If you are an Android phone owner, you might just be holding on to this OS because you genuinely like the system. That is true for most Android users since they are loyalists and mostly do not like comparing it to the OS of say, Apple! One clumsy feature of Android that even the most loyal of loyalists cannot deny is that it doesn’t offer much to do when it comes to hide apps on Android. How do you hide apps on Android then?
And yes, if you ask why would someone want to hide apps on Android, there could be a long list of answers coming your way. The first being, overactive kids who access everything and anything on your phone, privacy concerns and so much more.
The good news is that you can hide apps on Android depending on what type and model of Android phone you use. And the lesser good news is that every model has a different process. No one formula suits all bit here!
The best news though is that, while some phones do not support app hiding, you still can hide apps on Android using a third party application. Check out the answers for how to hide apps on Android. That is, if you do not want to permanently delete or uninstall an app from your phone.
Pro Pointer- A pointer to note here is that an app you hide will be searchable manually but will be hidden from plain sight.
LG/Samsung Phones
- For either of these brands, long tap on any space of the home screen. Access Settings from right corner at the bottom.
- Scroll the menu till you find Hide Apps. Select the relevant apps and click Apply.
Xiaomi Range
All high end and mid budget phones of Xiaomi will allow you to hide apps on Android for their respective models by the following steps-
- Open Security and tap App Lock.
- Select apps relevantly and tick on the same.
One Plus Phones
- Open App Drawer. Open Hidden Space by swiping left to the right on screen.
- Click on + sign on right corner. Select Apps you want to hide on the phone.
Huawei Phones
- Open Settings app.
- Click Privacy & Security.
- Choose PrivateSpace.
- A list appears with instructions. Follow those.
- Continue to download apps you would like to hide.
Hide Apps On Android Using Third Party App
If the above methods are not applicable for the Android phone you own, download an app hiding tool such as Nova Launcher.
- Ensure that you set this as the default launcher for your apps. Do this by accessing App and Widgets Drawer under Settings. Tap Hide Apps under Groups. Check apps you want to hide.
- Another interesting feature Nova offers is “app disguise.” As the name suggests, you can change the app name and icon to not point to what it is for real.
Pro Pointer- Do not confuse the methods on how to hide apps on Android with installing an app lock tool. The latter will ensure privacy and security of an app via a secure pin/pattern. However, this does not hide the app per se.
Of course, you can go back and reverse the Setting to unhide apps on Android as well. That will need you to un-select all the apps that you chose to ensure how to hide apps on Android.
