Calling all iPhone users who crave a cleaner, more minimalist look for their home screens! Apple’s upcoming iOS 18 update brings a much-requested feature: the ability to hide app and widget names. This exciting addition allows you to customize your home screen for a sleek, icon-driven experience.
Goodbye Text Clutter, Hello Visual Appeal
For years, iPhone users have been limited to a home screen layout that displays both app icons and their corresponding names. While functional, this approach can lead to a cluttered look, especially for users who prefer a more visual aesthetic.
The new option to hide app names in iOS 18 removes this text clutter, allowing your app icons to take center stage. This can create a cleaner, more streamlined appearance for your home screen, making it easier to identify apps at a glance based solely on their visuals.
How to Hide App Names in iOS 18
The process of hiding app names in iOS 18 is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Enter Edit Mode: Long press on any empty space on your iPhone’s home screen until the app icons begin to jiggle. This signifies that you’ve entered edit mode.
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Customize Menu: Tap the dots (…) located in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will open a new menu with various customization options.
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Home Screen Customization: In the newly opened menu, look for the “Home Screen” section. There you should find an option labeled “App Labels” or something similar (exact wording may vary slightly depending on the final iOS 18 build).
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Toggle Off App Labels: Tap the toggle switch next to “App Labels” to turn it off. This will instantly hide the names of all apps on your home screen, leaving only the icons visible.
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Exit Edit Mode: Once you’re happy with the cleaner look, simply tap the “Done” button located in the top right corner of the screen to exit edit mode and save the changes.
Benefits of Hiding App Names
The ability to hide app names in iOS 18 offers several potential benefits for iPhone users:
- Cleaner and More Minimalist Look: This feature allows you to create a more streamlined and visually appealing home screen that prioritizes app icons over text clutter.
- Improved Organization: Hiding app names can make it easier to organize your apps based on color, shape, or personal preference, creating a more visually intuitive layout.
- Enhanced Personalization: This feature empowers you to personalize your iPhone’s home screen to reflect your individual style and preferences.
Things to Consider Before Hiding App Names
While hiding app names can be visually appealing, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Memorizing App Icons: If you’re not familiar with all your app icons by sight, hiding their names might lead to temporary confusion until you associate specific icons with their corresponding apps.
- New App Discovery: For users who frequently download new apps, it might take some extra time to learn and memorize their icons initially.
Is Hiding App Names Right for You?
The decision of whether or not to hide app names in iOS 18 ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a clean and minimalist aesthetic, you’ll likely enjoy this new customization option. However, if you rely heavily on app names for quick identification, you might prefer to keep them visible.
Beyond Hiding App Names: Other iOS 18 Home Screen Customization Options
The ability to hide app names is just one of the many customization options expected in iOS 18. Here’s a glimpse at some other potential features that could enhance your home screen experience:
- Freely Place Apps and Widgets Anywhere: More freedom to place apps and widgets anywhere on your home screen, breaking the current grid-based layout.
- Smarter App Suggestions: AI-powered suggestions for app placement based on your usage patterns and frequently accessed apps.
- Customizable Widget Stacks: The ability to create custom stacks of widgets for a more organized and efficient home screen.
Conclusion: A Step Toward a More Personalized iPhone Experience
The ability to hide app names in iOS 18 marks a significant step forward in iPhone home screen customization. This feature, along with other potential iOS 18 enhancements, empowers users to create a truly personalized and visually appealing iPhone experience. Whether you prioritize minimalism or prefer a more functional layout, iOS 18 promises to cater to a wider range of user preferences.