Table of contents
01Hide apps on any Android phone02Hide apps on manufacturer-specific devices03Hide images and files on any Android phone04Hide files on manufacturer-specific devices
There are plenty of reasons you’d like to hide apps, photos, and other files on your Android device. Maybe you’ve got some pictures you’d prefer your mother doesn’t see when she borrows your phone. Perhaps you have some private documents that contain sensitive personal information. Maybe you have apps that aren’t child-friendly enough for your kids. Regardless of your reasons, today, we’ll help you keep your private things private.
Regardless of your brand, you can easily hide apps on any phone with the two methods below. The first one is suitable for hiding pre-installed apps you don’t use and hiding the apps you do use but want to make sure no one but you sees.
On the other hand, the second method is a lot more limited. It only works with system apps, which are pre-installed apps that you can’t remove, but it requires less work and won’t change the look and feel of your Android phone like the first method.
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Many Android launchers allow you to hide apps with just a few taps. We recommend using Nova Launcher because it packs plenty of features and is blazingly fast. The only problem is that you need to upgrade to the Prime version of the app to get the option to hide apps. If you’re into customization and want a stock-like experience on your smartphone, it’s worth paying a few bucks to get the app.
Install Nova Launcher and Nova Launcher Prime from the Play Store, then set it as the default launcher on your phone. Once that’s done, head into the app drawer and open the Nova Settings app. Then head to App drawer > Hide apps and check the box next to the apps you want to hide. That’s it!
Don’t worry; you can still use the apps even when hidden.
Just open the app drawer, type the app’s name in the search box up top, and launch it when it appears.
Keep in mind that the ability to hide apps is just one of the many features offered by Nova Launcher. The launcher will change your Android UI’s look and feel, which means it’s not for everyone.
If you want a free alternative to Nova Launcher Prime, we suggest going with Apex Launcher. It’s not as good overall, but it lets you hide apps without spending a dime — download it here.
More: These are the best launchers for Android
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
You can remove/hide apps from the app drawer by disabling them, which means you won’t be able to use them. However, this method only works with system apps — pre-installed apps on your phone that can’t be deleted. You can’t disable an app you’ve downloaded from the Play Store.
Open the Settings app, select Apps & notifications, and tap See all apps to disable an app. Find and open the app you want to hide. Tap Disable, followed by Disable app.
Note: These instructions were put together using a Pixel 4a with 5G running Android 13. Keep in mind steps might be slightly different depending on your phone and software version.
Many phones have a built-in feature that allows you to hide apps. We won’t list instructions for every brand out there, but we will show you how to get the job done on Samsung, OnePlus, and LG phones.
Remember that not every phone from the brands mentioned supports hiding apps. The feature may not be available if you have an older Android device running an older version. The path to the feature may also slightly differ based on your handset and OS version.
More: The first things to do with your new Android phone
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
The Hidden Space feature allows you to hide apps on OnePlus phones.
To access it, open up the app drawer and then swipe right. From there, tap the + icon, select the apps you want to hide, and tap the checkmark to get the job done.
You can also set up a password/fingerprint protection to ensure you’re the only one who can access the Hidden Space folder. To do so, tap the icon in the top-right corner (three vertical dots), select Enable password, and follow on-screen instructions.
Note: These instructions were put together using a OnePlus Nord N200 running Android 11. Keep in mind steps might be slightly different depending on your phone and software version.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Hiding apps on a Samsung phone is a breeze. Open the app drawer, tap the icon in the top-right corner (three vertical dots), and select the Settings option. The next step is to find and tap the Hide apps option, after which a list of apps will pop up on the screen. Select the apps you want to hide and tap Done to finish the job.
Note: These instructions were put together using a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus running Android 11. Keep in mind steps might be slightly different depending on your phone and software version.
David Imel / Android Authority
There are two ways you can hide apps on your LG phone. The first is used if you don’t have an app drawer enabled, while the second can be done with the app drawer turned on. Let’s start with the former.
Open the settings on your phone and tap the Home screen option located under the Display tab. Alternatively, you can also long-press on the home screen and select the Home screen settings option to speed things up. The next step is to open the Hide apps menu, tap the apps you want to hide, and select the Done option.
The process is a bit different if you have the app drawer enabled.
You won’t find the Hide apps option in the settings. Instead, you have to open the app drawer, tap the icon in the top-right corner (three vertical dots), and then select the Hide apps option. From there, choose the apps you want to hide and tap Done.
Note: These instructions were put together using an LG Wing running Android 10. Keep in mind steps might be slightly different depending on your phone and software version.
Just like with hiding apps, we’ll show you two methods for hiding photos and files that you can use on any phone. Both get the job done but in very different ways.
The two methods require you to download an app from the Play Store.
Related: The 10 best security apps for Android
As you can tell by its name, this app serves as a vault for your images and other files. You can move the files from your gallery and other apps into GalleryVault, where you can access them with a pin code or fingerprint. It’s a free app, but it has ads that can get annoying.
After downloading the app, make an account, and tap the + button in the bottom-right corner. Select whether you want to add pictures and videos or any other files. Then select the files you want to keep safe, tap Add, and select the folder in which you wish to place them. That’s all there is to it!
If you don’t want to move images and other files from one place to another, an app like AppLock is a better choice for you. It allows you to lock any app on your phone and access it with your fingerprint. For example, you can lock the Gallery and Google Photos apps, so even if someone does play around with your phone, they can’t see the photos and files you have on your phone.
To get started, download AppLock from the Play Store, open it, and then follow on-screen instructions to set it up. To lock an app, scroll down until you see a list of apps on your phone, and then tap the ones you want to protect. We also suggest that you enable the fingerprint lock to avoid using a pattern set by default. You can do that by heading to the Protect tab within the app and tapping the Fingerprint Lock option.
You’ll be asked to verify your identity next time you try to access protected apps.
Depending on your phone, you may have the option to hide files and images without downloading third-party apps. This feature is built into phones by Samsung, OnePlus, LG, etc. Check out the detailed instructions for the brands mentioned below.
Here: The 10 best gallery apps for Android
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
OnePlus has an excellent Lockbox feature buried so deep that many people don’t know about it. You have to open the File Manager app to access it, and then you’ll see it at the bottom.
You can move files to Lockbox within the File Manager app. Tap on Documents, Images, Videos, or Audio depending on the type of file you want to move, long-press on a file, and then tap the icon in the top-right corner (three vertical dots), followed by Move to Lockbox.
Note: These instructions were put together using a OnePlus Nord N200 running Android 11.
Keep in mind steps might be slightly different depending on your phone and software version.
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Secure Folder is one of the best features available on Samsung phones and allows you to hide photos and all sorts of other files. The app should be pre-installed on your device, but you’ll need a Samsung account to use it. If you can’t find it, try searching for it in the app drawer search box. You can often also find it in the notification area.
Once you sign in and the app is ready to go, hit the three-dot menu button. Select Add files. Choose whether you want to add Images, Videos, Audio, Documents, or My Files. Select the files and hit Done. Then select Move so that no copy is available outside the Secure Folder.
You can hide photos on your LG phone from within the Gallery app. Launch the app, tap the image you want to hide, and tap the icon in the upper-right corner (three vertical dots). Select the Lock option, and you’re good to go.
To access the images you’ve hidden, head into the Gallery app, tap the icon in the upper-right corner (three vertical dots), and select Show locked files. You’ll have to punch in your password or use your fingerprint to get access to them.
Note: These instructions were put together using an LG Wing running Android 10. Keep in mind steps might be slightly different depending on your phone and software version.
There must be a reason you want to keep your files secret. Do you suspect someone is spying on you? We have a guide to find out if someone is spying on your phone. You may also want to keep your passwords safe, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite password managers. One last thing; set up a ‘find my phone’ app to ensure you can recover your device and precious files if you lose your phone.
Most Android users know that you can disable or uninstall apps from an Android phone if you don't want to see them anymore. But what if you don't want to delete the app data, or still want the ability to readily use it whenever?
Maybe you're trying to hide work apps from little fingers or dating apps from inquisitive family members or friends. Regardless, you'll be glad to hear that hiding apps keeps them from appearing in your regular scrolling, but enables them to still appear in your app drawer when you search for them. However, it's important to note that hiding apps will not achieve full privacy of your data, as the apps are still searchable.
Depending on what type of phone you have, there are a few different methods you can use to hide apps on an Android OS.
1. Long-tap on any empty space on your home screen.
2. In the bottom right corner, tap the button for home screen settings.
3. Scroll down on that menu and tap "Hide apps."
4. In the menu that pops up, select any apps you want to hide, then tap "Apply."
1. Open the Security app.
2. Tap the icon for App Lock.
3. Select the apps you want to hide.
1. Open the app drawer.
2. Swipe from left to right on the screen to open the Hidden Space.
3. Tap the + icon in the top right corner.
4. Select the apps you want to hide. Return to this space when you want to use them.
Note: This method only works for apps that haven't been downloaded yet.
If you'd like to hide an app you already have using this method, you'll need to delete it and redownload it during this process.
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Privacy & Security.
3. Tap PrivateSpace.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up PrivateSpace.
5. Download any apps you'd like to keep private.
If none of these options are available, you can also use a third-party app to allow you to hide apps.
One popular app is Nova Launcher — though it's worth noting that the paid version app will change the feel and use of your Android phone. If you don't want that, skip to our next suggestion.
1. Download Nova Launcher Prime from the Google Play Store.
2. Set it as your default app launcher.
3. Open the Nova Settings App.
4. Tap "App & widget drawers."
5. Tap "Hide Apps" under Drawer groups.
6. Check the box next to the apps you want to hide.
If you'd prefer, you can use Nova Launcher's free version to disguise apps you don't want seen by changing their name and icon. To do so:
1. Open the app drawer.
2. Long-tap on the app you want to disguise.
3. Tap "Edit."
4. Change the name to whatever you want, then tap the icon to change it.
Melanie Weir
Freelance author
Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well.
She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached at [email protected], or through LinkedIn.
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Contents
There are situations when you need to remove the icon of some application from the menu, for example, WhatsApp: to hide correspondence, protect the program from accidental deletion, for example, by children.
How to hide the messenger icon that automatically appears in the menu after installation?
In the case of the Android platform, built-in OS functions and separate applications from third-party developers will come to the rescue. nine0003
The method is suitable for Android OS version 4 and its derivatives. If you have the fifth version of the platform, proceed to the following methods. So, how to enter the application panel and what needs to be done there:
Select "Whatsapp" and other applications that you want to remove from the general list.
To access the hidden messenger later, call the same menu and click on "Show Hidden".
In the smartphone settings, you can disable built-in and third-party applications, including WhatsApp. After turning off, the icon disappears from the menu or home screen. In this case, the program remains in the system (it is not deleted). Consider how to turn off the messenger:
Expand the Applications or Application Manager menu.
Go to the section with applicationsImmediately switch to the "All" tab. It is in it, and not in the "Third-Party" section, that you can turn off the non-system utility. Find Whatsapp.
Find the messenger in the list of all utilitiesCheck it.
Highlight "Wastap" in list Tap on the icon with three dots at the top right - select the "Disable" option.
Agree with the deactivation.
Click on OK in the dialog boxWhatsapp will appear in the last tab with applications disabled. There will no longer be an icon on the "Desktop".
"Vatsap" appeared in the section with previously disabled applicationsIf you want to enter the messenger, you will have to turn it on again manually. Check the utility in the list.
Check "Wastap" again to enable itIn the menu with three dots, tap on "Enable". The icon will appear on the home screen or application drawer.
There are special programs that hide application icons on the “Desktop” of the phone. If you need to quickly hide an icon, use "launchers" like Apex Launcher or Nova Launcher. They do not require administrator rights (Root rights), which must be installed separately.
Here are the instructions for the Apex Launcher:
Put the program on your phone. Find the Apex Settings icon in the menu. Open the utility.
Tap on the gear icon "Apex settings"Go to the program menu settings. If you only have home screens in Android, but there is no menu with applications, open the section with desktop settings.
Go to application menu settingsTap on hidden utilities.
Expand the menu "Hidden applications"Check the applications that you want to remove from the general list, including WhatsApp. Click "Save".
Mark all the programs you want to hide and save On the iPhone, you can hide the WhatsApp icon through settings or a third party application.
The easiest way is to place the messenger icon in a folder that will be located in the menu. nine0003
In the settings, you can turn off the display of only all the icons of third-party programs - it will not be possible to deactivate pointwise. This is the minus of the method. However, it is worth considering:
Click on the "Enable restrictions" link.
Scroll through the utility list pageWrite a password for the restrictions you set up next so that no one can easily change them without your knowledge. Scroll down the page with built-in utilities. Click on "Programs". Check the box next to the first item "Prohibit software". Third-party app icons will disappear from the menu. nine0003 Check the "Disable software" item
How to add an icon to a folder, we'll tell you:
A folder will automatically be created containing the two applications you captured. To prevent the WhatsApp icon from being indicated in the folder icon, hold it down again, but in the created directory. Drag it to the right, to the second page of the folder. nine0003 Put the application shortcut on another page
Press the Home button to close the editing mode. Return to the menu - there should be a folder in which there is only one application (we dragged the WhatsApp icon to it in the first step). The messenger itself will not be displayed - it is hidden.
Only one program should be displayed in the folder - not WhatsAppCydia is a third-party analogue of the official App Store. It can be installed on the iPhone system with or without a jailbreak (hacking the device). Consider, of course, the method without Jailbreak:
To do this, go to the specified site in the Safari browser on the iPhone, download the installer and run it. installer to your iPhone Open the store and use the search (the magnifying glass icon on the panel below) to find the SBSettings utility. Install it and open it right away. Go to the section with its settings (the icon in the form of a gear on the panel in the middle).
Go to store settingsTap Hide Icons. nine0003 Open the Hide Icons menu in the utility
Find WhatsApp in the list and set the switch to the On position.
If you have Android version 4, use the built-in "Hide Apps" option, which is available in the menu with application icons. In other cases, you will either have to disable WhatsApp or download a special launcher, for example, Apex Launcher. On the iPhone, you can turn off the display of the WhatsApp icon in the settings, but the icons of other third-party utilities that are in your system will be erased. An alternative way is to place the icon in a folder, on the second page in it, or use the SBSettings app, which can be downloaded from the Cydia store.
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It is estimated that around 84% of mobile phones in the world have this application. nine0154 Whatsapp installed. This is due in part to the fact that is an instant and free messaging service that allows you to know when someone has received and read our chat.
It turns out that the application that we are going to analyze manages important data related to user privacy. This way, anyone with access to a mobile phone will be able to see whatsapp content.
In the following paragraphs, we will show you how you can protect your data with a tool that allows you to hide WhatsApp on your mobile phone. nine0154 We will tell you all the necessary steps to ensure the protection of your data.
Since WhatsApp is the most used instant messenger today, many people interact with this platform for various reasons. For this reason, it is convenient to save the application on your mobile so that you do not have problems in the future.
Most important causes:
Perhaps this is the main reason. As we said before, WhatsApp is one of the tools that users interact with the most during the day. . This means that in your account you save a lot of important information for yourself and other people.
If an attacker gains access to your account, you will be able to see all your activities, which are often not convenient for you, your work or your personal relationships.
Messages are sent to WhatsApp, among others, containing sensitive financial information. Accordingly, all data, photos and messages of any other type containing personal information may compromise the security of your bank accounts, credit cards or virtual wallets.
In addition, intruders can learn access passwords from plateformes de e-commerce and thus buy things in your name that you have not authorized.
Don't forget this Whatsapp does not identify the user, but the account . Thus, anyone who accesses the application installed on your mobile phone can pretend to be you.
This can have serious consequences in your life, as your contacts will receive messages as if you had sent them. nine0003
Some people use this method of instant messaging to protect their business information.
. For this reason, they photograph pay stubs or any other document related to professional life.
If your WhatsApp account is hacked, anyone can delete these data and messages, causing you to lose all proof of your work or other important tasks.
As you may have realized, if a person logs into your WhatsApp account application, this can cause serious inconvenience in various aspects of your life. Fortunately, you can hide this application's icon from your mobile phone's menu.
To do this, you need to follow the steps that we will show you below, depending on your operating system:
On Android, you can hide the WhatsApp application if you keep it in a safe. Built into some smartphones, this application will allow you to post and access instant messages, you will need to do this through the safe.
The steps to activate the safe are as follows:
This way the WhatsApp icon will disappear from the menu, but it will be integrated into your mobile safe. nine0003
If you do not have this tool, you will have to use a third party application. In this case we will take "Apex Launcher" for example . To follow the guide, you must first download the app.
You will need to follow these steps:
Apex Launcher - Personalized, Secure, Efficient
Developer:
Android Li Team
At:
Free
What you can do on your iPhone is hide the WhatsApp icon in a folder. You must follow these directions:
When you click the start button, the folder appears but you don't see the whatsapp icon.
"UPDATE ✅ Do you want to know how to hide the WhatsApp icon in the mobile phone menu? ⭐ LOG IN HERE ⭐ and find out how to do it ✅ EASY and FAST ✅ »
If you think that hiding the WhatsApp icon is too flashy (for them to start doubting you) and you need to protect private conversations, you can use another tool that the same application offers you to keep your messages safe. nine0003
The steps you will need to follow are very simple, you just need to follow this guide:
nine0008 If you want to see this conversation, you will need to go to the bottom of the chats tab and click on "Archived" . In this section, you will see in chronological order all the conversations that you have recorded.
Be aware that if you send a new message to an archived conversation, it will no longer be in this state and will appear on the tab as recent. nine0154 "Chats" , so you will have to repeat the procedure that we have shown you.
If you don't want to use any of the tools we mentioned before, you may have third party apps to help you hide WhatsApp and other apps you want. depending on which operating system you have installed on your mobile.
Top programs:
Available for Android , it has free and paid versions.
Be second without ads and with additional features that allow you to save applications with different access passwords.
What's more, it will allow you to integrate with Google Now Feed , allowing you to combine different tools in fewer steps and improve security.
Launcher
Developer:
Michel Lacorte
At:
Free
This is a tool for iPhone and iPad. which will allow the user to have an app center that can be restricted according to desired criteria. This means that whenever you need to use some of the apps that are in the Launch Center, you don't have to take any extra steps.
It does not slow down the performance of the hardware, and its interface speeds up the search for hidden applications. nine0295
Launch Center Pro - Icon Maker
Developer:
Contrast
At:
Free +
This is one of the most downloaded apps in Google Play.
for this task type. Its features allow the user to have modern screens in the app drawer that can be moved horizontally and vertically, which provides more comfort for viewing and using. nine0003
In the paid version, you can hold or double-tap on the main screen to perform previously configured functions. What's more, in the app drawer, you can uninstall any app without deleting it. It is available for Android.
New Launcher
Developer:
TeslaCoil Software
With:
Free
You can hide apps in parallel with this official Google store, which you can hide apps in parallel with this official store. nine0155 . The look and feel you will find on its interface is a simple calculator, but once you enter the code, you will be able to access the app drawer.
As for WhatsApp, this will allow you to clone messages and hide this data in a box dedicated for this purpose.
