How to Hide Apps on Android: Complete Guide and All Updated Methods

Currently, the Android mobile phones They have evolved to become our essential tools for working, communicating, entertaining ourselves, and, above all, storing personal and professional information. However, this versatility brings with it new challenges. Privacy & Security. Our information is more exposed than ever and in many situations we need to make sure that certain applications are protected. out of reach of other people. You want to know how to hide apps on android In the most comprehensive way? This guide will provide you with all the possible techniques, from native options to advanced methods and third-party resources, covering every scenario and manufacturer, integrating all the news, tips and recommendations that you need to protect your privacy.

Why hide apps on your Android phone?

Access to our phones has become commonplace among family, friends, coworkers, and even young children. From lending the device to watch videos to leaving it in someone's hands for a call, in all these moments our privacy may be compromised if we do not take action.

Hiding apps on Android can be useful to protect:

Banking and financial information
Social networks and private chats
Job applications
Games or apps whose progression or settings you don't want others to alter
Photos, videos and personal files
Dating or online shopping apps

Additionally, hiding apps also helps to keep your phone organized and reduce visual clutter, facilitating quick access to what you really use. Finally, if you're a parent or share your phone with minors, hiding certain apps is essential to prevent unauthorized purchases, data deletion, or exposure to inappropriate content.

How App Hiding Works on Android: Methods and Limitations

AndroidUnlike other operating systems, not all versions of Android have a universal native hide function. However, across the various customization layers of major manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, OnePlus, LG, etc.), as well as in the most recent versions of Android, there are Advanced tools and specific solutions to hide, lock and protect applications:

Native system options: “Private Space”, “Guest Mode” or “Secure Folders”.
Customization Layer Features: Each manufacturer may offer unique methods to hide apps from the system launcher or privacy settings.
Third-party launchers: They offer customization and advanced features to hide, mask, lock, or even clone apps.
specialized applicationsFrom vaults/safes to utilities to change the icon and name of an app or completely camouflage it.
Disable system apps: For bloatware or apps that can't be uninstalled but can be removed from view.

Each method has its advantages and limitationsSome remove visibility only on the home screen, others require passwords, and the most advanced apps even camouflage protected apps under fake icons or offer additional biometric locks.

Native Android methods to protect and hide apps

Android increasingly incorporates more privacy-oriented features. It highlights the Private space (or "PrivateSpace") integrated into the latest versions and extended to devices from manufacturers such as Huawei, Samsung, and soon to all mobile phones with new updates.

What is Private Space and how does it work?

El Private space It is an advanced functionality that allows create an isolated environment within the mobile itselfAll apps, files, and settings in the "private space" are separated from the main profile. Anyone who regularly accesses the phone cannot see or run the apps in that space without unlocking it or using the corresponding password.

Advantages of private space:

Apps and their data are completely isolated and hidden from the main space.
It can be set up with an exclusive lock (PIN, pattern, fingerprint, etc.).
Allows you to install apps that are only visible and accessible within the private space.
Different Google accounts can be used for added privacy and to prevent data leaks.
When you lock your private space, notifications and access from your main profile disappear.

Step by step to create and configure your private space on Android:

Opens Settings > Security and privacy
Enter the section Privacy and select Private space
Authenticate with your usual unlock method (PIN, fingerprint, or pattern)
press Setup and choose whether to use your current lock or create a new one for the private space
Optional: You can assign a different Google account for maximum privacy
Configure the rest of the options according to your security level (notifications, auto-lock, hide the login icon, etc.)
To add apps, access the private space from the launcher or from settings and use Install apps o Download from Play Store

Considerations and limitations: Private Space may not be available on some older models, modified devices, or those with more than four user profiles. Your apps and data are not visible on the main screen, and its contents remain invisible unless the private space is unlocked. Once locked, notifications and apps won't appear in searches or multitasking.

Guest mode and user profile creation

Another native option available on many Androids is the management of user profiles:

Create secondary profiles (users or guests) from Settings > System > Multiple Users
Switch to the guest profile when you lend your phone to someone, hiding all your apps.
Each user only sees and installs their own applications and data, not those of the main profile.
Ideal for separating the professional environment from the personal one, or for parents who share their mobile phone with their children.

Note that Some manufacturers may limit or customize this feature, and on Samsung phones guest mode is usually only available on tablets.

How to hide apps on mobile phones according to the manufacturer

Most leading Android brands implement their own solutions for hiding apps. See the specific instructions for each:

Samsung: Hide apps from the home screen and Secure Folder

From the home screen: Long press on an empty area, enter Home screen settings > Hide apps, select the apps and save the settings.
Secure Folder: Advanced feature protected by PIN, pattern or biometrics. Access from Settings > Security & Privacy > Secure Folder and after creating it you can move apps inside it, which will only be accessible after authentication.
La secure folder It also allows you to hide photos, videos and any sensitive files.

Huawei: Private Space and PrivateSpace

Activate Private space from Settings > Security & Privacy > Private Space. It is completely independent and requires a different fingerprint or PIN.
Apps added to PrivateSpace only appear and work within that space. To access it, select the configured fingerprint or change it from Settings.
No files, notifications, or accounts are shared between spaces.

Xiaomi: App Lock and Hidden Apps

Accede to Settings > Applications > App lock.
Activate the feature and select the apps you want to hide or password protect.
You can also create Dual applications to duplicate an app and hide or separate usage data.
Some versions of MIUI (Xiaomi's layer) offer the option to hidden apps in the privacy management of the system.

OnePlus: Hidden Space and App Lock

Open the app drawer and swipe right to enter hidden space.
Tap the “+” icon to add apps that will be hidden and optionally password-locked.
El hidden space can also be protected with a fingerprint.

LG: Hide apps from home settings

Long press on the home screen to access Home screen settings > Hide apps.
Select the ones you want to hide and confirm by tapping Done.

Motorola and other manufacturers

On Motorola models, the option is usually in Settings > Home screenIf not available, use third-party launchers or native Android methods.
The latest Google Pixels now enable Private Space and app hiding using isolated profiles.

Hide apps using launchers on Android

If your device doesn't include native options to hide apps, third-party launchers They offer an effective, secure, and fully customizable solution. In addition to hiding apps, these launchers allow modify icons, names, animations and the general appearance of the system.

Nova Launcher

Considered by many as the best launcher to hide apps On Android, Nova Launcher lets you control the visibility of any installed app. While the hide apps feature is only available in the Prime (paid) version, the customization is so extensive that you can even change the icon and name from the app to completely camouflage it.

Long press on the app, enter Edit and modify name or icon.
Sign in Nova Settings > App Drawer > Hide Apps and select the ones you want to hide.
Hidden apps won't appear in the app drawer, although they can be launched from system settings.

Other popular launchers that allow you to hide apps

ActionLauncher: A very similar process to Nova: long press > Edit > uncheck "Show" in app drawer.
Eve Launcher: Accede to Home screen settings > select Hide apps and mark the apps to hide.
Niagara Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, Apex Launcher: They include specific options to hide or block apps.

Some advanced launchers offer extra features like hiding notifications from hidden apps, camouflaging them under other icons, or even password-protecting access.

Third-party apps to hide and protect apps on Android

Beyond the launchers, there are specialized applications that allow you to hide, lock, camouflage, or even clone sensitive applications. Some of the most recommended are:

App Hider: It allows you to hide any app and disguise itself as a calculator icon. By entering a secret PIN, you access the hidden menu where you can view and launch protected apps.
Calculator Vault: Another "tissue" that works with the same logic, hiding apps inside a fake password-protected calculator.
Vault: It can be used to hide apps, photos, videos, and files. It allows you to password-protect access and is backed up to the cloud.
App Lock: It doesn't hide apps visually, but it protects their launch using a PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or facial recognition.

These apps are ideal for those looking for maximum privacy without depending on system functionsThey are especially useful in older models or mobile phones without integrated private space.

Additional methods: Disable apps, clone apps, and cloak apps

Others Useful methods to hide or restrict access to apps include:

Disable apps (bloatware): On many mobile phones, you cannot uninstall the apps that come from the factory, but you can disable them to hide them in Settings > Apps > select the app > DisableThe app will disappear from the drawer and stop running in the background.
Rename and change the icon: Some launchers allow you to modify the appearance to disguise apps under another name and icon.
Dual applications: Clone an app to separate accounts or data and hide the original or copy as needed.
Private mode and secret folders: Especially useful on Samsung, where you can move files and apps to a secret folder that only appears after authentication.

How to find hidden apps on Android?

If you've hidden apps and need to access them or check if someone has hidden apps on your device, there are several methods:

From Settings > Apps > See all apps: You will see the full list, including hidden ones.
In your launchers, look for the “show hidden apps” option in your settings.
If the private space or secondary user has been used, switch to the profile or unlock it to find the separate apps.
Use apps like AirDroid Parental Control to monitor and list all installed apps, hidden or not.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiding Apps on Android

Can you hide apps on Android without root? Yes, most of the methods described don't require root. Rooting is only necessary to remove certain apps from the system, but not to hide them.
Can I hide apps on stock Android? There's no direct option in pure Android, but you can use launchers or user profiles to achieve this.
Can hidden apps still send notifications? It depends on the method. Not in private space or a secure folder. With launchers or by disabling apps, they might be able to do it unless you block them.
Can I update hidden apps? Yes, from the Play Store or the App Store in your private space, depending on the method used.
Does hiding apps affect performance? No. Even if they are hidden, they are still installed and some may continue to run in the background.
Is it legal to hide apps? Yes, as long as you don't use them for illegal purposes and respect the privacy of others.

Extra privacy and security tips for Android users

Set strong passwords and unique to your device and sensitive apps.
Activate biometric lock (fingerprint, pattern, facial recognition) whenever possible.
Check app permissions regularly to prevent leaks.
Turn off app tracking in settings if not needed.
Use VPNs and secure search engines to browse privately.
Avoid downloading apps from unknown or unofficial sources.

Protecting your apps and privacy on Android is within everyone's reach, regardless of whether your phone is low-end or high-end, old or new. Android offers you advanced native methods such as Private Space, Secure Folder, profiles or guest accounts, up to the possibility of using launchers or specialized applications to hide, lock, or camouflage any sensitive app. With these resources, you can share your phone without worry, keep your data safe, and always control who can access every corner of your phone. Always remember to update your methods as Android and manufacturers advance, and periodically review apps and permissions to maintain maximum security.

How to hide apps on Android step by step

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