As a developer, you may need to conceal your app on iOS 18 for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you are working on a new version and want to keep it hidden from users until it is ready for release. Or maybe you have an app that is no longer being actively maintained and want to ensure that it remains secure.

Concealing Your App: The Basics

Before we dive into the specifics of concealing an app on iOS 18, let’s first define what we mean by this term. When we say “conceal,” we are referring to making your app invisible to users and not accessible through the App Store or other means. This is different from simply hiding the icon for your app on a user’s home screen, which can still be accessed through Spotlight or other search functions.

To conceal an app on iOS 18, you will need to remove it from the App Store and from any distribution channels. Once this has been done, users will no longer be able to download your app from these sources. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:

• If your app was distributed directly to users (e.g., through a company intranet or other internal network), you can still conceal it by removing it from that distribution channel.



• If your app was distributed through the TestFlight beta testing program, you can still keep it hidden until it is ready for release.

Concealing Your App Through the App Store

To conceal an app on iOS 18 through the App Store, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Log in to your iTunes Connect account and navigate to your app’s listing page.
2. Click on the “Price” tab and select “Free.” This will make your app available for download at no cost.
3. Click on the “Screenshots” tab and remove any screenshots that you have uploaded for your app. This will make it difficult for users to find and download your app.
4. Click on the “Market” tab and select “Deliver.” This will remove your app from the App Store and make it unavailable for download.

Once you have completed these steps, your app will be concealed on iOS 18 through the App Store. However, it is important to note that users may still be able to find and download your app through other means (e.g., searching for it on Google). To fully conceal your app, you may need to take additional steps:

• Remove any distribution channels that are making your app available outside of the App Store. This may include internal networks or third-party websites.
• Contact any users who have already downloaded your app and ask them to delete it from their devices. This will ensure that it is no longer accessible even if users are able to find it through other means.

Concealing Your App Through Other Distribution Channels

To conceal an app on iOS 18 through other distribution channels, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Identify any distribution channels that are making your app available outside of the App Store (e.g., internal networks or third-party websites).
2. Contact the administrators of these distribution channels and request that they remove your app from their systems. This may involve providing them with a link to your app’s listing page on iTunes Connect, where they can use the “Deliver” button to remove it from their system.
3. Contact any users who have already downloaded your app through these distribution channels and ask them to delete it from their devices. This will ensure that it is no longer accessible even if users are able to find it through other means.