How to Hide Apps on Android? [Ultimate Guide]

If your phone is often accessed by a family member or friend, it is best to ensure your sensitive information and content are protected, for which you may need to hide some apps. Maybe you have a game you're addicted to that you're not ready to share with the world. Whatever the reason, there are a few different ways you can hide apps on your Android device.

Can You Hide Apps on Android?

Yes, Android users have different options for hiding applications depending on their Android version. For instance, if you're using Android 6.0 or higher, you can use the "hide apps" feature built into the operating system. This feature allows you to hide apps from your home screen and app drawer, making them invisible to anyone who doesn't know the secret to uncover them.

How to Hide Apps on Android?

Regardless of what Android brand (Samsung, OnePlus, Pixel) you use, there are native options, you can use to hide applications quickly. An alternative method of hiding apps is to use a launcher app. Launcher apps allow you to customize the look and feel of your home screen. They also allow you to hide apps by creating a hidden folder.

Hide Apps in Home Screen Settings

Most Android devices can hide apps from the home screen settings. These settings are available directly on the phone and don't require third-party applications.

1. Open Android device settings.
2. Scroll down and click on the Home screen.



3. Search and click Hide apps.



4. Now click as many apps as you wish to hide, and the hidden applications won't appear in the home screen menu.

Using Secure Folder to Hide Apps

A secure folder is a built-in security feature that lets you hide apps, files, and other sensitive content. Samsung devices are equipped with a private and encrypted secure folder that can only be accessed with a PIN or password. Best of all, it's totally free to use. So if you've got some apps you desire to keep hidden, read on for a step-by-step guide on how to use Secure Folder.

1. Create a New Secure Folder

You need a Samsung account to create a secure folder.

1. Open Samsung device settings and head over to "Biometrics and security."



2. Check the Secure Folder menu.



3. Sign in to your Samsung account.
4. There are a few permissions that you can allow to "secure folder" and choose the security method(PIN or Password).
5. You can see a shortcut to the secure folder that appears on your home screen.

2. Add Apps to a Secure Folder

1. Launch the Secure Folder.



2. Hit the "Add Apps" menu on the top side of the screen.
3. Choose as many apps as you want and tap done once selected.

Hide Apps with Android Launcher Apps

Another efficient way to hide apps is to use a launcher app. Launcher apps allow you to customize the look and feel of your home screen, and many of them come with the option to hide apps. You can hide any secret application you don't want anyone to know about with one of these launcher applications.

1. Microsoft Launcher

Microsoft Launcher is easily accessible from the Google Play Store, which certainly conceals applications you wish to hide. It has the added benefit of giving you more privacy, as well as decluttering your home screen and making it easier to find the apps you use. If you're interested in using Microsoft Launcher to hide your apps, Check out these steps for hiding secret apps in Microsoft Launcher.

1. Press and hold the blank space on the home screen.
2. Click on the launcher settings menu. Now select the Hidden apps menu.
3. Hit the Hide apps and choose the desired apps you wish to hide to make them invisible.

2. Nova Launcher

Among the best features of Nova Launcher's premium version is the ability to hide applications that are not visible to others. The third-party tool prevents specific apps from showing in the app drawer. A lot of users find it worthwhile when it comes to compelling customizations, managing apps, and even setting labels for specific apps.

1. Install and launch the Nova Launcher prime. Make sure it's your default launcher.
2. Open the Nova Launcher Prime settings section to activate added functions and search for the option named "Applications."
3. You can hide applications by clicking the Hide applications option under the category Drawer groups.

Create Guest Account or Secret Mode

This method will help you hide apps and be accessible when needed.

1. Create Guest Account

You should create a guest account on your Android phone for many different reasons. Maybe you're loaning your phone to a friend, and you don't want them to see all of your apps. Guest account Allows you to hide apps from your main account and keep them private.

1. Navigate to device Settings.
2. Select System and click Multiple users > Guest.



3. You can quickly set up a profile by tapping Add new user.
4. By extending the notifications menu and selecting the human head icon (look for it by the date), you can switch over to guest mode.

2. Use Secret Mode

Samsung devices offer Secret mode configurations as an added security to keep secret files and apps.

1. Head to the settings and check if you have configured the Secret mode. Also, set a strong password.



2. Swipe down the notification panel .
3. Click on the Secret mode and enter the password to add the applications.

Disable Apps to Hide

The Disable option resolves any issue you encounter when hiding preinstalled or system-based apps. As it is the most efficient and quick way to hide them.

1. Disable Apps on the Home Screen

1. Find the application you wish to disable.
2. Press and hold the application.
3. Tap on Disable.

2. Disable Apps in the Settings

1. Open your device settings.
2. Head over to the App section. You can see a list of all apps installed.
3. Choose the application you wish to disable, and from the next window, click on Disable.

How to Hide Apps on Android Common Models?

Now, You know you can keep certain apps private, but how? Whether it's for productivity, security, or peace of mind, each manufacturer has unique ways to hide apps on Android's common and most popular models. Here are some tips on how to keep your apps hidden.

Samsung

Samsung has a quick and straightforward way to hide the application and ensure it is not visible to anyone else.

Step 1: Open Samsung device settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and click on the Home screen.

Step 3: Search and click hide apps.

Step 4: Now click as many apps as you wish to hide, and the hidden applications won't appear in the home screen menu.

OnePlus

OnePlus devices offer OxygenOS, a prevalent custom skin, and Hidden space, which allows users to select and hide specific apps.

Step 1: Launch the app drawer.

Step 2: Use the swipe gesture to open the Hidden Space.

Step 3: Hit the + menu on the top-right side.

Step 4: Choose the apps you wish to hide.

Once the applications are selected, confirm the action and check in the app drawer. The applications are set as hidden.

LG

Like all other smartphones, LG offers compelling and secure settings to hide the application for as long as you desire. To hide apps on LG smartphones.

Step 1: Head over to Settings.

Step 2: Click on the "Display tab" and select "Home screen."

Step 3: There is an option named "Hide apps."

Step 4: Select the applications you wish to hide and then click APPLY.

Pixel

Google Pixel devices are trending, and Google is utilizing the opportunity to offer some of the most reliable and leading security configurations. Among these is the ability to hide applications. To hide applications on a Pixel device, follow simple steps.

Step 1: Navigate to the app drawer on your Pixel device.

Step 2: Press and hold the application you wish to hide.

Step 3: From the pop-up menu, tap on the info icon.

Step 4: Hit the Disable application option.

You can enable and use the application at any time as usual from the device settings > navigate to the application section and enable it. The application will appear in the app drawer.

Xiaomi

As part of its MIUI operating system, Xiaomi also offers the option to hide certain apps.

Step 1: Open Xiaomi device settings and click on apps.

Step 2: There is an app lock feature in the application settings. Click on it. Set up the necessary configuration and set a strong password.

Step 3: As soon as the app lock is set up, you will see two sections: App Lock & Hidden Apps. Tap on Hidden Apps, and you will see all the installed apps on your Xiaomi phone.

Step 4: Select the apps you wish to hide and toggle on the switch. By doing so, your app will be hidden.

Motorola

The following steps will guide you through hiding any application on your Motorola home screen.

Step 1: Turn on the Motorola screen and unlock the device.

Step 2: From the home screen, tap and hold an application you wish to hide or remove.

Step 3: Drag the application on the Remove section at the top of the interface to hide the application from the home screen.

How to Find Hidden Apps on Android?

Parents are often concerned about their children's Android device usage, especially if they spend a lot of time on it. In case a particular application doesn't appear in the app drawer, or one hides it intentionally or accidentally, you can easily find it. There are several ways to find hidden apps on any device, but we will discuss the most convenient method for finding hidden apps.

In the Home Screen Settings

Navigate to the Android device home screen and check the simple steps.

In Android Launcher Apps

To find the hidden apps, the steps below only apply to users who use third-party Android Launcher applications to customize their experience.

In AirDroid Parental Control

Many launcher apps show annoying ads. The AirDroid Parental Control app helps in this regard. Besides being the most comprehensive parental supervision application used and admired by a wide variety of users, it assists users in finding hidden certain apps on their own and children's Android devices.

The native App List feature in AirDroid Parental Control allows you to view the list of all your applications, even if they are intentionally hidden. It lets users enable that app, restrict its usage, and even uninstall it immediately. As an added benefit, you can use the AirDroid Parental Control application to monitor your child's device.

Here's a quick guide to getting started with AirDroid Parental Control.

Step 1. Download and install AirDroid Parental Control app on your device. You can also visit the web version at webparent.airdroid.com directly.

Step 2. Create an account and then log in. It will direct you to the sign-up page once you launch it.

Step 3. Download AirDroid Kids on your children's phones. After installation, launch AirDroid Kids and enter the pairing code to bind the device. Then set up some necessary settings on the phone .

Now open AirDroid Parental Control and tap on App List to see all the hidden apps on your kid’s phone.

Useful Tips to Protect Your Online Privacy

In the internet age, being aware of your online privacy is more important than ever. With data breaches and hacking becoming more common, you must protect yourself. While there's no single silver bullet regarding online privacy, you can do a few things to make it harder for hackers and spammers to get their hands on your personal information.

Set Strong Passwords

When it comes to online privacy, one of the most important things you can do is set strong passwords for all your accounts. A strong password should be at least eight characters long and contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words like "password" or easily accessible personal information like your birthdate.

Disable App Tracking

App tracking refers to the practice of collecting data about a user's online activity in order to deliver targeted ads. This data includes information about which apps are used, how often they're used, and what content is viewed within the app. However, many users are concerned about their privacy regarding app tracking. These users do not want advertisers to have access to their data.

Use a Secure Search Engine

Secure search engines are a vital tool for protecting your online privacy. Encrypting your searches helps to prevent your data from being exposed to third parties. You need to choose a secure search engine that fits your needs from various available options( DuckDuckGo, SearchEncrypt, and Mojeek).

FAQs about Hiding Apps on Android

1. How to Hide Apps on Android without Disabling?

Elsa

Those with Android devices can hide applications through their home page settings or download a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher.

2. How Do You Completely Hide an App?

Elsa

Either disable such an application or use the Android launcher apps to hide that app completely.

3. How Can I Hide Apps without App Store?

Elsa

A third-party marketplace application can be hidden using the Microsoft Launcher or Nova Premium launcher.

4. Is There a Privacy App for Android?

Elsa

There are various privacy apps for Android, such as Bitdefender Mobile Security, DuckDuckGo, and folder lock. Users can download these applications from the Play Store.

5. How to Hide Apps on Android without Another App?

Elsa

To hide an application on Android without another app, navigate to the device settings section and tap the app list. Choose the application you wish to hide and click the disable button.

6. How Do I Unhide Apps on Android without Disabling?

Elsa

It is possible to unhide apps on Android with the AirDroid Parental Control application. There is a dedicated app list that allows you to easily check for any apps that have been accidentally or intentionally hidden.

7. What Is Invisible App?

Elsa

Invisible apps operate in the background, recognize our needs based on sensor data and context, and act before we even realize it.