iPhone users given urgent iOS 18 warning as it’s slammed for controversial ‘cheater's paradise’ feature

Apple's latest iOS update, rumoured to be landing sometime this month, has been dubbed a 'cheater's paradise' by untrusting partners.

Details of the newest update from the smartphone company have been known for quite some time - including one to do with hiding apps.

Now, on the current iOS, you can remove apps from your home screen if you don't want to look at them - but they will still show up in the search bar.

Upon learning of new plans under iOS 18, one user wrote on X: "On the apple update you can hide and lock apps, and they won’t even come up if you search words in the search bar. Apple is a cheater’s paradise. That’s sick."

The latest update was first revealed by the Apple at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at California's Apple Park in California.

As well as hiding apps, it will include new icons and the ability to rearrange them in an entirely new way.

Apple shared in an announcement following its Worldwide Developers Conference in June: "Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder.

"When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app is hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system."

Eeek.

The announcement continued: "There will be a 'Hidden App' folder in the App Library, which may reveal some secrets to somebody searching another person's phone.

"Locked and hidden apps offer users peace of mind that information they want to keep private, such as app notifications and content, will not inadvertently be seen by others.

"Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder."

Further, the Apple website states: "iOS 18 gives users even more control with tools to manage who can see their apps, how contacts are shared, and how their iPhone connects to accessories.

"Locked and hidden apps offer users peace of mind that information they want to keep private, such as app notifications and content, will not inadvertently be seen by others.

On the apple update you can hide and lock apps, and they won’t even come up if you search words in the search bar. Apple is a cheater’s paradise. That’s sick. 😭

— 🤭 (@_RichieDinero) June 10, 2024

"Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder."

Suffice to say, many people were not happy upon learning the news.

One person wrote on X: "This new iOS18 update was made for cheaters by cheaters only. Now you can lock and hide apps. Ladies just focus on yourself and let that man cheat in peace. You don’t need that stress."

Another said: "Cheating about to be at an all time high with iOS 18."