Code reaffirms Apple's plan to allow users to hide default iOS apps
Changes to iTunes metadata suggest that Apple will soon make it easier to hide first-party apps on the iOS homescreen, solving a long-standing complaint of iPhone and iPad owners.
Image Credit: App Advice
Titles on the App Store now have two new keys, "isFirstParty" and "isFirstPartyHideableApp," according to App Advice. The code strings reportedly began appearing a few weeks ago, although their values have so far been set to "false."
That may mean that a future version of iOS will let people hide more -- though probably not all -- default apps. Users have complained that unwanted Apple apps still take up space on the homescreen, and must be moved into folders or separate pages to make room, since they normally can't be deleted.
One exception is iCloud Drive, toggled on or off through the Settings app's iCloud menu. Apple's Configurator tool can also be used to strip native apps, but is intended for businesses, schools, and other organizations.
In September Apple CEO Tim Cook explained that while some default apps can't be removed because of interdependencies, others don't share the same burden and are likely to be removable in the future. Conceivably Apple could implement a way of hiding apps in a later iOS 9 update, or let the feature wait until iOS 10.
Image Credit: App Advice
Titles on the App Store now have two new keys, "isFirstParty" and "isFirstPartyHideableApp," according to App Advice. The code strings reportedly began appearing a few weeks ago, although their values have so far been set to "false."
That may mean that a future version of iOS will let people hide more -- though probably not all -- default apps. Users have complained that unwanted Apple apps still take up space on the homescreen, and must be moved into folders or separate pages to make room, since they normally can't be deleted.
One exception is iCloud Drive, toggled on or off through the Settings app's iCloud menu. Apple's Configurator tool can also be used to strip native apps, but is intended for businesses, schools, and other organizations.
In September Apple CEO Tim Cook explained that while some default apps can't be removed because of interdependencies, others don't share the same burden and are likely to be removable in the future. Conceivably Apple could implement a way of hiding apps in a later iOS 9 update, or let the feature wait until iOS 10.
Comments
Hiding them is more than generous.
1) Free up space
2) Because I own the device and should be able to.
And to both points I say, GTFO. The stock Apps take up negligible space, and no you don't own the OS or any of the software on the device. You may think you own the metal and glass brick around it, and if your device is paid off maybe you do, but that is it. You are not entitled to a goddamn thing.
Because they are so embedded, removing the front end would likely give back very little space on the phone.
That's like wanting to remove Safari and using Firefox, you're not getting much in return if you do that because they're all using Webkit.
BTW, I plug every Apple app in a folder and stick them on the last screen, never to be seen again; Fiew, that was sure hard.
I'm assuming so as most Google apps are available on the play store and don't require a full OS update to get new festures/bug fixes.
Hiding and unhiding will be easy. In settings there will be a "Hide" section followed by all those nice little on/off toggles for each App that has this ability.
I think some people are missing the bigger picture here. Why does a setting for hiding Apps have to mean it's for people who want to hide the stock Apps they don't use? A perfect use for this would be phones that have a Work and Home setting. This is where you could specify which Apps are hidden depending on if you're using your phone at work or for personal use.