This guide teaches you how to hide apps on your Android device, whether from the home screen, app drawer, or by disabling pre-installed applications, providing methods for popular brands and a third-party tool solution.
Follow these detailed steps to hide applications on various Android devices and through different methods.
To hide apps on a Samsung device, start by opening the Settings app, represented by a gear icon in the app drawer. Tap Display, which is the option with a green gear icon, and then tap Home Screen. Scroll down and tap Hide apps, near the bottom of the page. Tap the app icon(s) you want to hide; you can hide multiple icons if you’d like. Finally, tap Done at the bottom of the screen.
For OnePlus users, open the app drawer by swiping up on the home screen, then swipe right to the Hidden Space folder. Tap the plus symbol at the top-right corner, and select the app(s) you want to hide. If desired, enable a password by tapping the three dots at the top-right and selecting Enable Password. Tap the checkmark at the top-right corner to save.
On Huawei devices, open the Settings app and tap Privacy. Additional settings will appear; tap PrivateSpace. If PrivateSpace is not enabled, you’ll be prompted to enable it now. Tap Enable and follow the on-screen instructions to create your PrivateSpace, setting up a separate password, PIN, pattern, or biometric. Enter your PrivateSpace from the lock screen or by going to Settings > Privacy > PrivateSpace and tapping Log in. Download any apps you want to hide from your MainSpace within PrivateSpace, as these apps will only be visible there.
To hide apps on an LG device, first check your home screen settings. If Home screen settings is available, tap and hold a blank area of the home screen, then tap Home screen settings. If not, open the app drawer, tap the menu at the top-right corner, and select Hide apps. Tap Hide apps (if accessed via Home screen settings), select the app(s) you want to hide by tapping their icon, and tap Done. The selected apps are now hidden.
For other Android models, you can use Nova Launcher to hide apps. Install Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store. Tap and hold a blank area on the home screen to open a menu, then tap Settings to access the Nova Settings menu. Tap App drawer near the top of the menu, scroll down, and tap Hide apps under the “Apps” header. Select the apps you want to hide; tapping an app places a checkmark beside it.
Disabling pre-installed apps is another method to effectively hide them. Open the Settings app and tap Apps or Apps & notifications. The name may vary by model. Select the option to show all apps. For Samsung Galaxy, tap the All drop-down menu and select Enabled, then tap the three-dot menu at the top-right and select Show system apps. For Google Pixel, tap See all apps. For other devices, choose the option that lets you view all apps, including system apps. Tap the app you want to hide, and then tap Disable. If you don’t see this option, you may have to tap Force Stop first. Be cautious, as not all pre-installed apps can be disabled.
If you’re looking for an app you’ve hidden, you can usually find it again by using your phone’s search bar in the app drawer or settings.
After successfully hiding or disabling apps, take some time to organize your home screen and app drawer. You can create folders for frequently used apps or rearrange icons to optimize your workflow, making your phone feel more personalized and efficient.
Consider exploring other customization options available on your Android device or through third-party launchers. Many launchers offer extensive features for themes, icon packs, gesture controls, and more, allowing you to tailor your mobile experience even further.
