8 Ways to Hide Apps on Your Android Phone

If you have apps on your Android phone or tablet that you want to keep hidden, there are many ways to hide them. You can use Private Space on stock Android or Secure Folder on Samsung Galaxy. There are multiple ways to hide apps within the Settings menu, as well as third-party apps you can use to hide apps and content on your phone or tablet. This wikiHow article teaches you how to hide apps on Android with expert tips from tech expert Henry Paris.

Hide Apps on Android

On many Android devices, you can hide apps in the Settings menu under the Home screen settings. You can also create a Private Space on stock Android or a Secure Folder on Samsung Galaxy and install apps in a secure space. You can also use app hider apps or launchers to hide apps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 8:

Using the Settings Menu

Download Article

1
Open your Android's Settings
. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Access menu. Then tap the Gear icon in the upper-right corner.
- This method works on many Android phones. However, some Android models do not have this option in the Settings menu.
It’s one of the options in the Settings menu.

Advertisement
3
Scroll down and tap Hide Apps or Hide apps on Home and Apps screens. It's near the bottom of the page.
- If you can’t find this option, tap the magnifying glass icon and search “hide apps.” If nothing pops up, your device may not have the option to hide apps in the Settings menu.
You can hide multiple icons if you'd like.
5
Tap Done. It's at the bottom of the screen. The selected app icons are now hidden from the Home screen and App menu.
- You can unhide apps by returning to the Hide apps area and deselecting the hidden app icons in the box at the top of the screen.

Method 2

Method 2 of 8:

Using Private Space

Download Article

1
Open the Settings menu. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Gear/Settings icon. On devices that run stock Android 15 or higher (i.e., Google Pixel devices), you can create a private space to hide apps. It will act sort of like a separate user profile on your phone. You can install apps privately in your Private Space.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- It’s recommended you create a separate Google account for your private space.
- Apps you install in your private space will stop running when you lock your private space. Private space is not suitable for apps that need to run in the background or send critical notifications (i.e., medical apps).
- Apps installed in your private space cannot be transferred to a new device. You will need to create a new private space on a new device. However, you will be able to sign in to the same Google account you use for your private space.
- Private space is not available on Samsung Galaxy devices. However, you can create a secure folder on Samsung Galaxy and install apps within.
Depending on what device model you have, you will need to tap Security & privacy or just Privacy.
3
Tap Private space. This will walk you through the process of setting up a Private Space.
- You may be required to enter your fingerprint or password that you use to unlock your phone.
You will see some information explaining the process of setting up a Private space. Tap Set Up in the lower-right corner to get started.
This screen explains that on the next screen, you will be given the option to sign in or create a new Google account. This is to prevent data from your private space from leaking. Tap Got it to proceed and create a new Google account (recommended). You can also tap Do it later at the bottom of the screen.
6
Sign in or create a new Google account (optional). If you already have a separate Google account you want to use for your private space, go ahead and sign in with the email address and password associated with that Google account. If you don’t have a separate Google account, tap Create account and follow the steps to create a new Google account.
- Alternatively, you can tap Skip to skip creating a new account. Without a Google account associated with your private space, you won’t be able to download your apps from the Google Play Store directly to your private space, and you won’t be able to sync Google service across other devices.
- Once you sign in to your Google account, you will need to agree to the terms of service. Then you will be given the option to sync your contacts and add other Google services. You can enable these features or tap the option to skip these steps.
If you want to set up a new lock with a different password to access your private space, tap Choose new lock at the bottom of the screen. If you want to use the same lock as your lock screen, tap Use screen lock instead.
8
Set up a new lock. If you choose to set up a new lock, you will need to enter the PIN or password to unlock your phone. Then you will be given some lock options to choose from. You can choose Fingerprint + Pattern, Fingerprint + PIN, Fingerprint + Password, or Continue without fingerprint. Select an option and follow the prompts to set a new PIN, password, or pattern for your lock space. Follow the prompts to set up a new PIN, password, or pattern as well as add new fingerprint data. Then tap Done.
- If you choose to continue without a fingerprint, you will be given the option to set up a PIN, password, or pattern you can use to unlock your private space.
To unlock your private space, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Apps menu. Then tap the lock icon next to Private space at the bottom of the screen. Then use your fingerprint, PIN, password, or pattern to authenticate your identity.
10
Install apps in the private space. To install an app in the private space, tap + Install in the private space. This will open the Google Play Store. You can search for apps to install in your private space directly from the Google Play Store.
- Alternatively, you can open your Apps menu and tap and hold an app. Then tap Install in private space.
To do so, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Apps menu. Then tap and hold the app. Tap Uninstall.
12
Lock your private space. To lock your private space, tap Lock in your private space.
- Alternatively, you can open the Settings menu and go to Security & Privacy > Private space > Lock private space automatically. You can set the private space to lock automatically when your device locks, 5 minutes after screen timeout, or only after you restart your device.

Method 3

Method 3 of 8:

Using Secure Folder (Samsung Galaxy)

Download Article

1
Enable the secure folder. If you have a Samsung Galaxy, you can enable the secure folder, which is a password-protected space you can use to transfer files and install apps. Use the following steps to enable the secure folder:^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Tap the Gear icon in the upper-right corner to open the Settings menu.
- Tap Security and privacy.
- Tap More security settings.
- Tap Secure Folder.
- Sign into your Samsung account or create one.
- Tap Continue or Agree.
- Tap Done.
2
Select a lock type and follow the prompts. Once you enable secure folder, you will need to select a lock type. You can select PIN, Password, or Pattern. Select a lock type and follow the prompts to create the lock type. Then tap Done.
- If you want to use your fingerprint, tap the toggle switch next to “Fingerprints” below the lock options.
To do so, tap the Secure Folder icon on your Home screen. Then enter the password, PIN, or use your fingerprint to unlock the Secure folder.
It’s in the upper-right corner of the Secure Folder above the list of apps. This displays a list of apps you have installed on your phone or tablet.
5
Select an app. To do so, tap the circle next to the app(s) you want to add to the secure folder. Then tap Add. This will install a duplicate copy of the app in the Secure Folder.
- Alternatively, you can Download from Google Play Store or Download from Galaxy Store and download apps directly to the Secure Folder.
To do so, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Apps menu. Then tap and hold the app. Tap Uninstall.
To access the hidden app, tap the Secure Folder icon on your Home screen. Enter the password, PIN, pattern, or use your fingerprint to unlock the secure folder. Tap the app to launch it from within the Secure Folder.

Method 4

Method 4 of 8:

Using App Hiders

Download Article

1
Download and install an app hider. According to Paris, there are lots of apps in the Google Play Store you can use to hide apps on your Android smartphone or tablet.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Henry Paris
Electronic Repair Expert

Expert Interview} A lot of these apps disguise themselves as a calculator app. Open the Google Play Store and search “Hide apps.” Tap a trusted app with good reviews. Then tap Install to install the app.
- Apps you can use include Calculator Vault, Calculator - Hide Apps, Photos, and App Hider.
Each app is going to be a little different. Once you finish downloading the app, you can tap it on your Apps menu to open it, or tap Open in the Google Play Store.
Most apps are going to have some terms of service and a privacy policy that you must agree to. Tap Agree & Continue to proceed.
Once you open the app, it will likely ask permission to access your files. To do so, either tap Allow or tap the option to open the Settings menu and then tap the toggle switch next to Allow permission.
5
Set up a PIN or password. You will also need to create a password or PIN to access the hidden apps within the app hider. Follow the prompts to create a password or PIN.
- Some apps may allow you to use your fingerprint. If so, tap the option to use the fingerprint registered to your phone or tablet. Make sure no one else’s fingerprints are registered on your device.
On most apps, there will likely be a plus (+) icon you can tap to add files and apps. Tap this icon and then tap the apps you want to hide.
To access your hidden apps, open the app hider app. It will look and function like a calculator at first. Enter your PIN into the calculator to unlock it and access your hidden apps.

Method 5

Method 5 of 8:

Using Nova Launcher

Download Article

1
Install Nova Launcher on your Android. Android launchers allow you to customize your interface. Many have the option to hide apps. You can get this popular and well-reviewed launcher from the Play Store.
- Many other launchers support hiding apps, including Apex Launcher and Evie Launcher.The steps will be similar to Nova Launcher but not identical.
- The option to hide apps is only available with Nova Launcher Prime, which costs $3.99 in the Google Play Store.
Tap the Nova Launcher icon in your Apps menu to open the launcher. If it’s your first time using the launcher, you may need to go through an initial setup process. Follow the prompts to complete the process.
A menu will appear.
4
Tap Settings. This opens the Nova Settings menu.
- You can also get here by tapping the Nova Settings icon in the app drawer.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
It's near the top of the menu.
It's under the "Apps" header.^{[5]
X
Research source}
7
Select the apps you want to hide. Tapping an app places a checkmark beside it, which means the app is selected. This automatically hides the app from your home screen and app drawer.
- To restore hidden apps, return to this screen and un-check the items.

Method 6

Method 6 of 8:

Disabling Apps

Download Article

1
Open your Android's Settings
. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen, and then tap the Gear/Settings icon in the upper-right corner.
- This method should work on most Android phones and tablets, although the names of menus and options may vary.
- Not all pre-installed apps can be disabled, so this might not work for everyone.
The name of this option varies by model.
3
Select the option to show all apps. You may see a menu or tab at the top of the screen that lets you filter the apps in the list. If so, choose the option that lets you view all apps installed on the phone (including system apps).
- If you're using a Samsung Galaxy, tap the All drop-down menu and select Enabled. Then, tap the three-dot menu at the top-right menu and select Show system apps.
- If you have a Google Pixel, tap See all apps.
This displays some information about the app.^{[6]
X
Research source}
5
Tap Disable. If you don't see this option, you may have to tap Force Stop first. It's also possible it's hiding in a sub-section called Storage. If there's no hint of a "Disable" button, the selected app cannot be disabled.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Sometimes you'll be prompted to replace the app with the factory version when you try to disable it. You can select this option, but it will mean that the app will still show up in the app tray.
- Disabling an app also prevents the app from receiving updates from the Play Store.
- You can find your disabled apps in the "Disabled" section of the Apps menu.

Method 7

Method 7 of 8:

Hiding Apps on a OnePlus

Download Article

To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen. Then tap the Gear/Settings icon in the upper-right corner.
You may need to scroll down a bit to find it.
3
Tap Hide apps. It’s towards the bottom of the menu.
- You may be prompted to enter your phone’s password or PIN or your privacy password to access this option.
4
Select an access method. You can access your hidden apps via a dialpad code or an icon on your home screen. Tap the option you want to use.
- If you choose a home screen icon, an icon will be placed on your home screen. This will be password-protected.
- If you choose to use the dial pad, you will need to create a dial code you can enter in the dial pad to access your hidden apps.
If you are creating a home screen icon, you will be asked to enter a PIN number. Enter the PIN number and confirm it. If you are using the dial pad, you will need to enter a 4-digit number in between two hashes (i.e., “#1234#”).
It’s the blue button at the bottom of the screen.
7
Tap the toggle switch next to the apps you want to hide. This adds the apps to your list of hidden apps.
- Tap the Hidden tab at the top to view your hidden apps.
8
Access your hidden apps. Use one of the following methods to access your hidden apps.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Home screen icon: Tap the hidden home screen icon. Then enter your password or PIN to access your hidden apps.
- Phone dialer code: Open the Phone app and tap the dialer icon. Enter the dialer code you created and place the call.

Method 8

Method 8 of 8:

Hiding Apps on Huawei

Download Article

1
Open your Android's Settings
. It's the gear icon in your app drawer. This is where you'll set up Private Space, which is a separate area on your phone for hidden apps and files.
- PrivateSpace is like a second private user account that you can switch to from the lock screen. Once you're signed in to PrivateSpace, you can download apps just as you would normally—except if you install them in PrivateSpace, they'll be hidden from your main app drawer.
- If the app you want to hide is already installed, you'll have to uninstall it before you can install it in PrivateSpace.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
Additional settings will appear.
If PrivateSpace is not enabled, you'll be prompted to enable it now.
4
Tap Enable and follow the on-screen instructions. This process will walk you through creating your PrivateSpace. You'll be prompted to create a separate password, PIN, pattern, or biometric that will be used to enter PrivateSpace from the lock screen.
- Once PrivateSpace is set up, the regular way of using your Android will be called MainSpace.
5
Enter your PrivateSpace. Once PrivateSpace is on, you can enter it from the lock screen by entering the password or pattern you created during the setup process. Another way to get there is to head to Settings > Privacy > PrivateSpace and tap Log in.
- To get back to MainSpace at any time, just lock your Android so you can get to the lock screen, then use your regular (not PrivateSpace) PIN, pattern, or biometric to sign in.
Think of PrivateSpace like a second user account—you can use the Google Play Store just as you would in MainSpace to download apps. Apps you download in PrivateSpace are only visible in PrivateSpace, thus hidden from your main app drawer.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Does Samsung Galaxy have the option to hide apps?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Some have it pre-installed, like the S6. For others, you can download the apex launcher and get it for free.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 41 Helpful 86
Question

Where can I see my hidden apps?

Elite Deity

Community Answer

Hit the Google search bar, type in the name of the app and search. It'll allow you to open the app.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 44 Helpful 69
Question

What happens if I uninstall Apex Launcher?

Community Answer

If you uninstall Apex Launcher, your hidden apps will no longer be hidden.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 35 Helpful 59