In today’s digital age, maintaining privacy on your smartphone is more important than ever. Whether you want to keep certain apps away from prying eyes, organize your home screen, or enhance security, Samsung provides built-in features that allow you to hide apps effortlessly. This feature is useful for protecting sensitive information, preventing unauthorized access, or simply decluttering your device. Samsung’s One UI offers an easy-to-use “Hide Apps” option within the settings, allowing users to conceal selected apps without uninstalling them. Additionally, Samsung’s Secure Folder provides an extra layer of security by creating a private, password-protected space for apps and files.
These methods ensure that your hidden apps remain accessible only to you. By using these features, you can enjoy better control over your data while keeping your device organized and secure. Whether for privacy or convenience, learning how to hide apps on your Samsung device can help you manage your smartphone experience effectively.
Why Hide Apps on Samsung?
Users have various reasons for wanting to hide apps on their Samsung devices. Protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access is a top priority for many, especially if their phone is shared or easily accessible to others. Separating work-related apps from personal ones can help maintain a clear boundary between professional and personal life, reducing distractions. Parents might also hide apps to prevent children from accessing inappropriate or distracting content. Additionally, hiding apps can help avoid unnecessary clutter on the home screen, leading to a cleaner, more organized interface. Finally, some users simply value their privacy and prefer to keep certain apps out of sight from prying eyes.
Methods to Hide Apps on Samsung
Samsung provides various built-in and third-party methods to hide apps. The table below summarizes different ways you can use to conceal applications on your device:
| Method | Description | Difficulty Level |
| Using Samsung Launcher | In-built feature to hide apps via settings | Easy |
| Secure Folder | Samsung’s official method for app security | Moderate |
| Third-Party Launchers | Installable apps that provide app-hiding options | Medium |
| Disabling Apps | Hides unwanted system apps | Easy |
| Guest or Second User Mode | Creates a separate user profile for privacy | Medium |
Using Samsung Launcher to Hide Apps
Samsung’s One UI provides a built-in feature that allows users to hide apps without the need for third-party applications. This is useful for keeping certain apps private or reducing clutter on your home screen. Hidden apps will not appear in the app drawer or on the home screen, but they remain installed on the device. You can still access them using search functions or by unhiding them when needed.
Steps to Hide Apps:
- Open the Settings App – Navigate to your phone’s settings menu.
- Go to Home Screen Settings – Scroll down and tap on the “Home Screen” option.
- Select “Hide Apps” – Look for the option labeled Hide Apps on Home and App Screens or simply Hide Apps.
- Choose the Apps – Select the apps you want to hide from the list provided.
- Confirm the Selection – Tap Apply or Done to finalize the changes.
Using Secure Folder to Hide Apps
Samsung’s Secure Folder is a highly secure feature that allows users to store apps, files, and other personal data in a protected space on their devices. It leverages Samsung Knox security, ensuring that all stored content is encrypted and locked behind authentication such as a PIN, password, or biometric verification. Unlike simply hiding apps from the home screen, Secure Folder completely isolates selected apps, preventing unauthorized access even if someone else is using your phone. Additionally, notifications from these apps remain private, further enhancing security.
Steps to Hide Apps Using Secure Folder:
- Open the Settings App – Navigate to Settings on your Samsung device.
- Go to Biometrics & Security – Scroll down and tap on Secure Folder under Biometrics & Security.
- Set Up Secure Folder – Follow the setup process, choosing a PIN, password, or biometric authentication for added security.
- Add Apps to Secure Folder – Once inside, tap the Add Apps button.
- Select Apps to Hide – Choose the apps you want to move into the Secure Folder.
- Access Apps Securely – These apps will now only be accessible inside the Secure Folder, requiring authentication to open them.
Comparison Between Hiding Apps via Launcher and Secure Folder
| Feature | Samsung Launcher | Secure Folder |
| Security Level | Low | High |
| Accessibility | Hidden from home screen | Completely private |
| Requires Password? | No | Yes |
| Best For | Hiding non-sensitive apps | Hiding sensitive apps |
| Additional Features | None | Encrypted storage, extra security |
Using Third-Party Launchers to Hide Apps
Apart from Samsung’s built-in methods, third-party launchers can offer more customization and flexibility. These launchers provide additional features such as custom gestures, app icon modifications, and enhanced privacy settings. Some of the best launchers for hiding apps include:
- Nova Launcher – Offers an easy way to hide apps from the app drawer without uninstalling them.
- Apex Launcher – Includes an app-locking feature along with the ability to hide apps.
- Microsoft Launcher – Provides a secure way to organize and conceal apps while integrating with Microsoft services.
- POCO Launcher – Allows users to hide apps and access them with a password or fingerprint.
To hide apps using Nova Launcher:
- Set it as your default launcher.
- Open Nova Settings and navigate to App Drawer.
- Tap on Hide Apps and select the apps you want to conceal.
- The selected apps will disappear from the app drawer, though they remain installed and accessible through search or shortcuts.
Disabling Apps to Hide Them
Samsung devices come pre-installed with various system apps, many of which cannot be uninstalled. However, you can disable these apps to hide them from your app drawer and prevent them from running in the background. Disabling an app essentially freezes it, making it non-functional without completely removing it from your device.
How to Disable Apps on Samsung Devices
Open Settings and go to Apps: To begin, unlock your Samsung device and navigate to the Settings menu. Scroll down and tap on Apps, where you’ll find a complete list of installed applications. This section includes both user-installed apps and system apps that came preloaded on your device.
Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find the app you want to hide: Once inside the Apps section, you can manually scroll through the list to locate the app you want to disable. If you have many apps installed, you can use the search bar at the top to quickly find the specific app by typing its name.
Tap on the app and select Disable: After selecting the app, you’ll see different options such as Storage, Permissions, and Notifications. Look for the Disable button and tap on it to stop the app from running and remove it from the app drawer.
Confirm your choice when prompted: A confirmation message will appear, warning you that disabling the app may affect some device functions. If you’re sure, tap OK to proceed. The app will now be hidden and rendered inactive, though you can enable it again later if needed.
Wrapping up
Hiding apps on your Samsung device is a simple yet effective way to enhance privacy and maintain a clutter-free home screen. Whether you want to keep personal apps away from prying eyes or organize your interface, Samsung’s built-in features make the process seamless. Using the “Hide Apps” option in settings or the Secure Folder provides an added layer of protection for sensitive applications. Additionally, third-party apps can offer extra customization for those who need more control. With these methods, you can easily manage hidden apps while ensuring they remain accessible when needed. This not only helps in safeguarding your data but also improves your overall smartphone experience. By following these easy steps, you can enjoy a more organized and secure digital space tailored to your preferences.
FAQs
How can I access hidden apps again?
To access hidden apps, go back to the Home Screen settings, select Hide Apps, and uncheck the apps you want to reveal. If you used Secure Folder, open it and authenticate using your password, PIN, or biometrics. For third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, revisit the launcher settings and remove the apps from the hidden list. If the app was disabled, you’ll need to re-enable it in the Settings menu under Apps.
Do hidden apps still receive notifications?
Yes, hidden apps can still receive notifications unless you manually disable them. To stop notifications, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and turn off notifications from the app settings. Some third-party launchers also allow you to block notifications for hidden apps. If you use Secure Folder, notifications are private and appear only when you access the folder. Disabling an app completely will prevent it from sending any alerts.
Can I hide apps without using third-party apps?
Yes, Samsung offers built-in methods to hide apps without installing additional software. You can hide apps through Home Screen Settings by removing them from the app drawer. Another effective way is Secure Folder, which allows you to move apps into a password-protected space. Additionally, disabling apps in Settings will hide pre-installed system apps that cannot be uninstalled.
Will hiding an app affect its functionality?
No, hiding an app only removes it from visibility, and it continues to run unless you disable it. The app can still function in the background, send notifications, and receive updates. However, if you disable the app instead of hiding it, it will stop running completely. Secure Folder isolates apps, meaning they won’t interact with the rest of the system unless opened.
Can I hide pre-installed Samsung apps?
Yes, but pre-installed system apps cannot be fully removed unless you root your device. However, you can disable them through Settings > Apps, which removes them from the app drawer and prevents them from running. Some apps, like Samsung Pay or Bixby, may not have the disable option but can be hidden using Secure Folder or a third-party launcher.
What is the best method to hide sensitive apps?
The most secure method for hiding sensitive apps is using Secure Folder, as it provides password protection, encryption, and isolation from the rest of the device. If you prefer a simpler method, hiding apps through Home Screen settings or using third-party launchers like Nova Launcher is an option. For additional security, disabling notifications and using app locks can prevent unauthorized access.
Are hidden apps visible in the recent apps menu?
No, hidden apps do not appear in the recent apps menu when hidden through Samsung’s built-in methods or Secure Folder. Apps inside Secure Folder will only appear after authentication and will not leave traces in recent apps. However, if you use a third-party launcher to hide apps, they might still be visible in recent apps unless the launcher provides an option to block them.