How to Hide iOS 15 Home Screen Pages Using Focus

Apple’s iOS 15 introduced the Focus feature to help users reduce distractions by filtering notifications and customizing user interfaces based on their current activity. Beyond silencing alerts, Focus allows users to restrict visibility to specific Home Screen pages, hiding pages filled with distracting apps while leaving only task-relevant tools visible. This article explains how this functionality works, how to configure custom Home Screen pages, and what happens to hidden apps during an active Focus mode.

How Home Screen Restriction Works in Focus

The Focus feature works by linking designated Home Screen layouts to individual Focus profiles (such as Work, Personal, Sleep, or custom profiles). Instead of permanently rearranging or deleting icons, iOS 15 temporarily hides unselected Home Screen pages from view as long as the profile is active.

When a Focus is turned on, the system alters the page pagination:

  • Only the pages chosen for that specific profile are rendered.
  • Unselected pages are suppressed entirely from the swipeable Home Screen carousel.
  • When the Focus mode is disabled or switched, the full, original Home Screen layout returns instantly.

Steps to Restrict Home Screen Pages

To select which Home Screen pages appear during a Focus mode:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone running iOS 15.
  2. Tap Focus, then select the mode you want to configure (e.g., Work).
  3. Under the Options section, tap Home Screen.
  4. Toggle on Custom Pages.
  5. A menu displaying previews of all current Home Screen pages will appear. Check the circle below the specific page or pages you want visible during this Focus.
  6. Tap Done in the top-right corner.

You can also toggle the Hide Notification Badges setting within the same menu to prevent visible badge counts from displaying on app icons, further reducing visual clutter.

Accessing Apps on Hidden Pages

Restricting Home Screen pages does not restrict app access or remove apps from your device:

  • App Library: Swiping past the last visible Home Screen page still opens the App Library, where all installed applications remain accessible.
  • Spotlight Search: Swiping down to access Spotlight allows you to search for and launch any app, even if its containing Home Screen page is hidden.
  • Siri: Voice commands can still open any app regardless of page visibility.

By dedicating tailored Home Screen pages to specific Focus states, iOS 15 provides an environment that keeps you focused on relevant tasks without permanently altering your device’s arrangement.