Android phones offer users a wide range of customization options, including the ability to hide apps. Whether you want to keep certain apps private or simply declutter your home screen, hiding apps is a great solution. In this guide, we will show you step-by-step how to hide apps on Android using both built-in and third-party methods.
Can You Hide Apps on Android?
Yes, you can hide apps on Android. There are several ways to do this, including using built-in settings, third-party launchers, and secure folders. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Reasons to Hide Android Apps
There are many reasons why you might want to hide apps on your Android device. Here are a few common reasons:
- Privacy: You may have apps that you want to keep private, such as personal finance or dating apps. Hiding these apps ensures that only you have access to them.
- Organization: You may have apps that you rarely use, but still want to keep installed on your device. Hiding these apps can help declutter your home screen and make it easier to find the apps you do use frequently.
- Security: You may have apps that contain sensitive information, such as banking or email apps. Hiding these apps can help protect your information from prying eyes.
- Child-proofing: You may want to hide certain apps on your child’s device to prevent them from accessing them.
How to Hide Apps on Android: Comprehensive Guide
There are several methods for hiding apps on Android, including:
Hide Apps in Home Screen Settings
Most Android phones have a built-in feature that allows you to hide apps on the home screen. To hide apps on an Android phone:
Go to the home screen settingsSelect the apps you want to hideThen tap on the “hide” option.
This will remove the apps from your home screen and put them in a separate “hidden” folder.
Using Secure Folder to Hide Apps
Secure folders are a feature that allows you to keep certain apps and files private. Once the secure folder is created, you can add apps to it there. Here is How to Create a Secure Folder and How to Add Apps to a Secure Folder
1.Create a New Secure Folder
Creating a new secure folder is easy and simple. Go to your device settings > lock screen and security > Secure Folder. Once you tap on Secure Folder, your device will ask you to create an account or sign in to an existing one. Once you are done with the account creation, you can now access the Secure Folder and add apps to it.
2.Add Apps to a Secure Folder
You can add apps to a secure folder by tapping on the “add apps” option. Once you have added apps to a secure folder, they will be hidden from the home screen. The apps can only be accessed by opening the secure folder and entering the password.
Hide Apps with Android Launcher Apps
If the built-in methods for hiding apps on Android don’t work for you, you can also use a third-party launcher app. A launcher app allows you to customize your device’s home screen and hide apps. Here are a few popular launcher apps that allow you to hide apps:
- Nova Launcher: This is a popular launcher app that allows you to hide apps by creating a hidden folder.
- Apex Launcher: This is another popular launcher app that allows you to hide apps by creating a hidden folder.
- Smart Launcher: This launcher app allows you to hide apps by creating a hidden category.
Before using any third-party launcher app, be sure to read the app’s reviews and check for any potential security concerns.
Create Guest Account or Secret Mode
Another way to hide apps on Android is to create a guest account or use secret mode. A guest account is a type of account that can only be used only by a specific person. This account can be used to hide apps from other users. Secret mode is a feature that allows you to hide apps and private information from other users.
How to Hide Apps on Android Common Models?
Different Android models may have slightly different methods for hiding apps. Here are a few examples of how to hide apps on some popular Android models:
Samsung
On Samsung devices, even Samsung Galaxy, you can hide apps by using the Secure Folder feature.
To create a Secure Folder:
- Go to your device’s settings
- Then go to “Security”
- And then “Secure Folder.”
From there, you can create a new folder and add apps to it.
You can also hide apps by disabling them in the device’s settings:
- Go to the settings app
- Then go to the “Apps” option
- Look for the app you want to hide and disable it
OnePlus
On OnePlus devices, you can hide apps by using the app drawer. To access the app drawer, swipe up from the bottom of the home screen. From there, you can long press on the app you want to hide and select the “Hide” option.
LG
On LG devices, you can hide apps by using the “Home & app drawer” settings. To access these settings, go to your device’s settings, then go to “Home & app drawer.” From there, you can turn on the “Hide apps” option and select the apps you want to hide.
Pixel
On Pixel devices, you can hide apps by disabling them in the device’s settings. Go to the settings app, then go to the “Apps” option and look for the app you want to hide and disable it.
Xiaomi
On Xiaomi devices, you can hide apps by using the “Security” app. To access the “Security” app, go to your device’s settings, then go to “Security.” From there, you can turn on the “Hidden apps” option and select the apps you want to hide.
Motorola
On Motorola devices, you can hide apps by disabling them in the device’s settings. Go to the settings app, then go to the “Apps” option and look for the app you want to hide and disable it.
It’s worth noting that some of the above methods may not work on all versions of the specific models. So it’s always best to check the settings of your device and look for options that allow you to hide apps or disable them.
How to Find Hidden Apps on Android?
If you’ve hidden apps on your Android device, you may want to know how to find them again. Here are a few methods for finding hidden apps on Android:
1. In the Home Screen Settings
If you’ve hidden apps by removing them from your home screen or disabling them in the device’s settings, you can find them again:
- Go to your device’s settings
- Then going to “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
- From there, you can see all of the apps installed on your device, including the hidden ones.
2. In Android Launcher Apps
If you’ve hidden apps using an Android launcher app, you can find them following this steps :
- Open the launcher app
- Look for the “Hidden Apps” or “App Drawer” option.
- From there, you can see all of the apps that have been hidden.
3. In AirDroid Parental Control
If you’ve hidden apps using AirDroid Parental Control:
- Open the AirDroid Parental Control app
- Go to the “Apps” section
- There you can see all of the apps that have been hidden and manage them
Keep in mind that some of the above methods may not work on all versions of Android, or even on all devices. It’s always best to check the settings of your device and look for options that allow you to manage or view hidden apps.
Conclusion
Hiding apps on Android is a great way to keep certain apps private or declutter your home screen. By using the built-in methods or a third-party launcher app, you can easily hide apps on your device. Be sure to read reviews and check for any potential security concerns before using any third-party apps.
FAQs about How to Hide Android Apps
1. What are the most effective ways to hide android apps?
The most effective ways to hide android apps vary depending on the device and operating system you’re using. Some of the most common methods include disabling apps in the device’s settings, using a secure folder, or using an Android launcher app.
2. Are there any apps available that allow for easy app hiding on android devices?
Yes, there are several apps available that allow for easy app hiding on android devices, such as Microsoft Launcher, Nova Launcher, and AirDroid Parental Control.
3. Can apps be hidden on non-rooted android devices?
Yes, apps can be hidden on non-rooted android devices using methods such as disabling apps in the device’s settings, using a secure folder, or using an Android launcher app.
4. How can I hide certain apps from appearing on my android device’s home screen?
You can hide certain apps from appearing on your android device’s home screen by removing them from the home screen or disabling them in the device’s settings. Additionally, you can use an Android launcher app to hide apps from the home screen.
5. Are there any built-in features on android devices that allow for app hiding?
Many android devices have built-in features that allow for app hiding such as disabling apps in the device’s settings, using a secure folder, or using an Android launcher app.
6. Can apps be hidden on android devices without compromising their functionality?
Yes, apps can be hidden on android devices without compromising their functionality by using methods such as disabling them in the device’s settings, using a secure folder, or using an Android launcher app.
7. How can I password protect hidden apps on my android device?
You can password protect hidden apps on your android device by using a secure folder feature, which can be accessed by a password or fingerprint.
8. Are there any negative consequences to hiding apps on an android device?
Hiding apps on an android device can help to keep your device more organized and secure, but it’s important to note that hidden apps may still consume resources, such as storage and battery life.
9. How can I unhide hidden apps on my android device?
You can unhide hidden apps on your android device by going to your device’s settings, then going to “Apps” or “Application Manager” to see all of the apps installed on your device, including the hidden ones. Additionally, you can use an Android launcher app to unhide apps.
10. Are there any differences in app hiding on different versions of the android operating system?
The methods and options for app hiding may vary slightly depending on the version of the android operating system you’re using. It’s always best to check the settings of your device and look for options that allow you to manage or view hidden apps.
