Why Would You Want to Hide Apps?
There are a few reasons you might want to hide apps on your phone:
- Privacy: You might have apps like banking, social media, or even photo galleries that you’d prefer to keep private.
- Less Clutter: Hiding unused apps can make your phone look cleaner and simpler.
- Parental Control: If kids use your phone, you might want to hide certain apps from them.
No matter the reason, there’s a method here that’ll work for you.
Know More About: How to Check Your Jio Balance.
How to Hide Apps on Android
If you’re using an Android phone, there are a few ways to hide apps, depending on your phone model. Let’s go over the most common methods.
1. Use Your Phone’s Built-in Settings
Some Android phones, like Samsung and OnePlus, come with settings to hide apps.
- Step 1: On your home screen, press and hold a blank area until you see Home Screen Settings pop up.
- Step 2: Tap Hide Apps.
- Step 3: Select the apps you want to hide and confirm.
Tip: The apps are hidden from your main screen, but they’re still searchable if you go to the Settings or app search.
2. Install a Third-Party Launcher (Like Nova Launcher)
If your phone doesn’t have built-in settings to hide apps, try using a launcher like Nova Launcher.
- Step 1: Download Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store and set it as your main launcher.
- Step 2: Go to Nova Settings > App Drawer > Hide Apps.
- Step 3: Choose the apps you want to hide, and they’ll disappear from the main screen.
With launchers like Nova, you can even add extra security like a passcode for your hidden apps.
3. Use Samsung’s Secure Folder (For Samsung Users Only)
If you have a Samsung phone, you can use the Secure Folder feature.
- Step 1: Go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Secure Folder.
- Step 2: Set up Secure Folder with a password or fingerprint.
- Step 3: Add the apps you want to keep private in the Secure Folder.
Apps in the Secure Folder can only be accessed with a password, which makes it a super secure option.
How to Hide Apps on iPhone
Apple doesn’t have as many options as Android, but there are still a few ways to hide apps on your iPhone.
1. Remove Apps from Your Home Screen
This is a simple trick to hide apps without deleting them.
- Step 1: Press and hold the app icon you want to hide until a menu appears.
- Step 2: Tap Remove from Home Screen.
This sends the app to your App Library, where you can still find it, but it won’t show on your main screens.
2. Hide Apps in the App Library Only
You can set apps to appear only in the App Library (available on iOS 14 and later).
- Step 1: Go to Settings > Home Screen and choose App Library Only for new downloads.
- Step 2: Move any existing apps you want hidden by long-pressing them and selecting Remove from Home Screen.
This is an easy way to keep your main screen tidy, while still being able to find apps in the App Library.
3. Use Screen Time to Block Certain Apps
Want to fully block an app? You can use Screen Time.
- Step 1: Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.
- Step 2: Choose the apps to limit access to and set the time limit to 0 minutes.
- Step 3: Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions and select the apps you want to block.
To access these apps, you’ll need the Screen Time passcode.
Extra Tips for Hiding Apps
Here are a few bonus tips to help you hide apps on any phone:
- Create a Folder: Place all the apps you want to hide into one folder, and move it to a less visible spot on your home screen.
- Use App Lock Apps: On Android, apps like AppLock let you add a password to specific apps.
- Turn Off Notifications: If privacy is your main concern, turn off notifications for any hidden apps so they won’t pop up on your lock screen.
Wrapping It Up
Hiding apps on your phone is simple, whether you’re using Android or iPhone. With these methods, you can keep your phone looking clean and keep certain apps private. Test out a few of these options and see which one works best for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I hide apps without deleting them?
Yes! You can hide apps without deleting them on both Android and iPhone. Options like using the App Drawer, removing apps from the Home Screen, or hiding them in the App Library (iPhone) allow you to hide apps without uninstalling.
2. Will hidden apps still run in the background?
Yes, hidden apps can still run in the background if they are open or have background processes. Hiding an app doesn’t stop it from functioning, so remember to close it if you don’t want it running.
3. How do I find a hidden app?
- On Android: Hidden apps may still show up if you use the search feature in the App Drawer or Settings.
- On iPhone: Go to the App Library or use the search bar by swiping down on the home screen to locate hidden apps.
4. Can I put a password on hidden apps?
- On Android: Yes, you can use apps like AppLock to add a password or PIN to specific apps.
- On iPhone: iOS doesn’t offer a password option for individual apps, but you can use Screen Time to set restrictions on certain apps.
5. Do hidden apps still receive updates?
Yes, hiding an app doesn’t affect updates. The app will continue to receive updates in the background as long as it’s installed on your device.
6. Can I hide system apps on Android?
Some Android phones allow you to hide system apps through settings or app drawer options. If your device doesn’t have this feature, you might need a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher.
7. Can I hide apps from the App Store or Google Play?
No, hidden apps are still visible in your purchase history on both the App Store and Google Play. However, they won’t show on your home screen or app drawer if hidden.
