How to Hide Apps in Android without Third-Party Software

If you prefer not to rely on additional software, you can still hide apps on your Android smartphone using simple built-in options.

Whether you want to hide apps from other device users or organize your home screen better, these tips will help you take control of app visibility.

4 Ways to Hide Apps on Android

There are a few built-in ways to hide apps on your Android device without installing extra apps. Each method provides a different level of security and access control.

Tip #1: Internal Settings to Hide Apps on Android

To hide apps on Android without using additional software, you can utilize your device settings. This method allows you to conceal apps from your home screen and app drawer while keeping them installed. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Press and hold your finger on an empty space on your home screen to activate the menu options.
2. From the menu that appears, tap on “Settings” to open your device settings.
3. In the settings menu, locate and select “Apps & notifications.” You can either scroll down the options or use the search icon to find it by typing “Apps.”
4. Once in the “Apps & notifications” section, tap on “App info” or “See all apps.” This will provide a complete list of all the apps installed on your device.
5. Scroll through the list to find the app you want to hide and tap on its name.
6. Look for an option called “Visibility” or “Hide icon” on the app settings page. Toggle the switch next to it to the “Hidden” position.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for any other apps you wish to hide.
8. Once you have set all the desired apps to hide, press the back button to return to your home screens. The selected apps will now be removed from view.
9. To unhide an app in the future, simply follow the same steps, but toggle the visibility switch back to “Unhidden.”

By following these steps, you can easily hide apps on your Android device using the built-in settings.

Tip #2: Hide Apps in the App Drawer

Another simple method to hide apps on Android is by removing them from your app drawer, which is the menu that displays all your installed apps. This action doesn’t delete the apps, but it removes them from plain sight, preventing others from seeing or accessing them from the app drawer. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the app drawer by swiping up on your home screen or tapping the app drawer icon, typically represented as a grid of squares.
2. Locate the app you want to hide and long-press on its icon until your phone vibrates. This action will activate the “edit” mode for the app icon.
3. Look for the remove icon, usually represented by three horizontal lines. Tap on it to remove the app icon from your app drawer without uninstalling the app itself.
4. The app is now hidden from the app drawer but remains installed on your phone. To access it again, you will need to search for it or find its shortcut on your home screen if you have placed one there.

By following these steps, you can easily hide apps from the app drawer on your Android device, ensuring they are not visible to others while still keeping them installed on your phone.

Top #3: Using Folders to Organize Hidden Apps

If you prefer to keep apps accessible on your home screen but hidden within folders, Android offers a folder feature that allows you to achieve this. By using folders, you can keep your home screen organized while ensuring that the hidden apps are just a folder tap away. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Long-press on an empty space on your home screen to activate the menu options.
2. From the menu, select “Folder” to add a new folder to your home screen.
3. Open the newly created folder.
4. Long-press on each app icon you want to hide and drag it onto the folder to place it inside.
5. To make the folder inconspicuous and avoid drawing attention to the hidden apps, consider renaming it to something like “Utilities” or another app category.
6. Continue placing apps into folders until all the desired apps are organized. Their icons will now be hidden from plain view on your home screen, accessible only by opening the respective folders.

By following these steps, you can utilize Android’s folder feature to keep your home screen clean and organized while hiding apps within folders. This allows for easy access to the hidden apps without them being visible at first glance.

Tip #4: Disable Apps

Although this method is only a temporary solution, disabling apps quickly allows for their instant removal from the view without deleting or relocating them. It can buy you some time to establish a more comprehensive hiding method later, all while ensuring that the apps are not accidentally launched. Other users will not stumble upon the disabled apps unless they explicitly check the encryption settings menu.

This lightweight command offers an advantage over complete uninstallation by avoiding potential delays or data loss. Additionally, you retain the flexibility to enable the apps again promptly whenever needed. For situations where you temporarily share your device or require extra security, the fast disabling feature allows you to keep selected apps out of sight with a simple tap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can apps be deleted entirely after hiding them?

1. Yes, even after hiding apps using the above methods, you can fully uninstall apps from Settings > Apps > App name > Uninstall. This permanently deletes the app and its data from the device.

Q. Will hiding apps affect performance or storage usage?

1. No, hiding apps only removes them from home screens and app menus. The apps remain installed without changing performance, storage usage, or functionality.

Q. How do you hide the secure folder itself?

1. You cannot directly hide the secure folder app icon. But it can be moved to an app folder or the last home screen page to avoid accidental discovery.

Q. Will hiding system apps cause issues?

1. You cannot fully disable most pre-installed system apps. It is best to avoid hiding crucial system apps to prevent unexpected problems. Stick to hiding third-party or unnecessary apps instead.

Conclusion

In today’s digital landscape, maintaining control over the visibility of apps has become increasingly important for personal security, organizational purposes, and selective access by other users.

Fortunately, Android offers simple built-in options as mentioned above, allowing you to hide apps on Android devices without the need for additional software downloads. Choose the method that best aligns with your privacy requirements, whether it’s a temporary solution or a long-term strategy. By utilizing these options, you can effectively maintain the privacy of your apps and take charge of your device’s app visibility.