How to Hide Apps on Android: 7 Easy Ways
Quick answer: You can hide apps on Android using built-in settings (available on Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus), your home screen launcher, or a trusted third-party app. The easiest method depends on your phone brand and Android version. Hiding an app removes it from view—but does not delete it or hide its notifications and data.
Yes, you can hide apps on Android—and depending on your phone, you might not need to install anything extra to do it.
Maybe there’s an app you’d rather not explain to a nosy family member. Maybe you want a cleaner home screen without actually uninstalling anything. Or perhaps you’re handing your phone to someone and don’t want them poking around. Whatever the reason, hiding apps on Android is a practical, built-in feature on many devices—and a quick workaround on others.
The tricky part? Android is not one-size-fits-all. Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and stock Android devices all handle app hiding differently. Some offer deep settings menus. Others rely on launchers or third-party tools. This guide walks you through every major method—step by step—so you can find what works for your specific phone.
You’ll also learn how to find hidden apps, how to unhide them, and why hiding an app is not the same as locking one.
What Are Hidden Apps and Why Do People Hide Them?
A hidden app is an app that has been removed from your home screen, app drawer, or both—without being uninstalled. The app still exists on your device and continues to run in the background. You just can’t see it unless you know where to look.
People hide apps for a range of completely ordinary reasons:
- Privacy: Keeping personal finance, health, or dating apps out of view
- Parental control: Preventing kids from accessing certain apps on a shared phone
- Cleaner UI: Removing pre-installed bloatware from the home screen without deleting it
- Focus: Reducing visual distractions by hiding apps you rarely use
One important note before you dive in: hiding an app does not make it invisible to someone who knows how to look. Notifications can still appear. Files and data remain on the device. App activity may still show up in battery or data usage. If true privacy is your goal, you’ll need more than just hiding—more on that in the app lock section below.
How to Hide Apps on Android
There are seven main methods, ranging from built-in phone settings to third-party launchers. The right one for you depends on your phone brand, Android version, and how much privacy you actually need.
Here’s a quick overview before we get into the step-by-step details:
| Method | Third-Party App Required? | Works On | Privacy Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung built-in settings | No | Samsung Galaxy | Medium |
| Xiaomi/MIUI built-in settings | No | Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Medium |
| OnePlus built-in settings | No | OnePlus (OxygenOS) | Medium |
| Home screen removal | No | Most Android phones | Low |
| App drawer hiding (launcher) | Sometimes | Most Android phones | Low–Medium |
| Third-party launcher | Yes | Most Android phones | Medium |
| Third-party privacy app | Yes | Most Android phones | Medium–High |
Can You Hide Apps Without Installing an App?
Yes—on many popular Android phones. Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, and OnePlus devices all include built-in options to hide apps without downloading anything extra.
If your phone doesn’t have a built-in option (common on stock Android phones like the Pixel series), you can still hide apps from the home screen or use a third-party launcher. More on that below.
How to Hide Apps on Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 2.0 or later include a dedicated app-hiding feature built directly into the home screen settings. This works on most modern Galaxy phones, including the S, A, and Z series.
Steps to hide apps on Samsung Galaxy:
- Long-press on an empty area of your home screen
- Tap Settings (bottom of the screen)
- Scroll down and tap Hide apps on Home and App screens
- Select the apps you want to hide
- Tap Done
The hidden apps won’t appear on your home screen or in the app drawer. To access them, you can search for them using the phone’s search bar.
Note: This feature may look slightly different depending on your One UI version. On older Samsung devices, the option may be listed as Hide apps under the App drawer settings.
How to Hide Apps on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO
Xiaomi phones running MIUI 12 and later (including Redmi and POCO devices) offer a feature called Hidden Space—a separate, password-protected section where you can store apps out of sight.
Steps to access Hidden Space on MIUI:
- On your home screen, swipe right until you reach the leftmost panel
- A Hidden Space panel will appear
- Tap the + icon to add apps to this space
- Set a password or PIN when prompted
Apps added to Hidden Space disappear from your main app drawer and home screen. They’re only accessible through the Hidden Space panel.
Note: The availability of Hidden Space varies by MIUI version and device. If you don’t see it, check your MIUI version in Settings > About phone and consider updating.
How to Hide Apps on OnePlus
OnePlus devices running OxygenOS 11 and later include a Hidden Space feature similar to Xiaomi’s, accessible from the app drawer.
Steps to hide apps on OnePlus:
- Open your App Drawer by swiping up from the home screen
- Swipe right to reveal the Hidden Space panel
- Tap the + icon to add apps
- Set a password to protect the space
Once added, those apps won’t show up in your main app drawer. You can access them only through the Hidden Space panel with your password.
Note: OxygenOS features can vary by OnePlus model and software version. If the option isn’t available, confirm your OxygenOS version is up to date.
How to Hide Apps From the Home Screen
This is the simplest method and works on virtually every Android phone. It doesn’t hide apps from the app drawer, but it clears them from your home screen.
Steps to remove an app from your home screen:
- Long-press the app icon on your home screen
- Select Remove from Home screen (wording may vary by device)
- The app icon disappears from your home screen but remains in your app drawer
This is ideal if you just want a tidier home screen. It’s not a privacy feature—anyone browsing your app drawer will still see the app.
How to Hide Apps From the App Drawer
Hiding an app from the app drawer is trickier on stock Android, but many third-party launchers make it straightforward.
Using Nova Launcher (popular option):
- Download Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store
- Set it as your default launcher
- Open Nova Settings > App drawer > Hide apps
- Select the apps you want to hide
- Tap Done
The selected apps will no longer appear in your app drawer. They can still be found by searching your phone or through the app’s settings.
Other launchers with similar features: Microsoft Launcher, Niagara Launcher, and Smart Launcher also offer app-hiding options, though the steps vary by app.
How to Hide Apps Using a Third-Party App
If your phone doesn’t have built-in hiding features and you don’t want a new launcher, a dedicated privacy app is another option.
Recommended apps:
- Apex Launcher – Includes an app-hiding feature within its settings
- Folder Lock – Hides and locks apps behind a PIN or fingerprint
- Calc Vault – Disguises itself as a calculator while hiding other apps
Important: Only download apps from the Google Play Store. Always check app permissions before installing—a legitimate app hider does not need access to your contacts, microphone, or camera. Read recent user reviews and check the developer’s reputation.
Third-party privacy apps offer a higher level of concealment than built-in methods, but they’re not foolproof. Someone checking your installed apps list in Settings > Apps will still see them.
How to Find Hidden Apps on Android
If you suspect hidden apps are on your phone (or you’ve forgotten where you hid yours), here are the most reliable ways to find them.
Method 1: Check Settings > Apps
- Go to Settings
- Tap Apps or Application Manager
- This displays all installed apps, including hidden ones
Method 2: Use the phone’s search function
Most Android phones include a search bar on the home screen or app drawer. Type the name of the app—hidden or not—and it will usually appear in results.
Method 3: Check specific hidden spaces
On Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus, check the Hidden Space or Hidden apps section as described in the brand-specific sections above.
Method 4: Check the Google Play Store
Open the Play Store, go to your Profile > Manage apps & device > Manage. Every installed app appears here, regardless of whether it’s hidden on your home screen.
How to Unhide Apps on Android
Unhiding apps follows the same path as hiding them—just in reverse.
On Samsung:
- Long-press the home screen > Settings
- Tap Hide apps
- Remove apps from the hidden list > Done
On Xiaomi/POCO/Redmi:
- Open Hidden Space
- Long-press the app you want to move back
- Select Move out of Hidden Space
On OnePlus:
- Open the Hidden Space from the app drawer
- Long-press the app
- Tap Move out
Using a third-party launcher:
Go to the launcher’s app-hiding settings and uncheck the apps you want to restore.
Hide Apps vs. App Lock: What’s the Difference?
These are two different tools that solve two different problems—and confusing them is a common mistake.
Hiding an app removes it from your home screen and app drawer. Someone casually browsing your phone won’t see it. But the app is still installed, still running, and still accessible if someone knows how to look (via Settings, Play Store, or search).
Locking an app keeps the app visible but requires a PIN, password, or fingerprint to open it. Anyone can see the app exists—they just can’t access it without your credentials.
| Feature | Hide App | App Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Visible on home screen | No | Yes |
| Requires password to open | No | Yes |
| Hides notifications | No | No |
| Hides from Settings > Apps | No | No |
| Prevents unauthorized access | Partially | Yes |
For most privacy use cases, app lock is more effective than hiding. Many Android phones include a built-in app lock (Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus all have one). For stock Android, apps like AppLock by DoMobile are widely used.
Are Hidden Apps Really Private?
Not entirely—and it’s worth being clear about this.
Hide apps on android
Hiding an app removes it from view, but it does not:
- Stop the app from sending notifications
- Remove the app from Settings > Apps
- Delete any associated files or data
- Hide app activity from battery or data usage logs
- Remove it from the Google Play Store’s installed apps list
Someone with enough curiosity—and access to your phone’s settings—can find hidden apps without much difficulty. Hidden apps work well for casual privacy (keeping things tidy, avoiding awkward questions) but not for high-stakes situations.
If you need stronger privacy, consider using a secure folder (Samsung has one built in), private browsing, or separate user profiles in Settings > System > Multiple users.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: The “hide apps” option doesn’t appear on my Samsung
This usually means your device is running an older version of One UI. Go to Settings > Software update and install any available updates. If the option still doesn’t appear, your device may not support it.
Problem: I hid an app but it still shows notifications
Hiding an app does not affect its notifications. To stop notifications, go to Settings > Apps > [App name] > Notifications and turn them off.
Problem: I can’t find my hidden apps after hiding them
Try searching for the app by name using your phone’s home screen search bar. Alternatively, check Settings > Apps to see a full list of installed apps.
Problem: My third-party launcher reset and my hidden apps reappeared
Launcher settings can reset if the app is updated or if you clear its cache. After any launcher update, re-check your app-hiding settings.
Problem: Nova Launcher’s hide apps feature doesn’t work after restart
Hide apps on android
Make sure Nova Launcher is set as your default launcher in Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app. If it’s not set as default, the settings won’t apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide apps on a stock Android phone without installing anything?
Stock Android (like on Google Pixel devices) doesn’t include a built-in app-hiding feature. Your best no-install option is removing apps from the home screen. To hide them from the app drawer, you’ll need a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher.
Will hidden apps still use data and battery?
Yes. Hiding an app has no effect on how it runs in the background. If you want to reduce an app’s resource usage, go to Settings > Apps > [App name] and select Force stop or restrict its background activity.
Is it safe to use third-party app hiders?
It depends on the app. Stick to well-reviewed apps from the Google Play Store with a credible developer. Before installing, check what permissions the app requests—a legitimate app hider does not need access to your camera, contacts, or location.
Can someone tell if I’m using a hidden app?
Hide apps on android
Possibly. Your carrier, network administrator, or anyone with access to your phone’s settings can still see data usage or app activity. Hiding an app provides surface-level privacy, not full concealment.
Does hiding an app delete its data?
No. Hiding an app leaves all its data, files, and settings completely intact. To delete an app’s data, go to Settings > Apps > [App name] > Storage > Clear data.
Does Samsung’s Secure Folder hide apps better than the built-in hide feature?
Yes. Samsung’s Secure Folder creates a separate, encrypted environment that keeps apps, files, and data isolated. It’s more private than the standard hide-apps feature because the apps inside aren’t visible in Settings > Apps by default. You can find it in Settings > Biometrics and security > Secure Folder.
Can I hide system apps or pre-installed apps?
You can disable many pre-installed apps by going to Settings > Apps > [App name] > Disable, which removes them from the app drawer without uninstalling. Not all system apps can be disabled, and availability varies by phone.
Which Method Is Best for You?
The right method depends on what you’re actually trying to do.
For Samsung Galaxy users
Use the built-in Hide Apps feature for quick, hassle-free hiding. For stronger privacy, move sensitive apps to Secure Folder.
For Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO users
Use Hidden Space—it’s built in, password-protected, and requires no extra apps.
For OnePlus users
Use the Hidden Space in OxygenOS. It’s straightforward and doesn’t require any third-party tools.
For stock Android users (Pixel, etc.)
Your best built-in option is removing apps from the home screen. For full app drawer hiding, Nova Launcher is a reliable and widely trusted choice.
For maximum privacy
Combine app hiding with app lock. Hiding removes the app from view; locking ensures that even if someone finds it, they can’t open it without your credentials.
No single method works perfectly for every phone and every situation. Start with your phone’s built-in options, layer in app lock if you need it, and only turn to third-party apps if the native tools fall short.
