8 Best Ways To Hide Apps On Android Phones

It cannot be easy to figure out how to conceal apps on Android. Not every Android phone manufacturer offers the option and those that do have a distinct approach for each one.

It’s inexcusably difficult to figure out how to hide apps that regularly distract you or private apps that you’d prefer to keep hidden from other phone users.

When Android 12 comes out of beta later this year, it will include native support for locked folders, but hiding apps isn’t on the horizon. For the immediate being, your only choice is to use a Samsung, OnePlus, or Xiaomi phone, which all have this feature built into their Android skins.

solutions To Hide Apps On Android Phones

1. Hide Apps on Android with built-in settings (some models)
2. Use an app hider from a third-party service
3. Use Samsung’s secure  folder to hide apps
4. To conceal apps, create a guest account or use your phone’s private mode
5. To conceal apps, disable them
6. Devices that are not rooted
7. Rooted devices
8. On any Android phone, here’s how to conceal photos and files

1. Hide Apps on Android with built-in settings (some models)

Some Android phones have a built-in function that allows you to hide apps from the home screen or the phone settings. You might be lucky to own an LG, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, or One-plus phone. If not, move down to third-party Android app concealing solutions. 

On Samsung phones, you can hide apps

On Samsung Android devices, here’s how to conceal apps. Although not all Samsung phones have the same settings, the following procedure should work:

1. Activate your app drawer.
2. In the top right corner, tap the three dots.
3. Open the Home Screen Options menu (or just Settings).
4. Choose Hide apps from the drop-down menu.
5. Select the application(s) you would like to hide.
6. Use the Apply button to confirm (or press Done).

Xiaomi phones may be configured to hide apps

Xiaomi phones have a built-in app lock function, but you must configure it. On Xiaomi phones, here’s how to hide apps:

1. Go to your Settings page.
2. After that, tap the app lock, then the gear icon.
3. Select Apps that aren’t shown.
4. Managing hidden apps is the option.
5. Select the applications you want to hide.
6. You may later find the apps you’ve concealed by panning out on the main screen and using your fingerprint to open the app lock function.

LG phones have a feature that allows you to hide apps

1. The home screen settings on some LG phones allow you to hide apps.
2. To access Home Screen Settings, long-press the home screen.
3. Select Hide apps from the drop-down menu.
4. You can hide any app(s) you wish.
5. Use the Done button to confirm.

Applications on Huawei phones can be hidden

Private space is a private folder on Huawei phones where you can hide apps and files and secure them with your fingerprint. However, you won’t be capable of moving applications from your main screen to PrivateSpace; you’ll have to download them anew to the PrivateSpace Folder.

To begin, go to Settings > Security & privacy > PrivateSpace to configure private space. Here’s how to hide applications on your Huawei phone once that’s done:

With your fingerprint, open private space.

Any applications you want to remain private can be downloaded. That’s all there is to it.

Applications on OnePlus phones can be hidden

Hidden Space is a feature on OnePlus phones that allows you to hide apps. You may even make the Secret Space folder password-protected to keep your programs hidden. On OnePlus phones, here’s how to hide apps:

1. Swipe right to open the app drawer.
2. To add apps, tap +.
3. To confirm, tap the checkmark.
4. In the top right-hand corner, tap the three dots.
5. For optimal security, select Enable password and create a strong password.

2. Use an app hider from a third-party service.

If you’re unhappy with Android’s built-in app concealing features, you’ll need to download and install a third-party program designed expressly to hide Android apps.

These app-hider apps allow you to modify the titles and icons of your programs on your screen or hide them. Some of these hidden app hiders can even pass for another form of unobtrusive software, such as a calendar.

Let’s look at two of the most widely used third-party app hiders (it is pertinent to observe responsible Android app safety when installing third-party software). 

Launchers allow you to customize the look and feel of your phone.

You may customize your home screen with app hiders. However, apps usually require a lot of necessary permissions on your device, and some of them could even be malware.

1. Nova Launcher

Nova Launcher is a substitute home screen for someone wishing to change their user experience. It is available in both free and premium editions. You may not have to give the application full authority over your phone because it doesn’t require root access. 

After you’ve installed Nova and selected it as your default launcher, you can customize the names and icons of your apps in the app drawer to make them appear the way you want them to.

Here’s how to modify the applications on your home screen with Nova Launcher:

1. Swipe up to access your app drawer, then long-press and select Edit on the app you wish to change.
2. Then press Done to rename the app whatever you want. By touching the app icon, you can also change its appearance.

Nova Launcher’s premium edition allows you to conceal applications from the app drawer, but they’ll still be visible if someone knows what they’re looking for.

2. App Hider

As the title suggests, it is just another free web preference that will help you cover up your apps. It also disguises itself as a calculator, so anyone looking through your phone will be significantly less likely to suspect you of deception.

Here’s how to conceal your apps with App Hider:

1. App Hider should be installed and opened.
2. Select the applications you want to hide by tapping the Plus icon.
3. We’ve chosen to hide Slack in this case.
4. After you’ve imported your chosen app into App Hider, click it in the App Hider Menu to hide it or use the Dual function to run multiple instances.
5. You can also hide the app as a calculator from the App Hider Menu.
6. You’ll be asked to create a PIN. This PIN will launch App Hider when you enter it into the Calculator+ app. Otherwise, it will function as a standard calculator.
7. When we return to our app drawer, Program Hider has vanished, replaced by the seemingly harmless Calculator+ app.

3. Use Samsung’s Secure Folder to hide apps

You can hide apps on a Samsung device by creating a safe folder and copying or relocating applications (and files) into it. Here’s how to use Secure Folder to conceal applications on a Samsung phone.

Make a new Secure Folder on your computer.

Here’s how to make a new Secure Folder on your Samsung phone:

1. Scroll down from the top of your screen to the upper right and tap the small settings cog.
2. Biometrics and security are two options.
3. The Secure Folder should be selected.
4. If you already have a Samsung account, sign in. Create an account if you haven’t already. Then select one of the options: Sign in, Continue, or Agree.
5. Select Sign in or OK after entering your account information.
6. Tap Next after selecting your chosen lock type (pattern, PIN, or password).
7. Choose Continue, enter your lock method again, and hit Confirm.

Create a Secure Folder for your apps

On a Samsung phone, here’s how to move apps to a Secure Folder:

1. Tap Add files or the Plus sign to open your Secure Folder.
2. Select the programs you want to install. Select Download from Play Store to download apps directly to your Secure Folder.
3. Tap Add after you’ve selected the apps you want to hide.

Your Secure Folder will now include your preferred apps. You can also transfer files to your safe folder. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select Add files from your Secure Folder by tapping the three vertical dots.
2. Select the type of file you want to upload (images, docs, etc.).
3. Choose whether you want to move or copy the files you want to add.
4. You’ll now see a shortcut to your Secure Folder on your home and app screens, where you may add files and apps to keep them concealed.

4. To conceal apps, create a guest account or use your phone’s private mode

If you don’t want to download a third-party app, you can use a guest user account with stock Android. It’s a little inconvenient because it requires shifting to the guest account whenever you share your phone, so it’s probably not the safest option. It is, however, a beneficial solution for families who want to child-proof their phones or keep their kids secure online.

The procedure differs slightly based on your Android version and phone maker, and it isn’t available on all devices, particularly newer Android phones. Some phone manufacturers have their twist on the snoop-proofing strategy of “steal my phone.”

The Samsung Galaxy S7, which runs Android 8.0 Oreo, has a private mode feature, which allows you to block unauthorized users from reading certain data. The following is how it works: 

1. To access your Settings, scroll down at the top of your screen and click the cog icon.
2. Scroll down and select Lock screen and security from the drop-down menu.
3. Tap Private mode when you find it.
4. Toggle Private mode on in the top-right corner.
5. For Private mode, choose from the following options: pattern, PIN, password, or fingerprint.

You can toggle Private mode on or off after configuring your access type. Only those with access to your Private mode can see the stuff you’ve chosen. Ensure Private mode is turned on if you’re preparing to give your phone to someone.

5. To conceal apps, disable them

On the pinnacle of the Android operating system, several smartphone makers and operators add their apps (bloatware). If you’d prefer to get rid of these (often) inconvenient system apps, you have a few choices, depending on whether or not you’re ready to root your phone.

Rooting, also known as jailbreaking, circumvent your phone’s built-in limitations by installing apps or making changes. However, additional flexibility comes with increased risk, as your phone’s security measures may no longer protect you from dangerous apps and malware, voiding your manufacturer’s warranty.

6. Devices that are not rooted

While you won’t be able to uninstall many system apps sans rooting your device, you can disable them. The apps will be removed from your home screen and will no longer operate in the background if you disable them. They’ll still eat up space in your storage, but it’s better than nothing.

When looking for applications on your phone, disabled applications may still display in the results. They may also display in the list of apps in your Settings, depending on the manufacturer of your device.

On some phones, Google Assistant might be able to open disabled apps. Disabling apps is primarily about eliminating the need to glance at them on your home screen. 

On Android, here’s how to disable apps:

1. Swipe down and tap the cog icon to access your Settings.
2. Select the Apps option from the drop-down menu.
3. Choose an application you want to disable from the Apps menu and press the Disable button at the bottom of the screen. The deactivate option will be grayed out if the program cannot be disabled (possibly because it is required for vital functionality). (If the app can be uninstalled, you’ll see an option.)
4. TapDisable app to confirm you would like to disable the app.

If you want to use the application again, keep repeating the instructions above but select Enable instead of Disable this time.

7. Rooted devices

Rooting your phone allows you to remove system apps from your device completely. Rooting is a high-risk procedure that can lead to several additional issues and expose security flaws that hackers can exploit.

Because rooting exposes your phone to malware, you should use one of the finest Android privacy or security apps to keep it safe. Otherwise, you may have to remove viruses from your phone in addition to the relatively benign bloatware that brought you here. Rooting your phone, as previously stated, will violate your manufacturer’s warranty.

If you want to root your phone, you’ll need to find an application that can eliminate system apps and give you root access. Because you’ve disabled your phone’s security features, be extra cautious when investigating and selecting a replacement.

8. On any Android phone, here’s how to conceal photos and files

We’ll teach you two methods for hiding photographs and folders you can use on any phone, just like we showed you how to hide apps. Both accomplish their goals, albeit in very diverse ways. Both approaches necessitate the installation of an app from the Google Play Store.

1. Use the GalleryVault app to store your photos.

As its name suggests, this program works as a vault for your photographs and other files. You can save files from your gallery to GalleryVault, where they can be accessed using a PIN or fingerprint. It’s a free application, but some adverts can be irritating.

After downloading the app and tapping the Add button in the lower right, create an account. Choose if you want to upload photos, videos, or other media. Then choose the files you want to save, hit Add, then choose the folder where you want them to go. It’s as simple as that!

Instructions:

1. Install the GalleryVault app on your device.
2. Start the app and create an account.
3. In the bottom-right corner, press the Plus button.
4. Choose the sort of file you’d like to store in the vault.
5. Choose the files you’d like to upload.
6. Press the Add button.
7. Choose the folder where you wish the files to be saved.

2. One can also use AppLock

A program like AppLock is a better solution if you don’t want to move photographs and files from one location to another. It allows you to lock and unlock any application on your phone using your fingerprint.

You may lock the Gallery and Google Photographs applications, for example, so that even if someone steals your phone, they won’t be able to see your photos and files.

To get started, 

1. go to the Play Store, download AppLock, 
2. open it, and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up. 
3. To lock an app, scroll to the bottom until you see a list of your phone’s apps, then hit the ones you wish to secure.

Conclusion

Android is the favorite os for hundreds of phone and tablet users due to its numerous customization options. Hide apps are one of the flexible options.

Once you download an app, it will appear on your home screen or in the app drawer, a portion of your phone where you can find all the apps you’ve already downloaded.

If you want to organize your apps or conceal some, you may do so on an Android device using various methods.

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