have some apps you don’t want your child see, such as some apps with kids inappropriate contents or confidential information.
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I has no idea you could hide a purchased app. Thanks for the info!
Now you know!
This is a handy tid-bit that doesn’t show up on the apple how to manual.
I always find it hard to read manuals.
They tend to be organized by device tech structures, not by users’ need.
Thanks! Great info.
Glad you find it helpful!
Thank you very much for this information!
Great information! Thanks!
You are welcome!
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