So, you’ve been swiping through your iPhone, browsing the App Store, and indulging your curiosity by trying out various games and apps. But now, you find yourself wanting a little privacy. Whether it’s those guilty pleasure purchases or simply a desire to keep your browsing history to yourself, you’re in search of a way to hide those purchases on your beloved iPhone. Well, fear not! In this article, we will show you a simple and hassle-free method to hide your purchases on iPhone, giving you the peace of mind and privacy you crave.
Using Family Sharing
Family Sharing is a great feature on your iPhone that allows you to share purchases, such as apps, movies, music, and books, with other members of your family. This not only makes it convenient for everyone to access these purchases, but it also helps you keep track of your family’s digital content. To enable Family Sharing, follow these steps:
Enable Family Sharing
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on your name at the top of the screen.
- From the list of options, select “Set Up Family Sharing.”
- Tap on “Get Started” and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Family Sharing group.
- Once your family members have been added, you can start sharing purchases by tapping on “Share Purchases” and choosing the content categories you want to share.
With Family Sharing enabled, you and your family members can now conveniently access shared purchases without the need to individually buy them again.
Hide Purchase History
While Family Sharing allows you to share purchases with your family, there may be some purchases that you prefer to keep private. In such cases, you can easily hide your purchase history:
- Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile picture or initials at the top right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap on “Purchased.”
- Find the purchase you want to hide and swipe left on it.
- Tap on “Hide” to remove the purchase from your purchase history.
By hiding specific purchases, you can maintain a certain level of privacy while still enjoying the benefits of Family Sharing.
Disabling Automatic Downloads
Automatic downloads are a convenient feature on your iPhone that automatically downloads new purchases made with your Apple ID across all your devices. However, there may be times when you prefer to have more control over your downloads. Here’s how you can disable automatic downloads:
Access Settings
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “iTunes & App Store.”
Turn off Automatic Downloads
- In the “iTunes & App Store” settings, you’ll find options for automatic downloads.
- To disable automatic downloads for apps, toggle off the switch next to “Apps.”
- Similarly, you can toggle off the switches for other types of downloads, such as Music, Books, and Updates.
Disabling automatic downloads gives you the freedom to manually choose which purchases you want to download on your iPhone.
Enabling Restrictions
Enabling restrictions on your iPhone allows you to limit access to certain features, apps, and content. This is particularly useful if you want to restrict access to the App Store and iTunes Store from your device. To enable restrictions, follow these steps:
Access Settings
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time.”
Enable Restrictions
- In the “Screen Time” settings, tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
- If prompted, enter your device passcode.
- Toggle on the switch next to “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
Restrict App and iTunes Store Purchases
- Scroll down to the “Allowed Apps” section and tap on “iTunes & App Store Purchases.”
- Choose the option that suits your needs. For example, you can select “Don’t Allow” to restrict all purchases from the App Store and iTunes Store.
- You can also choose to allow purchases but require a passcode for authorization.
By enabling restrictions, you can have better control over purchases made from the App Store and iTunes Store on your iPhone.
Archiving Emails
Purchase receipts and emails from various services can easily clutter your inbox. To keep your emails organized and tidy, consider archiving purchase receipts and deleting purchase emails on your iPhone.
Archive Purchase Receipts
- Open the Mail app on your iPhone.
- Find a purchase receipt email that you want to archive.
- Swipe left on the email.
- Tap on the “Archive” option that appears.
Archiving purchase receipts allows you to retain them for future reference without cluttering your inbox.
Delete Purchase Emails
- Open the Mail app on your iPhone.
- Find a purchase email that you want to delete.
- Swipe left on the email.
- Tap on the “Trash” option that appears.
Deleting purchase emails helps keep your inbox clean and organized, making it easier for you to find important emails.
Using Private Browsing Mode
Private browsing mode is a useful feature on your iPhone that allows you to browse the web without saving your browsing history, cookies, or other data. This is particularly handy if you want to keep your online activities private. To enable private browsing mode on Safari, follow these steps:
Open Safari
- Find the Safari app on your iPhone’s home screen.
- Tap on the Safari app icon to open the browser.
Enable Private Browsing
- With Safari open, tap on the tab icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- In the tab view, tap on the “+” icon to open a new tab.
- At the bottom left corner of the screen, tap on “Private.”
- Tap on “Done” to confirm and start browsing in private mode.
While in private browsing mode, Safari will not remember the pages you visit, ensuring your browsing history remains private.
Using Third-Party Apps
In addition to the built-in features on your iPhone, there are many third-party apps available that can help you manage your purchases and privacy settings. These apps often provide additional customization options and specific tools to suit your needs. Here’s how you can use third-party apps:
Download a Third-Party App
- Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the “Search” tab at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Enter the name of the third-party app you want to download.
- From the search results, tap on the app’s name to view its details.
- Tap on the “Get” or “Download” button to install the app on your iPhone.
Follow App’s Instructions
- Once the app is installed, open it on your iPhone.
- Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the app to configure its settings and customize your purchases and privacy preferences.
Using third-party apps can enhance your iPhone experience by providing you with more control and options for managing your purchases and privacy.
Deleting Apps Temporarily
At times, you may want to temporarily remove apps from your iPhone without permanently deleting them. This can help free up storage space or declutter your home screen. To delete apps temporarily, follow these steps:
Long Press App Icon
- Find the app you want to delete temporarily on your iPhone’s home screen.
- Press and hold the app icon until it starts to jiggle, and an “X” icon appears on the top left corner of the app’s icon.
Choose “Remove App”
- Tap on the “X” icon on the app icon.
- A pop-up message will appear, asking if you want to delete the app.
- Select “Remove App” to temporarily delete the app from your iPhone.
The app will be removed from your home screen, but its data and settings will be retained. You can easily re-download the app from the App Store in the future if needed.
Using iTunes on Computer
If you prefer managing your purchases and hiding them from your iPhone, you can use iTunes on your computer to achieve this. Here’s how:
Open iTunes
- Launch the iTunes app on your computer.
- Sign in with your Apple ID if prompted.
Hide Purchases from Library
- Click on the “Account” option from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- From the drop-down menu, click on “View My Account.”
- Enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
- Scroll down to the “iTunes in the Cloud” section.
- Locate the “Hidden Purchases” option and click on “Manage.”
- To hide a specific purchase, click on the “X” icon next to it.
- Click on “Done” to save your changes.
By hiding purchases from your iTunes library, they will no longer be visible on your iPhone, providing you with more control over your digital content.
Updating iOS Version
Keeping your iPhone’s iOS version up to date is important for security and performance enhancements. Here’s how you can update your iOS version:
Access Settings
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “General.”
Go to General
- In the “General” settings, scroll down and tap on “Software Update.”
Check for Software Updates
- Your iPhone will check for available software updates.
- If an update is available, tap on “Download and Install.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
By regularly updating your iOS version, you can ensure that your iPhone is running the latest software, benefiting from improved security measures and performance enhancements.
Using Gift Cards or Vouchers
Gift cards or vouchers are a convenient way to make purchases on your iPhone without directly linking them to your credit or debit card. Here’s how you can use gift cards or vouchers:
Buy Gift Cards or Vouchers
- Purchase a gift card or voucher from a reputable retailer or online platform.
- Make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions associated with the gift card or voucher.
Redeem them for Purchases
- Open the App Store or iTunes Store app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap on “Redeem.”
- Enter the code from the gift card or voucher.
- Tap on “Redeem” to apply the credit to your Apple ID.
- You can now use the credited amount for making purchases without needing to provide your credit or debit card information.
Using gift cards or vouchers provides an extra layer of privacy and security when making purchases on your iPhone.
By following these tips and utilizing the various features available on your iPhone, you can manage your purchases, maintain your privacy, and enhance your overall user experience. Remember to regularly update your iPhone’s software and explore third-party apps for additional customization options. Enjoy using your iPhone with confidence and convenience!