Hide iTunes purchases: What it does and how to do it

Yes, you can hide iTunes purchases from your account’s purchase history, but it does not delete them or refund them. Hiding is a privacy feature that removes an item from the “Purchased” list on your devices and from the iTunes Store app, so family members or anyone using your device won’t see it. The item remains tied to your Apple ID, can be redownloaded later if you unhide it, and is still covered by the same license terms.

What “hiding” actually does

When you hide a purchase, Apple removes it from the visible purchase history associated with your Apple ID. This applies to apps, music, movies, TV shows, books, and audiobooks purchased from the iTunes Store, App Store, or Apple Books. The item is not deleted from Apple’s servers, and it is not refunded. You are simply changing its visibility in your own account views.

Hidden purchases also disappear from the “Purchased” tab in the App Store and iTunes Store apps on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC. If you use Family Sharing, hidden items are not shown to other family members, which is a common reason people hide purchases in the first place. However, hiding does not affect the actual download on your device — if you already downloaded the item, it stays on that device until you delete it manually.

Why you might want to hide purchases

There are several legitimate reasons to hide an iTunes purchase, and Apple provides the feature specifically for these scenarios:

• Privacy from family members: With Family Sharing, everyone in the group can see what others have purchased. Hiding an item removes it from that shared view.
• Cleaning up a cluttered purchase list: If you have hundreds of apps or songs, hiding ones you no longer use makes it easier to find the ones you do.
• Accidental purchases: If you bought something by mistake and cannot get a refund, hiding it at least removes it from your visible history.
• Gift purchases: If you bought an app or song as a gift, you might not want it cluttering your own purchase list.

It is important to note that hiding is not the same as deleting. You cannot “delete” a purchase from your Apple ID entirely — the only way to remove it permanently is to request a refund, and even then, the item may still appear in your history with a note that it was refunded.

How to hide a purchase on iPhone and iPad

The steps are slightly different depending on the type of content. For apps on iOS or iPadOS:

1. Open the App Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon (top right corner).
3. Tap Purchased.
4. Find the app you want to hide. You can use the search bar or scroll through the list.
5. Swipe left on the app and tap Hide. Alternatively, tap the app’s name, then tap the three-dot menu and choose Hide Purchase.

For music, movies, TV shows, and books on an iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the iTunes Store app (for music and video) or the Apple Books app (for books).
2. Tap Purchased (or the account icon, then Purchased).
3. Find the item you want to hide.
4. Swipe left on the item and tap Hide.

On a Mac, open the App Store app, click your name at the bottom of the sidebar, then click Purchased. Hover over the app, click the three-dot button, and choose Hide Purchase. For music and video on a Mac, open the Music or TV app, go to Account > Purchased, then right-click the item and select Hide Purchase.

How to unhide a purchase

If you change your mind, you can unhide any purchase. The process is the same across devices, but the entry point is a bit hidden:

1. On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon, then tap your Apple ID (the blue link at the top).
3. Tap Manage next to “Hidden Purchases.”
4. Find the item you want to restore and tap Unhide.

For music, movies, and TV shows, you need to use a computer. On a Mac or PC, open the iTunes app (or the Music/TV app on newer Macs), go to Account > View My Account, scroll to “Hidden Purchases,” and click Manage. From there, you can unhide items individually or all at once.

What happens to hidden purchases with Family Sharing

Family Sharing is the most common reason people hide purchases, so it is worth understanding the exact behavior. When you hide a purchase, it disappears from the shared family purchase list. Other family members cannot see it, and they cannot download it through Family Sharing. However, if you unhide it, it becomes visible to the family again.

One important caveat: hiding a purchase does not remove it from the family member’s device if they already downloaded it. If your child downloaded a song you later hide, that song stays in their library. Hiding only affects the visibility of the purchase record, not the actual files on any device.

Common problems and misconceptions

Several misunderstandings about hiding iTunes purchases come up repeatedly:

• “Hiding deletes the item.” It does not. The item remains in your account and can be redownloaded at any time.
• “Hiding prevents re-downloading.” It does not. You can still download the item from the store as long as you are signed in with the same Apple ID.
• “Hiding is the same as removing it from my device.” It is not. The file stays on your device until you delete it manually.
• “I can hide a purchase I got as a gift.” Yes, gifted items appear in your purchase history and can be hidden like any other purchase.
• “Hidden purchases are gone forever.” No, they are simply hidden. You can unhide them at any time.

If you cannot find the “Hide” option, make sure you are looking at the correct purchase list. Apps are hidden from the App Store’s Purchased list, while music and video are hidden from the iTunes Store or Music/TV apps. Also, note that you cannot hide purchases made by other family members — only your own.

Alternatives: refunds and deletion

If your goal is to actually get rid of a purchase, hiding is not the right tool. The alternatives are:

• Request a refund: For accidental purchases or purchases you no longer want, you can request a refund from Apple. Go to reportaproblem.apple.com, sign in, and select the item. Refunds are not guaranteed, but they are often granted for accidental purchases made within a reasonable time.
• Delete the download: If you just want the item off your device, delete it like any other file. This does not remove it from your purchase history, but it frees up storage.
• Use a different Apple ID: If you want a completely clean slate, you could create a new Apple ID and use it for future purchases. This is drastic and not recommended, as you would lose access to all previous purchases unless you switch back.

Remember that Apple does not allow you to permanently delete a purchase from your account history. The only permanent removal is a refund, and even then, the item may still appear in your history with a “Refunded” status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hiding a purchase free up storage space?

No. Hiding only removes the item from your purchase history view. The actual file remains on your device until you delete it. To free up space, delete the app, song, or movie from your device normally.

Can I hide a purchase I made with a different Apple ID?

No. You can only hide purchases made with the Apple ID you are currently signed in with. If you have multiple Apple IDs, you would need to sign in to each one to manage its purchases.

Will hidden purchases still appear in my iCloud backup?

Hidden purchases are not part of your device backup. Backups contain app data and settings, not your purchase history. The hidden status is tied to your Apple ID, not your device backup.

Can family members see my hidden purchases if they know my Apple ID password?

If someone has your Apple ID password, they can sign in and view your account, including hidden purchases, by going to Account > View My Account > Hidden Purchases. Hiding is not a security measure; it is a privacy convenience. Do not share your password with anyone you do not fully trust.

Why is the Hide option missing for some purchases?

Some items, such as free apps or items that were removed from the store, may not have a Hide option. Also, if you are looking at a family member’s purchase list, you cannot hide their items. Make sure you are viewing your own purchase list.

Does hiding affect my ability to get a refund later?

No. Hiding does not change your eligibility for a refund. You can still request a refund for a hidden item through reportaproblem.apple.com. However, if you request a refund, the item will be marked as refunded, not hidden.

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