How to Hide Apps on Your Phone
Do you have some apps on your phone that you don't want others to see? Maybe you want to keep your personal photos, messages, or financial data private. Or maybe you want to declutter your home screen and app drawer. Or maybe you want to avoid getting distracted by social media, games, or news. Whatever your reason, hiding apps can be a useful way to manage your phone and protect your information.
hide app
Hiding apps means making them invisible or inaccessible from your phone's main interface. Depending on the type of phone and operating system you have, there are different methods to hide apps. Some phones have built-in features that allow you to hide apps easily. Others require you to use third-party launchers or tools that can disguise or lock your apps. In this article, we will show you how to hide apps on Android and iPhone devices using various techniques.
How to Hide Apps on Android
Android is a popular operating system that powers many phones from different brands, such as Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Huawei, and more. If you have an Android phone, there are several ways to hide apps from your home screen and app drawer. Here are some of the most common methods:
Use Built-in Settings (Some Models)
Some Android phones have a built-in feature to hide apps via the home screen or phone settings. If you have a Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, OnePlus, or Huawei phone, you might be in luck. Here's how to hide apps using this feature:
Open your app drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
Look for an option that says Hide Apps or Hidden Apps and tap it.
Select the apps that you want to hide and tap Apply or Done.
The selected apps will now be hidden from your home screen and app drawer. To access them again, you will need to go back to the Settings and unhide them.
Use Third-party Launchers
If your Android phone doesn't have a built-in feature to hide apps, you can use a third-party launcher instead. A launcher is an app that changes the look and feel of your home screen and app drawer. Some launchers also have the ability to hide apps from view. One of the most popular launchers that can do this is Microsoft Launcher. Here's how to use it:
Download and install Microsoft Launcher from the Google Play Store.
Follow the setup process and make it your default launcher.
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app drawer.
Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
Tap Hide Apps and choose the apps that you want to hide.
If you want to add extra security, tap the gear icon and enable Set Password. You will need to enter a password or a PIN to access your hidden apps.
Your hidden apps will now be stored in a separate folder that can only be opened with your password or PIN. To unhide them, go back to the Hidden Apps folder and tap Unhide.
How to Hide Apps on iPhone
iPhone is another popular operating system that runs on Apple devices, such as iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. If you have an iPhone, there are also some ways to hide apps from your home screen and app library. Here are some of the most common methods:
Use iOS Features
iOS has some features that can help you hide apps without installing any third-party tools. One of them is the App Library, which is a new feature introduced in iOS 14. The App Library is a section that automatically organizes all your apps into categories and folders. You can use it to hide apps from your home screen by removing them from the main pages. Here's how to do it:
How to hide apps on iPhone
Hide app icon from home screen
Best app hider for Android
Hide app notifications on lock screen
Hide app purchases on Apple ID
Hide app downloads on Google Play
App to hide photos and videos
Hide app usage from screen time
Hide app updates on App Store
Hide app icons without deleting them
How to hide apps on Samsung
Hide app lock from home screen
Best app hider for iOS
Hide app messages on iPhone
Hide app icons on Android 11
Hide app activity on Facebook
App to hide online status
Hide app drawer on Android
Hide app icons with Nova Launcher
Hide app icons on iOS 14
How to hide apps on iPad
Hide app name from home screen
Best app hider without root
Hide app previews on iPhone
Hide app icons in folders
How to hide apps on Huawei
Hide app lock notification
Best app hider for iPhone 12
Hide app suggestions on Android 10
Hide app icons with Apex Launcher
How to hide apps on LG phone
Hide app badges on iPhone
Best app hider for Samsung S21
Hide app notifications on Android 11
Hide app icons with Smart Launcher 5
How to hide apps on Xiaomi phone
Hide app lock pattern or password
Best app hider for OnePlus 9 Pro
Hide app suggestions on iOS 14.5
Hide app icons with Microsoft Launcher
How to hide apps on iPhone
Hide app icon from home screen
Best app hider for Android
Hide app notifications on lock screen
Hide app purchases on Apple ID
Hide app downloads on Google Play
App to hide photos and videos
Hide app usage from screen time
Hide app updates on App Store
Hide app icons without deleting them
How to hide apps on Samsung
Hide app lock from home screen
Best app hider for iOS
Hide app messages on iPhone
Hide app icons on Android 11
Hide app activity on Facebook
App to hide online status
Hide app drawer on Android
Hide app icons with Nova Launcher
Hide app icons on iOS 14
How to hide apps on iPad
Hide app name from home screen
Best app hider without root
Hide app previews on iPhone
Hide app icons in folders
How to hide apps on Huawei
Hide app lock notification
Best app hider for iPhone 12
Hide app suggestions on Android 10
Hide app icons with Apex Launcher
How to hide apps on LG phone
Hide app badges on iPhone
Best app hider for Samsung S21
Hide app notifications on Android 11
Hide app icons with Smart Launcher 5
How to hide apps on Xiaomi phone
Hide app lock pattern or password
Best app hider for OnePlus 9 Pro
Hide app suggestions on iOS 14.5
Hide app icons with Microsoft Launcher.
On your home screen, touch and hold an empty area until the apps jiggle.
Tap the minus sign on the app that you want to hide.
Tap Remove App and then tap Move to App Library.
The app will now be removed from your home screen and moved to the App Library. To access it again, swipe left from the last page of your home screen and tap the search bar or the category folder.
Another iOS feature that can help you hide apps is Screen Time, which is a feature that lets you monitor and limit your usage of certain apps. You can use it to hide apps from your app library by restricting them with a passcode. Here's how to do it:
Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn on the switch.
Tap Content Restrictions and then tap Apps.
Select the age rating that you want to restrict. For example, if you want to hide all apps except those rated 4+, select 4+.
Enter a passcode that you will use to access the restricted apps.
The apps that are not within the selected age rating will now be hidden from your app library. To access them again, you will need to enter your passcode in the Screen Time settings.
Use Folders
If you don't want to use the App Library or Screen Time features, you can also use folders to hide apps on your iPhone. Folders are a way to group similar apps together on your home screen. You can use them to hide apps by creating a folder with a misleading name or icon, or by placing the app in a nested folder. Here's how to do it:
On your home screen, touch and hold an app until it jiggles.
Drag the app over another app that you want to hide it with and release it. This will create a folder with both apps inside.
Tap the folder name and rename it to something inconspicuous, such as Utilities or Settings.
If you want to create a nested folder, drag another folder over the first folder and release it. This will create a folder within a folder.
To access the hidden app, tap the folder and swipe left or right to find it.
Your hidden app will now be stored in a folder that looks like another app or category. To unhide it, you can drag it out of the folder and place it on your home screen.
Benefits of Hiding Apps
Hiding apps can have several benefits for your phone and yourself. Some of them are:
Improved Security
Hiding apps can help you protect your sensitive data from prying eyes or unauthorized access. For example, if you have banking, shopping, or social media apps that contain your personal or financial information, hiding them can prevent others from seeing or using them without your permission. This can also reduce the risk of identity theft, fraud, or hacking.
Improved Performance
Hiding apps can also help you improve your phone's performance by freeing up some space and memory. For example, if you have many apps that you don't use often or at all, hiding them can reduce the clutter on your home screen and app drawer. This can also make your phone run faster and smoother by minimizing the background processes and notifications.
Improved User Experience
Hiding apps can also help you improve your user experience by making your phone more organized and customized. For example, if you have some apps that you only use for specific purposes or occasions, hiding them can make your phone more focused and relevant to your needs. This can also make your phone more aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable by removing unwanted icons and colors.
Risks of Hiding Apps
Hiding apps can also have some risks or challenges that you should be aware of before hiding them. Some of them are:
Losing Access
Hiding apps can make it harder for you to access them when you need them. For example, if you forget where you hid them or how to unhide them, you might not be able to find or use them easily. This can be frustrating and inconvenient, especially if you need to use the app urgently or frequently.
Forgetting Passwords
Hiding apps can also make it easier for you to forget your passwords or PINs for the apps. For example, if you hide your apps using a third-party launcher or tool that requires a password or PIN to access them, you might not remember it after a long time of not using it. This can be problematic and risky, especially if you don't have a backup or recovery option.
Violating Terms of Service
Hiding apps can also make you violate the terms of service or policies of some apps or platforms. For example, if you hide your apps using a method that modifies or interferes with the app's functionality or security, you might be breaking the rules or agreements that you accepted when you installed the app. This can result in penalties or consequences, such as losing your account, data, or access.
Alternatives to Hiding Apps
If you don't want to hide your apps or if you find it too complicated or risky, there are some other alternatives that you can try to manage your apps. Some of them are:
Uninstalling Apps
If you have some apps that you don't use at all or rarely use, you can uninstall them from your phone completely. This will remove the app's icon, data, and files from your phone and free up some storage space and memory. To uninstall an app, touch and hold its icon until it jiggles and tap the X sign. You can also go to the Settings app and tap Apps to see a list of all your apps and uninstall them from there.
Disabling Apps
If you have some apps that you can't uninstall because they are pre-installed or system apps, you can disable them instead. This will prevent the app from running in the background, sending notifications, or updating automatically. To disable an app, go to the Settings app and tap Apps. Then, tap the app that you want to disable and tap Disable. You can also tap Force Stop to stop the app from running immediately.
Organizing Apps
If you have many apps that you use regularly or occasionally, you can organize them into folders or categories on your home screen or app drawer. This will make it easier for you to find and access them when you need them. To create a folder, touch and hold an app icon and drag it over another app icon that belongs to the same category. Then, release it and rename the folder as you wish. You can also use the App Library feature on iOS 14 or above to automatically organize your apps into categories.
Conclusion
Hiding apps is a useful way to protect your privacy, save space, or avoid distractions on your phone. Depending on the type of phone and operating system you have, there are different methods to hide apps using built-in features or third-party tools. However, hiding apps also has some risks or challenges that you should be aware of before doing it. If you don't want to hide your apps, there are also some alternatives that you can try to manage your apps better.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to hide apps on your phone and why it can be beneficial or risky. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Can I hide apps on any phone?
No, not all phones have the same features or options to hide apps. Some phones have built-in settings that allow you to hide apps easily, while others require you to use third-party launchers or tools that can disguise or lock your apps.
How can I see my hidden apps?
It depends on how you hid them in the first place. If you used a built-in feature, such as Hide Apps or Hidden Apps in Android settings, you can go back to the same settings and unhide them. If you used a third-party launcher or tool, such as Microsoft Launcher or Screen Time in iOS settings, you will need to open the launcher or tool and enter your password or PIN to access your hidden apps.
How can I hide photos or videos on my phone?
If you want to hide photos or videos on your phone, you can use the same methods as hiding apps, such as using built-in settings, third-party launchers, or folders. However, some phones also have specific features or apps that can help you hide photos or videos more securely. For example, some Android phones have a Secure Folder or Private Mode that can encrypt and hide your photos or videos with a password or fingerprint. Some iPhone devices have a Hidden Album or Photo Vault that can store your photos or videos in a separate location that is not visible in the Photos app.
Can I hide apps from my parents or spouse?
Yes, you can hide apps from anyone who might use your phone or check your phone's activity. However, you should be careful and responsible when doing so, as hiding apps can also cause trust issues or misunderstandings with your parents or spouse. If you have a valid reason to hide apps, such as protecting your privacy or security, you should explain it to them and ask for their respect and understanding. If you are hiding apps for malicious or dishonest purposes, such as cheating, lying, or breaking the rules, you should reconsider your actions and seek professional help if needed.
Can I hide system apps on my phone?
Yes, you can hide system apps on your phone using the same methods as hiding other apps. However, you should be careful and cautious when doing so, as hiding system apps can also affect your phone's functionality or performance. System apps are apps that are essential for your phone's operation, such as Phone, Messages, Settings, Camera, etc. If you hide them, you might not be able to use them properly or access some important features or settings on your phone. If you want to hide system apps, you should make sure that you know what they do and how to unhide them if needed.
44f88ac181
Comentários