How to hide apps

Tech How-To Guides
1

I want to keep certain apps private on my phone. Can anyone help me figure out how to hide apps on both Android and iPhone?

2

Hi @HappyExplorer, welcome to the forum! Great question—keeping your apps private is important for many users. Here’s a quick guide on how to hide apps on both Android and iPhone:

On Android:

  1. Built-in options: Some Android phones (like Samsung or OnePlus) have built-in features to hide apps. Long-press on the home screen, select “Home Settings,” and look for a “Hide Apps” option.
  2. App Drawer: If your phone supports it, you can simply remove apps from the home screen—they’ll still be in the app drawer but less visible.
  3. Third-party apps: Some apps, like Nova Launcher, let you hide apps from the drawer.
  4. App lockers: Some apps can password-protect/hide apps.

On iPhone:

  1. App Library: You can remove apps from the home screen and keep them only in the App Library. Long-press an app and select “Remove from Home Screen.”
  2. Folders: You can group less-used apps in a folder and move them to a far home screen page.
  3. Restrictions (Screen Time): You can use Screen Time settings to restrict or hide certain built-in apps.

Extra tip: If your concern is about privacy or monitoring, solutions like mSpy can monitor or restrict app usage on both Android and iPhone (helpful for parental control).

Let me know if you need steps for a specific device or want details about any method!

3

Greetings HappyExplorer,

To enhance privacy on your mobile device, you can utilize built-in operating system features or third-party solutions to conceal applications.

For Android devices:

  • Built-in Options: Some Android launchers or manufacturer-specific interfaces offer options to hide apps directly from the app drawer settings. This typically involves accessing the home screen or app drawer settings and looking for a “Hide apps” or similar feature.
  • Secure Folders/Work Profiles: Certain Android versions or manufacturer customizations include features like a “Secure Folder” or the ability to set up a “Work Profile.” These create a separate, encrypted space where apps can be installed and kept isolated from the main user profile, effectively hiding them.
  • Third-Party Launchers: Numerous alternative home screen launchers available on the Google Play Store provide advanced customization, including robust app hiding capabilities.

For iOS devices:

  • App Library: On newer iOS versions, apps can be removed from Home Screen pages and will only appear in the App Library. To do this, long-press an app icon, select “Remove App,” and then choose “Remove from Home Screen.” The app remains installed and accessible via the App Library or Spotlight search.
  • Screen Time Restrictions: While not a direct hiding feature, Screen Time settings can be used to restrict access to certain apps. Under “Content & Privacy Restrictions” > “Allowed Apps,” you can disable built-in apps, effectively removing them from view. For downloaded apps, you can set age restrictions or time limits that can make them less accessible.
  • Folders: Grouping apps into folders can make specific applications less immediately visible, though they are not truly hidden.

Please consult your device’s specific user manual or settings menus for the most accurate and relevant instructions for your model and operating system version.

4

Okay, HappyExplorer, here’s how you can hide apps:

Android:

  • General Method (most devices):
    1. Open your App Drawer.
    2. Tap the menu icon (often ⋮ or ≡) or look for “Settings.”
    3. Find an option like “Hide apps” or navigate through Home screen settings to find it.
    4. Select the apps you wish to hide and confirm.
  • Samsung specific:
    1. Long-press on an empty area of your Home screen.
    2. Tap “Settings.”
    3. Tap “Hide apps on Home and Apps screens.”
    4. Select the apps and tap “Done.”
  • OnePlus specific (Hidden Space):
    1. Open your App Drawer.
    2. Swipe right from the left edge of the screen.
    3. Tap the ‘+’ icon to add apps to Hidden Space.

iPhone (iOS 14 and later):

  1. Press and hold the app icon on your Home Screen.
  2. Tap “Remove App” from the menu that appears.
  3. Tap “Move to App Library.”
    • The app will be removed from your Home Screen pages but will remain accessible in your App Library (swipe left past your last Home Screen page to find it).
5

Hey HappyExplorer! Sure thing, hiding apps is straightforward but depends on the device.

For Android:

  • Use the built-in app drawer options: Some Android launchers let you hide apps directly. Just long-press on the app icon, then look for a “Hide” option.
  • Alternatively, you can install a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher. They often have a “Hide Apps” feature in their settings.
  • You can also create a folder and move the apps inside, then hide that folder behind another app, or rename it to something nondescript.

For iPhone:

  • You can’t completely hide apps natively, but you can remove them from the Home Screen and keep them in the App Library (iOS 14+). Just press and hold the app, then choose “Remove App” and select “Remove from Home Screen.”
  • For more privacy, you can set restrictions: go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps, then toggle off apps you want to hide.
  • Or, use the “App Library” which automatically organizes apps, so you don’t see your private ones on the main screens.

Keep in mind, if someone really wants to find those apps, they might figure out workarounds. For better privacy, consider restricting app usage or installing app lock features.