How to Hide Apps on an Android Phone

Have you ever given your phone to a friend, looked away for a bit, only to find them scrolling through your app drawer and maybe opening up a few of them? So frustrating, right?

Well, do you know you can actually hide apps on your phone to never worry about such frustrations in the future?

“How?” You may ask. Well, we’re here to tell you how to hide apps on various android phones in 2024 and beyond.

Our phones are often the gateway to various financial, social, and personal dimensions, which calls for a need to feel secure while using them. Hiding apps on Android phones can also be used for work-life balance, parental supervision, experimenting, customization, and more.

So, let’s read more on how to hide apps on your Android phone.

Using Built-in Settings to Hide Apps

Many Android devices come with built-in features that allow you to hide apps directly from the settings or home screen. Here are steps for different Android devices:

How to Hide Apps on Samsung Phones

Samsung phones provide multiple ways to hide apps either through the built-in settings or the Secure Folder feature. Here’s how:

• Hiding an App from Home Screen and App Drawer:

• Swipe up to open the App Drawer.
• Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
• Tap “Hide apps” on Home and Apps screens.
• Select the apps you want to hide and tap “Done.”

• Using Secure Folder:

• Go to “Settings” > “Security and privacy” > “Secure Folder.”
• Follow the prompts to set up a Secure Folder with your Samsung account.
• Once the Secure Folder is set up, tap the “+” icon to add the apps you want to hide.

These apps will now be hidden and accessible only through the Secure Folder with a password or biometric lock.

How to Hide Apps on Xiaomi Phones

Xiaomi phones offer a built-in feature to hide apps easily. Here’s how::

• Hiding an App:

• Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi device.
• Tap on “App Lock.”
• Tap the gear icon and select “Hidden apps.”
• Turn on the toggles for the apps you want to hide. These apps will now disappear from your home screen and app drawer.

• Accessing Hidden Apps:

• Use a specific gesture to access hidden apps, typically spreading two fingers on the screen.
• You will be prompted to enter a password or pattern to access the hidden apps.

• Additional Security:

• You can set up a passcode for added security:
• In the “Hidden apps” menu, tap on the gear icon at the top right corner.
• Select “App Lock” and set up a passcode to secure your hidden apps.

• Using the Second Space Feature:

• Open the “Security” application on your home screen.
• Scroll down to “Second space” and select it.
• Follow the prompts to set up a second space, which acts as a separate user profile on your device. You can move apps and data between the main space and second space for additional privacy.

How to Hide Apps on OnePlus Phones (OxygenOS 12 and Later)

OnePlus devices running OxygenOS 12 and later come with enhanced privacy features that allow users to hide apps easily:

• Hiding an App:

• Open the app drawer and long-press on the app you want to hide.
• Tap on “Edit” and select “Hide” from the options.
• The app will now disappear from your app drawer and will only be accessible through the app settings.

• Accessing Hidden Apps:

• Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps.
• Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “Hidden Space.”
• Here, you will find all the apps that you have hidden.

• Setting Up a Password:

• Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Hidden Space.
• Tap on the three dots in the top right corner, select “Settings,” and then “Hidden Space password.”
• Follow the prompts to set up a password for extra security.

• Hiding the Hidden Space Feature:

• Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps.
• Find the “Settings” app, tap on “App info,” and choose “Hide.” This will make the Hidden Space feature itself disappear from your app drawer.

Using Third-Party Apps to Hide Apps

If your device doesn’t have built-in app-hiding options, you can use third-party apps. These apps provide additional privacy and customization features.

Nova Launcher

Nova Launcher is a popular third-party launcher that allows you to customize your home screen and hide apps without needing root access.

Steps to Use Nova Launcher:

1. Download and install Nova Launcher from the Play Store.
2. Set Nova as your default launcher.
3. Open Nova Settings.
4. Select “App Drawer.”
5. Tap “Hide Apps.”
6. Check the boxes next to the apps you want to hide.

App Hider

App Hider disguises itself as another app, like a calculator, to provide an extra layer of privacy.

Steps to Use App Hider:

1. Download and install App Hider from the Play Store.
2. Open the app and tap the “+” icon.
3. Select the apps you want to hide.
4. Hide the apps as a Calculator app by setting a PIN to open it.

Using Secure Folder on Samsung Devices

Samsung devices offer a Secure Folder feature that allows you to hide and secure apps.

Steps to Use Secure Folder:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “Biometrics and security.”
3. Select “Secure Folder.”
4. Set up your Secure Folder with a password or biometric lock.
5. Move apps to the Secure Folder to hide them.

Creating a Guest Account or Using Private Mode

Android also offers broader privacy features like guest accounts and private modes, perfect for sharing your device without exposing personal apps.

Steps to create a Guest Account:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “System.”
3. Select “Multiple users” and then “Guest.”
4. Switch to guest mode to hide your personal apps and data.

Disabling Apps to Hide

Disabling apps can be a straightforward way to hide them, especially for system apps that cannot be uninstalled.

Steps to Disable Apps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “Apps.”
3. Select the app you want to disable.
4. Tap “Disable” to hide the app from your home screen and app drawer.
5. For non-system apps, you go with the option of “Force Stop” if the “Disable” button is not present.

Finding Hidden Apps

To find hidden apps, navigate to Settings and select “Applications.” All hidden or disabled apps will be visible there. You can enable them again if needed.

Conclusion

Hiding apps on your Android device can enhance privacy and organization. Whether you use built-in settings, third-party apps, or security features like Secure Folder, these methods provide effective solutions. If your phone lacks built-in app hiding options, third-party apps can offer additional flexibility.

If you want more privacy, you can consider buying a dumb phone (the ones with keypads or flip phones that used to be popular up to 10-15 years ago).

So whether it is a dumb phone or a smart one, you can buy one on OLX, India’s largest marketplace for old, second-hand, and used mobile phones, laptops, kitchen appliances, cars, bikes, and much more.

FAQs

How can you completely deactivate an app?

You can disable or hide the app through Android launcher applications or device settings.

Are there any privacy-focused Android apps available?

Yes, Android users have a range of privacy applications to choose from, such as DuckDuckGo, Bitdefender Mobile Security, and Folder Lock, available on the Play Store.

How do I access hidden apps on Samsung devices?

You can access hidden apps by going to the Secure Folder. Open it using your password or biometric lock to find the apps you have hidden.

Can I hide apps on any Android device?

If your device’s UI doesn’t support hiding apps, you can use third-party launchers or app hiders to achieve similar results.