Last updated: November 2026
Quick Answer: How Do You Hide Apps on Android?
To hide apps on Android, use your phone’s built-in option. On Android 15 or later, open Settings > Security & privacy > Private space and set it up. On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Home screen > Hide apps on Home and Apps screens. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, use Hidden apps inside App lock. On OnePlus, swipe right in the app drawer to open Hidden Space. Menu names vary a little by brand and Android version.
Key Takeaways
- Hiding an app removes its icon from the home screen and app drawer. It does not uninstall the app or delete its data.
- Private Space (Android 15 and later) is the strongest built-in method because it adds a separate lock and stops the apps from running while locked.
- Samsung offers two options: a simple Hide apps setting and the more private Secure Folder.
- Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, OnePlus and Nothing phones have an app-hiding feature in the launcher or settings.
- Phones without a native option can use a third-party launcher such as Lawnchair, Niagara or Nova Launcher.
- A simply hidden app can still appear in Settings > Apps or the Play Store, so pair hiding with a strong screen lock.
What Does “Hide Apps on Android” Mean?
Hiding apps on Android means removing an app’s icon from places where other people would normally see it, such as the home screen and the app drawer, while the app stays installed. Some methods only hide the icon. Stronger methods, such as Android’s Private Space or Samsung’s Secure Folder, put the app in a separate, locked area that needs your PIN, pattern, password or fingerprint to open.
People hide apps for everyday privacy reasons: banking and wallet apps, notes, photo vaults, dating apps, health trackers, work apps or a surprise gift they are planning. It is also a handy way to tidy a crowded home screen.
Hide, Lock, Disable or Uninstall: What Is the Difference?
| Action | What it does | App still installed? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide | Removes the icon from the home screen and app drawer | Yes | Keeping an app out of sight |
| Private Space / Secure Folder | Puts the app behind a separate lock | Yes | Sensitive apps and their data |
| App lock | Asks for a PIN or fingerprint to open the app | Yes | Stopping someone from opening an app they can see |
| Disable | Turns off a built-in app and removes its icon | Yes (turned off) | Bloatware you cannot uninstall |
| Uninstall | Removes the app and usually its data | No | Apps you no longer need |
Method 1: Use Private Space (Android 15 and Later)
Private Space is Google’s built-in answer to hidden apps. According to Google’s help page, it is a separate space on your Android device where you can hide and organize sensitive apps. It can use its own lock, and when it is locked the space collapses and its apps are hidden in All Apps and other parts of the system. It requires Android 15 or higher and supporting hardware.
How to set up Private Space
- Open Settings and tap Security & privacy (on some phones, search for “Private space”).
- Tap Private space and follow the setup. You may need to confirm your screen lock first.
- Choose to use your current screen lock or set a separate lock just for the space. A separate lock is better if other people know your phone’s PIN.
- Decide whether to sign in with a Google account. Google recommends a separate account so the space has its own data.
- Tap the Private section at the bottom of your app drawer and install or move apps into it.
How to hide Private Space itself
By default, a Private container shows at the bottom of All Apps. To hide even that, open Settings > Security & privacy > Private space, tap the settings icon, then under Hide turn on Hide private space when it’s locked. Google notes this takes effect the next time you lock the space. To open it again, search “Private space” in the app drawer search bar or use the Private space Quick Settings tile if you added one.
What makes Private Space stronger than simple hiding?
- When the space is locked, its apps are stopped and cannot show notifications.
- Its apps stay out of the app drawer, recent apps and notifications until you unlock it.
- Usage information is hidden while the space is locked.
- Screenshots, downloads and files created in the space are kept inside it, so they are not exposed in your main Photos or Files app while it is locked.
Google also lists a few situations where the existence of the space can still be detected, so it is privacy protection, not magic. You can read the official steps in Google’s guide to hiding sensitive apps with private space.
Method 2: Hide Apps on Samsung Galaxy Phones
Searches for how to hide apps on Samsung are common because One UI gives you two good options.
Option A: Hide apps on the Home and Apps screens
- Touch and hold an empty spot on your Home screen, then tap Settings. (You can also open Settings > Home screen.)
- Tap Hide apps on Home and Apps screens.
- Tap the apps you want to hide. A red minus icon appears on them.
- Tap Done.
To bring an app back, return to the same screen, tap the red minus icon on the app and tap Done. Samsung’s own page, Access and organize the apps on your Galaxy phone, shows the same steps. This option hides the icon only. The app is still installed and still shows in Settings > Apps.
Option B: Use Secure Folder for stronger privacy
- Open Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder.
- Sign in with your Samsung account and choose a lock type (PIN, pattern, password or biometrics).
- Open Secure Folder from your Apps screen and tap Add apps to move or install apps into it.
- To hide the Secure Folder icon too, remove it from the Apps screen in its settings or use the Hide Secure Folder option.
Secure Folder relies on Samsung Knox, so it will not appear on unsupported models. With One UI 8, Samsung added a quick hide tile for Secure Folder, an option to hide the original app icon outside the folder, and a fix that reclassified Secure Folder as a private profile so system apps hide its contents better. If you want the full comparison, Android Authority explains Private Space vs. Secure Folder.
Method 3: Hide Apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO
- Open Settings and search for Hidden apps, or go to Settings > Apps > App lock and tap Hidden apps. On some versions, open the Security app and tap Hide apps.
- Set an App lock password if you are asked.
- Turn on the toggle next to each app you want to hide.
To open your hidden apps, spread two fingers apart on the home screen and enter your App lock password or fingerprint. The gesture can be changed from the cogwheel icon in Hidden apps. Xiaomi explains the same flow in its hide apps support article. If your phone runs a newer HyperOS version with a “Privacy protection” screen, it may offer a separate passcode for hidden apps.
Method 4: Hide Apps on OnePlus, Oppo and Realme
On OnePlus, open the app drawer and swipe right (a firm, slightly held swipe) to open Hidden Space. Turn on the toggle for an app, set a privacy password and security question when asked, then enable the apps you want to hide. You can change the password later from the cogwheel icon. Oppo and Realme (ColorOS) use a similar privacy approach, but the exact menu changes between versions, so search “Hide apps” or “Privacy” in Settings.
Method 5: Hide Apps on Nothing Phone and Pixel Launcher Alternatives
- Nothing Phone: Long-press the home screen, tap Home settings > Hide app icons, then tap the pencil icon to choose apps. There is no passcode for the hidden list, so combine it with an app locker.
- Google Pixel on Android 14 or older: The stock Pixel Launcher has no simple “hide” setting. Update to Android 15 or later for Private Space, or use a third-party launcher.
Method 6: Use a Third-Party Launcher (Works on Almost Any Android)
If your phone has no built-in option, a custom launcher can hide icons from the app drawer.
- Lawnchair: Long-press the home screen > Home settings > App drawer > Hidden apps, then tick the apps.
- Nova Launcher: Open Nova Settings > App & widget drawers > Hide apps (this feature is part of the paid Prime version).
- Niagara Launcher: Lets you hide apps and find them again by searching.
Launchers only hide the icon. Anyone can still open the app from the Play Store or Settings, so use an app lock for real protection. For ideas on safe apps to try, see our list of useful Android apps.
How to Find Hidden Apps on Android
If you hid an app and forgot how to open it, or you want to check what is on a phone you own, try these places:
- Settings > Apps > See all apps. This list shows installed apps even when their icons are hidden.
- App drawer search. Type the app’s name in the search bar at the top or bottom of the drawer.
- Play Store > profile icon > Manage apps & device > Manage. Installed apps show here, with an Open button.
- Private Space: Scroll to the bottom of the app drawer, tap the Private section and unlock it, or search “Private space”.
- Samsung: Check Settings > Home screen > Hide apps on Home and Apps screens, and open Secure Folder from the Apps screen or Quick Panel.
- Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO: Spread two fingers on the home screen, or open Settings > Apps > App lock > Hidden apps.
- OnePlus: Swipe right in the app drawer to open Hidden Space.
How to Unhide Apps on Android
To unhide an app, reverse the method you used. Open the same hide-apps screen (Samsung Hide apps, Xiaomi Hidden apps, OnePlus Hidden Space, Nothing Hide app icons or your launcher’s Hidden apps list) and turn the app off or tap the minus icon. For Private Space, unlock the space, touch and hold the app and move it out, or uninstall it from the space. If Private Space was set up with its own Google account, copying data between spaces may need extra steps, so check Google’s help page first.
Are Hidden Apps Really Hidden?
It depends on the method. A simply hidden icon can still show up in several places:
- Settings > Apps and storage or battery usage lists.
- The Google Play Store under Manage apps & device.
- Notifications from the app on the lock screen or notification shade.
- Recent apps if the app was just used.
To reduce these leaks:
- Use Private Space or Secure Folder instead of only hiding the icon.
- Turn off notifications for sensitive apps or hide sensitive content on the lock screen (Settings > Notifications).
- Set a long, unique screen lock. Our guide to creating a strong password explains what makes a good one, and our account privacy settings guide covers more ways to protect each account.
- Do not share your PIN, pattern or fingerprint access with people you do not trust.
How to Hide Apps on Android Without Installing Another App
You do not need a “calculator vault” or app-hider app on most phones. The built-in options above are safer because they come from Google or your phone maker and do not ask for extra permissions. Fake vault apps from unknown developers can collect data or show ads. If you do need a third-party tool, install it only from the Google Play Store, read recent reviews and check the permissions. Our tech troubleshooting guide and free Android VPN comparison show the same safe-install habits.
What If You Find an App You Did Not Install?
If you discover an unfamiliar hidden app on your own phone, treat it as a warning sign. Open Settings > Apps, check the app’s name and permissions, and uninstall it if you do not recognize it. Run a scan in Google Play Protect (Play Store > profile icon > Play Protect > Scan), review Device admin apps in Settings > Security, and change your Google account password. If you suspect stalkerware, use a safe device to look for help before removing it, because removal may alert the person who installed it.
Hiding Apps on a Child’s Phone or a Shared Phone
Parents who want to limit what a child sees should use parental controls rather than hiding apps, because hidden apps are easy to find. Google Family Link lets you approve apps, set screen-time limits and block apps on a child’s account. Hiding apps on someone else’s phone without their knowledge to spy on them is a privacy violation and may be illegal where you live. This guide is for protecting your own privacy on your own device.
Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Hide Apps on My Android?
- The option is missing. Your launcher or Android skin may not include one. Update your phone, check your brand’s method above, or use a third-party launcher.
- Private Space is not in Settings. Your phone needs Android 15 or later and manufacturer support. Search “Private space” in Settings, and check for updates.
- The app still appears in a list. Hidden apps can show in Settings > Apps or the Play Store. Move the app into Private Space or Secure Folder instead.
- You forgot the hidden-apps password. Use the security question or your phone maker’s reset option. On Private Space, the space follows your screen lock or the separate lock you set.
- The launcher reset after an update. Re-check your hidden list after a major Android or launcher update.
- Notifications keep appearing. Turn off that app’s notifications or hide sensitive content on the lock screen.
For other everyday phone issues, our guide on how to clear cache on Android and our collection of Android phone tips can help.
Best Method by Phone Brand
| Phone | Easiest method | Strongest method |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel (Android 15+) | Private space | Private space with a separate lock |
| Samsung Galaxy | Hide apps on Home and Apps screens | Secure Folder |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Hidden apps (two-finger spread) | Hidden apps with App lock |
| OnePlus | Hidden Space in the app drawer | Hidden Space with privacy password |
| Nothing Phone | Hide app icons | Hide icons plus an app locker |
| Any other Android | Third-party launcher | Launcher plus app lock |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hide apps on Android?
Use your phone’s built-in feature: Private space on Android 15 or later, Hide apps on Home and Apps screens or Secure Folder on Samsung, Hidden apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, Hidden Space on OnePlus, or a third-party launcher if your phone has no option.
How do I hide apps on Samsung?
Touch and hold an empty Home screen spot, tap Settings, choose Hide apps on Home and Apps screens, select the apps and tap Done. For stronger privacy, use Secure Folder in Settings > Security and privacy.
How do I hide apps on Android without an app?
Use the built-in tools: Private space, Samsung Hide apps or Secure Folder, Xiaomi Hidden apps, OnePlus Hidden Space or Nothing’s Hide app icons. You do not need to install a separate app hider.
What is Private Space on Android?
Private space is an Android 15 feature that creates a separate, lockable area for sensitive apps. When locked, its apps are hidden from the app drawer and cannot send notifications.
Which Android versions support Private Space?
Android 15 and later, including Android 16, on phones with supporting hardware and manufacturer support. Some phones may not offer it.
How do I find hidden apps on Android?
Check Settings > Apps > See all apps, search in the app drawer, look in the Play Store under Manage apps & device, and open Private space, Secure Folder or your brand’s hidden-apps screen.
How do I unhide apps on Android?
Open the same screen you used to hide them and turn the app off or tap the minus icon. For Private space, unlock it and move the app out or reinstall it in your main space.
Does hiding an app delete it?
No. Hiding only removes the icon from view. The app stays installed, keeps its data and may still run in the background unless you use Private space, which stops apps when locked.
Do hidden apps still receive notifications?
With simple icon hiding, yes, unless you turn notifications off. Apps inside a locked Private space are stopped and cannot show notifications.
Can someone see hidden apps in Settings?
Yes, if you only hid the icon. Hidden apps still appear in Settings > Apps. Private space and Secure Folder (especially One UI 8) are designed to keep their apps out of those views while locked.
Is Secure Folder the same as Private Space?
No. Secure Folder is Samsung’s Knox-based feature, while Private space is Google’s Android 15 feature. Both create a locked area for apps, and Private space can be linked to its own Google account.
Can I hide apps on Android with a password?
Yes. Private space and Secure Folder use their own lock, Xiaomi and OnePlus use a privacy password, and you can add an app lock to protect any app.
How do I hide apps from the Play Store or app drawer search?
Move the app into Private space or Secure Folder. Simple hiding may still let the app appear in search or the Play Store, so a locked space is more reliable.
Can I hide system apps like Chrome or Photos?
Often yes, using Hide apps, Hidden apps or a launcher. Some built-in apps can only be disabled from Settings > Apps > the app > Disable.
Is it safe to use an app-hider or calculator-vault app?
Be careful. Many are ad-heavy or request unnecessary permissions. Prefer built-in features, and install third-party tools only from the Play Store after checking reviews and permissions.
How do I hide apps from my kids or parents?
Use a locked space such as Private space or Secure Folder, and a strong screen lock. For children’s devices, use Google Family Link instead of hiding apps.
Why are my apps hidden by themselves?
You or someone else may have turned on a hide setting, a launcher update may have changed your layout, or a work or school profile may be managing the device. Check your hidden-apps list and Settings > Apps.
Can I hide WhatsApp or banking apps?
Yes, using any method above. Also review in-app protections; see our WhatsApp privacy settings guide for ways to lock and protect your chats.
What is the best way to hide apps on Android in 2026?
Private space on Android 15 or later is the best built-in way, and Secure Folder is the best option on supported Samsung phones. Both are stronger than simply hiding an icon.
Conclusion
Learning how to hide apps on Android takes only a minute. Start with your phone’s built-in method: Private space on Android 15 and later, Hide apps or Secure Folder on Samsung, Hidden apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, or Hidden Space on OnePlus. Remember that hiding an icon is not the same as locking an app, so use a separate lock and a strong screen PIN for anything sensitive, and turn off its notifications. If you want to keep improving your phone’s privacy, explore our technology tutorials, and read Android Authority’s overview of Private Space in Android 15 for the latest details.
