Find my Friends, Stocks, iBooks, Tips – these are just a few of the stocks apps that many iPhone owners have become used to seeing on their home screens for years. Apple ships all iOS devices with these stock Apple apps, in hopes that customers will find them useful. But inevitably, people would rather have the option of customizing their home screen without being beholden to unmovable apps. Well, it seems that the latest beta, iOS 9.3, actually allows you to hide stock apps — for real.
Here’s how you will be able to hide stock apps in iOS 9
There have been all sorts of ways that people have tried to hide these stocks apps from their home screens: jailbreaking, finding glitches, and using fancy tricks. But this time around, the option is much more legit. Using Apple Configurator 2.2 beta, you can remove any stock app from your home screen. We have to shout out Redditor bfodder for posting this great tip!
Step 1.
In order to download Apple Configurator 2.2 beta, you will need a Apple Developer account or a friend that has one that you can borrow. Once you have that account information signed in, you can download it here.
Step 2.
Open Apple Configurator 2.2 beta and hit Command + N to create a new profile. In the General section name the profile you are about to create. You can leave the other sections blank.
Step 3.
In the left menu, go to Restrictions. In the Restrictions section, click on the Apps tab followed by Do not allow some apps under the “Restrict App Usage” section.
Step 4.
Click on the small + icon to add an app that you would like to remove from your home screen. A search section will come up. Enter in the Bundle Identifier and select the name in the list below and hit Choose. It will be added to the “Restrict App Usage” list. Repeat this process for all the stock apps you like to remove using the list of Bundle Identifiers we have in the bottom section.
When you are down adding apps, close out and save your Profile.
Step 5.
Plug in your iPhone using the USB cable. Open Apple Configurator 2.2 beta if you do not already have it open. Your device will load on the main window. Right-click on the device and select Add Profile, and find the profile you just created.
Step 6.
You will need to unlock your phone and follow any prompts you see on your computer and/or device. It should automatically take you to Settings -> General -> Profiles & Device Management. Here you will need to install your new profile.
If installed correctly, you should immediately see the apps you have listed under “Restrict App Usage” disappear from your home screen.
If you would like to undo these actions you can go back into Apple Configurator 2.2 and remove listed apps from “Restrict App Usage” section. Or simply delete the profile in Settings -> General -> Profiles & Device Management.
List of Bundle IDs (Case Sensitive)
- com.apple.stocks – Stocks
- com.apple.tips – Tips
- com.apple.videos – Videos
- com.apple.mobilemail – Native Email Client
- com.apple.mobilenotes – Notes
- com.apple.reminders – Reminders
- com.apple.calculator – Calculator
- com.apple.Maps – Maps
- com.apple.Music – Music
- com.apple.Passbook – Wallet
- com.apple.Health – Health
- com.apple.mobilephone – Phone
- com.apple.MobileStore – iTunes Store
- com.apple.MobileSMS – Messages
- com.apple.VoiceMemos – Voice Memos
- com.apple.weather – Weather
- com.apple.podcasts – Podcasts
- com.apple.gamecenter – Game Center
- com.apple.Bridge – Watch
- com.apple.mobileme.fmf1 – Find Friends
- com.apple.iBooks – iBooks
- com.apple.mobileme.fmip1 – Find iPhone
- com.apple.mobiletimer – Clock
- com.apple.mobileslideshow – Photos
- com.apple.Preferences – Settings
- com.apple.Camera – Camera
- com.apple.facetime – FaceTime
- com.apple.MobileAddressBook – Contacts
- com.apple.news – News
Check out bfodder’s original directions below:
Create a configuration profile in Apple Configurator 2.2 Beta with a restrictions payload set to “Do not allow some apps” under “Restrict App Usage” in the Apps section of the Restrictions. Add the necessary bundle IDs like com.apple.tips, com.apple.stocks, then plug in your device and apply the profile. The icons will simply disappear from the home screen…
Just to note, you have to configure the General section in order to save the configuration profile. When you plug in your device, right-click it, then Add > Profiles…Then navigate to the profile you just saved. You might have to then accept the install on the iOS device itself.
Let us know which apps you can’t wait to hide using the Apple Configurator 2.2 beta in the comment section.
