How to Hide Apps on Android: Quick answer
If you need to hide an app on Android quickly, use your phone’s built-in hide feature or a Secure Folder (Samsung). For Android 15 and Pixel devices, use the Private Space. For stronger privacy, prefer Secure Folder or Private Space over third‑party vaults. This guide walks you through every method step-by-step and explains which option is best for your device.
Why people hide apps (and when not to)
- Privacy: keep banking or dating apps out of sight from prying eyes.
- Parental controls: hide apps you don’t want children accessing.
- Organization: declutter your launcher without uninstalling.
Caveat: hiding an app does not always remove it from Settings or other system lists. For high security, combine hiding with app‑locking and a strong device passcode.
Which hiding method should you choose? (short decision table)
- Quick & easy: built-in hide (low security, high convenience)
- Strong privacy: Secure Folder / Private Space (high security, best for sensitive apps)
- Shared device: Guest mode or separate user
- Developer/control: ADB disable or hide (advanced, technical)
- Not recommended unless necessary: third‑party app‑hiders with excessive permissions
Detailed methods (step-by-step)
1) Built-in hide (launchers & OEM settings)
Many OEM launchers and third‑party launchers include a “Hide apps” option.
Typical steps:
- Long‑press on an empty area of the home screen → Home settings or Home screen settings.
- Tap “Hide apps” or “Hidden apps.”
- Select apps to hide → Confirm.
Notes:
- Stock Pixel launcher historically lacked a direct hide option; third‑party launchers (Nova, Lawnchair) usually support hiding.
- Launcher hide is meant for UI cleanup, not strong privacy—hidden apps can still appear in Settings.
2) Android 15 Private Space (Pixel & Android 15+)
Android 15 introduced Private Space — a separate profile where you can install apps that don’t show up in your main profile.
How to use Private Space (general steps; vendor labels vary):
- Settings → Privacy → Private Space (or search Settings for “Private Space”).
- Create/enable Private Space and set a passcode or biometric.
- Install or move apps into Private Space. They remain isolated from the main profile.
Why use Private Space:
- Apps are sandboxed and separated from the main user profile — much more private than a simple icon hide.
For full setup and behaviour details, see Google’s official guide to Private Space: Hide sensitive apps with private space – Hide sensitive apps with private space — Google Help
3) Samsung Secure Folder
Secure Folder is an encrypted container for apps and files on Samsung devices.
Steps:
- Settings → Security and privacy → Secure Folder.
- Sign in with your Samsung account.
- Create Secure Folder and choose a lock type (PIN/biometric).
- Open Secure Folder → + → Add apps (select apps to move or clone).
Pros:
- Encrypted and isolated; strong privacy.
Cons: - Requires Samsung account; Samsung‑only feature.
4) App cloning & Dual apps (Xiaomi and some OEMs)
Xiaomi and other OEMs offer Dual Apps or App Clone to duplicate an app instance. You can then keep the clone in a separate area or hide it.
Steps (Xiaomi example):
- Settings → Apps → Dual Apps or App Lock.
- Enable Dual Apps for selected apps.
- Use Security app → Hide apps (if present) to hide the original/cloned app.
Note: cloning isn’t true hiding but can separate accounts and reduce visibility.
5) Third‑party app‑hiders & vault apps
Examples: Calculator Vault, App Hider, Vault apps (disguised as calculators).
Security checklist for third‑party app‑hiders:
- Install from Google Play only.
- Check permissions — avoid apps asking for SMS/contacts unnecessarily.
- Verify number of installs, reviews, and last update date.
- Read the privacy policy — prefer local-only storage.
Risks:
- Some vault apps have been flagged for aggressive tracking or adware. Vet carefully if using for sensitive data.
6) Guest mode or separate user accounts
If you share your phone, create a Guest user for temporary access.
Steps:
- Settings → Users & accounts → Users (or search “Users”).
- Tap Add guest or Add user → Switch to Guest when sharing.
Guest profiles give a clean environment without your installed apps and data.
7) Disable apps (use for system bloat)
Disable system apps you cannot uninstall to hide them and stop background activity.
Via Settings:
- Settings → Apps → Select app → Disable.
Via Home screen:
- Long‑press app → App info → Disable (if option available).
Notes:
- Disabling stops background activity but leaves the app visible in Settings → Apps.
- Don’t disable essential system apps (may break functionality).
8) Advanced: ADB (no root) — hide/disable packages (advanced users)
ADB gives granular control without root. For advanced users only.
Example commands (use with caution):
- List packages: adb shell pm list packages
- Disable a package: adb shell pm disable-user –user 0 com.example.app
- Re-enable: adb shell pm enable com.example.app
Warnings:
- Disabling system packages can break your device. Test first and keep recovery instructions.
9) Rooting methods (only if experienced)
Rooted devices allow deeper hiding/removal (Xposed modules, system-level edits). Not recommended for most users — security and warranty tradeoffs.
Device‑specific quick steps (anchor links)
Samsung
- Secure Folder: Settings → Security and privacy → Secure Folder → Add apps.
- Hide apps via Home settings: Home screen → Hide apps → toggle selection.
Pixel & Android 15
- Private Space: Settings → Privacy → Private Space (if available) — create space and add apps.
Xiaomi
- Security app → Hide apps OR Settings → Apps → App Lock / Dual Apps.
OnePlus
- Settings → Utilities → App Locker / Hidden Space.
Oppo / Vivo
- Settings → Security & privacy → Hide apps or App encryption — set privacy password.
Huawei
- App Lock / PrivateSpace (depending on EMUI version).
(Include screenshots for each OEM step when publishing for clarity.)
How to find or unhide apps
- Secure Folder: Open Secure Folder → Enter passcode → Remove apps or move out.
- Launcher hide: Home settings → Hidden apps → Uncheck the app.
- Third‑party vault: Open vault app → Enter PIN → Restore/unhide.
- ADB: Re-enable package: adb shell pm enable
Security & privacy — vetting third‑party app‑hiders
- Avoid apps requesting excessive permissions (SMS, contacts, call logs) for a hide function.
- Prefer apps with local-only storage and clear privacy policies.
- Use OS-level options (Secure Folder / Private Space) when available.
- Combine hiding with app lock and a strong device passcode.
Troubleshooting common issues
Hidden apps still appear in search
Some system search indexes hidden apps — use Secure Folder/Private Space for better isolation.
Notifications from hidden apps
Disable notifications for the app: Settings → Apps → Notifications, or use Secure Folder/Private Space.
Hidden apps reappear after update
OEM updates can reset hidden settings. Re-hide or re-add to Secure Folder after updates.
Quick comparison cheat‑sheet (summary)
- Built-in hide: Easy → Low privacy → Good for organization.
- Secure Folder / Private Space: Best privacy → Requires supported device → Recommended for sensitive apps.
- App‑hider: Medium privacy → Varying risk → Vet carefully.
- Guest mode: Good for sharing → No persistent hiding.
- ADB: Powerful → Technical → Use carefully.
FAQs
Can you hide apps on all Android phones?
Not on every stock launcher, but nearly every OEM either offers a built‑in hide, Secure Folder, Private Space, or you can use a launcher/vault. Pixel behavior depends on Android version.
Is hiding an app secure?
It depends. Launcher hide only removes the icon; Secure Folder and Private Space provide real isolation. Third‑party app hiders vary — vet their permissions and privacy policy.
How do I unhide apps?
Open the same feature used to hide them (Home settings, Secure Folder, vault app) and reverse the action. For ADB-disabled apps, re-enable via adb shell pm enable .
Can hidden apps still send notifications?
Yes. Disable notifications in Settings → Apps → Notifications, or place apps in Secure Folder/Private Space which better isolates notifications.
Are there safe third‑party app hiders?
Yes — but select apps with strong reviews, minimal permissions, and recent updates. Prefer OS-level solutions when possible.
Can I hide apps without rooting my phone?
Yes. Most hiding methods (built-in hide, Secure Folder, Private Space, ADB disable) do not require root.
Will hiding apps delete app data?
No — hiding usually just removes visibility. Uninstalling or disabling may affect app data.
What’s the best method for banking apps?
Use Secure Folder or Private Space + app lock + a strong device passcode. Avoid unreliable third‑party vaults for sensitive apps.
Conclusion & next steps (CTA)
Best overall: Use Secure Folder (Samsung) or Android 15 Private Space (if available). For quick UI cleanup use built‑in hide. Avoid sketchy vault apps unless carefully vetted. Want screenshots for five OEMs, a short demo video script, or the JSON‑LD snippets pre‑filled with your site details? Tell me which OEMs and I’ll generate the assets ready to drop into your CMS.
