Hiding apps on Android isn't just a matter of order; it's also a way to protect your privacy and reduce risks when you lend your phone, travel, or share it with others. Fortunately, Android and the major manufacturer layers offer native functions to hide apps or block them, and there are third-party apps that expand the possibilities.
In this practical guide you will find, gathered in one place, All the proven methods to hide apps: built-in settings, secure folders, guest profiles, the new Android Private Space, specific tricks for Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, LG, and Huawei, plus specialized launchers and utilities. You'll also see their limitations, security implications, and how to reverse each method if needed.
Native system methods to hide apps
Many Android phones include a direct option to Hide apps from Settings or the Home screenDepending on the manufacturer, the path may vary, but the idea is the same: select which apps you want to stop showing in the app drawer and/or on the desktop.
On supported models, go to Settings and look for "Hide Apps" or go to the "Hide Apps" section. Starting screen to locate the setting. If you find it, select the apps you prefer and they will be hidden, moving to the "Hidden apps» in the launcher menus.
Secure Folders and Private Spaces by Manufacturer
Some brands incorporate encrypted containers or separate areas where save sensitive apps and dataThey're ideal when you want to enhance privacy without resorting to external tools.
Samsung: Secure Folder and hiding from the launcher
On Samsung phones, you can do this in two ways. One is from the launcher: open the drawer, tap the three dots, and go to "Home screen settings» and use «Hide Apps» to choose what disappears from view. On the other hand, with Secure folder, a protected space with a lock and your Samsung account.
To create Secure Folder: go to Settings > Security and privacy > Secure Folder, sign in with your Samsung account and choose the lock method. Then, open Secure Folder on the home screen, tap "+» and add the apps you want to protect; from then on, they'll only be visible within this container.
OnePlus: Hide Apps (formerly Hidden Space)
In OnePlus the option is called "Hide apps«. Go to Settings > Privacy policy > Hide apps, set a password and active The apps you want to hide. They won't appear on the home screen or in recent apps, although certain system menus may still list them.
Xiaomi: App Lock and Dual Apps
On Xiaomi, open Settings > Applications > App Lock and tap "On". Create a access code and choose which apps to block. This method doesn't completely hide them from the drawer, but it does require a code to open them. covering the contents in front of prying eyes. In addition, with Dual applications You can clone apps to separate data and accounts, which serves as an additional layer of discretion.
LG: Hide them from the Home screen
On LG phones, go to Settings > Screen > Home screen > Hide apps, check the ones you want and tap “Done.” You don’t need to lock them here: apps disappear from the desktop and drawer Immediately.
Huawei: PrivateSpace for an isolated environment
Huawei offers PrivateSpace, a separate locked space (fingerprint/biometrics) for installing apps and saving files independently. Set it up in Settings > Security and privacy > PrivateSpace, and then installs inside the apps you want to keep out of the main profile.
Android Private Space: The new official way to isolate apps and data
Android incorporates a Private space It creates a separate profile within the device itself, with its own independent lock and container visible/hidden on demand. It's the most comprehensive solution for keeping apps, files, and accounts separate from primary use.
Requirements and limitations
To use it you must be the primary user of the device. It is not supported if the manufacturer or your company has disabled it, if you are on a secondary profile, or if the phone has more than 4 users/profiles. You can associate a exclusive Google account to reduce leaks (notifications, photos or history) outside the space.
Step by step configuration
Go to Settings> Security and privacy > Private Space. Authenticate with the screen lock, tap "Set up" and decide whether to use the device lock or create a private space. new one (pattern, PIN, password, or fingerprint). When you're done, the space will display a clean home screen to begin installing and organizing your apps.
Relevant note: there are Known issues with Wear OS If your watch is paired with an Android device with Private Space, it's a good idea to check compatibility before permanently activating it.
Lock, unlock and auto-lock
When Private Space is locked, your apps are locked. completely stopped, with no notifications or background activity, and they disappear from search, drawer, recents, photo picker, Documents or Settings. When you unlock it, they become visible again and you'll see a identifier icon in the notifications of that space.
In space settings you can activate the automatic lock: When you lock your device, 5 minutes after the screen timeout, or only after restarting. This ensures it doesn't accidentally get unlocked.
Hide or show the container in All apps
It is possible to hide the Private Space container from the drawer when it is locked. Enter the adjustments to the space itself and turn on “Hide Private Space when locked” so it doesn’t appear until you unlock it.
Install apps in Private Space
With the space unlocked, you can install in two ways: long press an app in "All apps" and choose Download apps in the private area (creates a new instance), or open the space and use Play Store or other installers from within. By design, this is not allowed migrate data from an app in the main space to the private one to maintain strict separation.
Content Sharing and Bluetooth
With the space unlocked, you will see a "Private" tab in sharing apps (Sharesheet, Docs, Photo Picker). You can send content via Bluetooth from apps in Private Space without revealing their existence, but you won't be able to to receive files via Bluetooth directly into that space.
Accounts and data between spaces
Private Space doesn't automatically inherit your accounts from your main profile. If you use the same Google account on both, certain synchronized data (photos, history, favorites, passwords, recommendations) can transcend. That's why it's recommended to use a different account within space.
Allowed and disallowed actions
Within the space you can consult the app information, pause them, and uninstall them. You won't be able to add widgets or shortcuts to the device's home screen, create backups of the space as part of the phone backup, receive with Quick Share, configure a work profile from the space, pair home automation, use Locator or recover unlock method if you forget.
Please also note that the Private Space may be discoverable via ADB, system logs or apps; some layers or launchers may not be compatible, and apps installed in the storage space they don't use the VPN of the device by design.
Delete or reset Private Space
Deleting Private Space removes all your apps and data without copying linked to the device backup. You can delete it from the space settings itself (with its lock) or from Settings > System > Reset options > Delete private space (with the device PIN). The system option appears even if a space doesn't exist, so as not to reveal their presence.
Guest account and private mode
If you want to lend your phone without exposing your apps, you can use the Guest mode or multiple usersCreate a guest user from Settings (Users & Accounts/Users), switch to guest from Quick Settings, and let them use that session without access to your apps or data.
Some recent Samsung phones do not include a guest profile (yes, on certain tablets), although you can activate it on other models. Multiple users from Settings > Accounts & backup and switch between profiles from Quick Settings. This is a useful option for "shared phone" punctual.
Disable system apps to hide them
When a pre-installed app can't be uninstalled, you can always disable it or, if you are looking to remove it, follow the guide to remove pre-installed apps. When you do this, it disappears from the Start/Drawer and stops consuming resources and data in the background, although it will still be listed in Settings in some cases.
From the home screen: long press the icon and choose "Deactivate» (if it's a system app, you won't see "Uninstall"). From Settings: go to Settings > Applications, select the app and tap "Deactivate." If you change your mind, return to that menu and tap "Enable" to restore it.
Avoid rooting just to hide apps: r The device exposes your security, may void your warranty, and opens the door to malware; it is not necessary for the purposes of this article.
Launchers and third-party apps to hide and camouflage
If your layer does not offer the features you need, the launchers and specialized hiders can help you hide apps, change icons and names, or even disguise the hider itself to go unnoticed.
Nova Launcher
Nova works as a replacement for Startup and, in its paid version, allows hide apps from the drawer; in the free one you can edit name and icon To make an app invisible, long-press the app in the drawer, tap "Edit," change the name and icon, and save.
Microsoft Launcher
Install it from Google Play, set it as a launcher and long press on an empty space on the home screen to enter Launcher SettingsGo to "Hidden Apps," select the ones you want to hide, and tap "Done." You can manage this list whenever you want from the same menu.
App Hider and calculator or notepad clones
Tools like App hider They hide apps and "disguise" themselves as calculators; entering a PIN opens the real panel. There are similar variants such as Notepad Vault (hidden behind a notepad), “Secret Calculator” or utilities that also clone apps to use multiple accounts.
Vault and lockers
Solutions like Vault allow you to hide apps, photos, files and videos, with cloud backup options and password, pattern or biometric locking. Others, like App Locker, add extra layers (Google Play, calls or settings lock) to shield access to critical areas.
Important: Check the developer's permissions, reviews, and reputation before installing hiders. Granting unnecessary access to unknown apps can compromise your privacy.
Tricks and advanced options in MIUI (Xiaomi)
In addition to App Lock, the app Security MIUI guides you through the process: set a pattern or password (preferably different from the one on your phone), link it to your Mi account, and choose the apps you want to protect. It includes unlocking by fingerprint or face, and settings like show/hide pattern and automatic locking.
To reinforce, in the lock settings you can hide notifications from protected apps and prevent them from being read on the screen. You can also manually activate or deactivate the lock and change the password type whenever you need.
To hide icons in the MIUI launcher, long press on a free area of the home screen, enter Settings and use the "hide app icons" option if available in your version; combine this with create smart folders to better organize your apps. You'll access the hidden area with a gesture designated by the system.
El second space Create a separate environment with its own lock. Activate it in Settings > Special functions > Second space, configure the security (it can be different from the main one) and use that space to duplicate apps or isolate content. To delete it, from the main space, go back to that path and tap the delete icon.
MIUI also supports app drawer. Enable it in Settings > Starting screen and select "With app drawer." This keeps your desktop clean and relegates access to the drawer, a solution quick to clear without uninstalling.
If you use hidden calculator type apps, you will be asked for a Access PINThe calculator will work normally, but entering the code will open the protected apps/files container, also hiding its notifications.
Limitations to consider: you cannot share files directly between spaces, notifications from the Second space do not appear in the main one, it can increase resource and battery consumption and if you forget the unlock method, you will have to reset the space losing your data.
How to find and show hidden apps
If you hid from system settings, open Settings > Applications and tap "See all" to list all apps (including disabled or hidden ones), or use tools to find hidden apps. From there you can enable them or manage permissions that reveal your activity.
With PrivateSpace, unlock it from Settings > Security and privacy > Private Space or from its container in the drawer. Apps will return to visible and searchable while it is open.
If you used guest, go back to main user from the user icon in Quick Settings. If you hid it with a launcher, go to its hidden apps menu and uncheck the ones you want to display.
Safety tips and best practices
Always activate a solid screen lock and biometrics; avoid sharing obvious patterns. If you use PrivateSpace, consider a separate Google account to minimize data breaches synchronized.
Reduce the number of installed hiders: the fewer apps with sensitive permissions, smaller attack surface. Keep your system up to date and periodically review which apps have access to notifications, accessibility, or device management.
On public networks, consider using a Reliable VPN to encrypt traffic and prevent snoopers, and don't forget to manage backups of anything that isn't in unbacked spaces (like Private Space).
Frequently asked questions and limits you should know
Hiding apps improves privacy, but it is not a absolute shield. Some system features or advanced menus may still be present, and certain tools (such as ADB) may detect spaces like the private one.
Separate containers and spaces consume more resources and can affect performance and battery life if you duplicate many apps. In corporate environments, MDM policies can restrict or disable these options.
Hidden apps are recoverable in most cases: with a couple of taps you can show or deactivate Hiding. Take note of passwords and steps, especially if you store critical information in these spaces.
You now have a complete overview of native and third-party options for hiding apps on Android, from quick desktop-clearing tricks to encrypted containers and the official Private Space. Choosing the right method—and combining several when necessary—is the key to protect your apps and data without complicating your life. Share this guide and others will know how to hide apps on Android..