How to Hide Apps on Your Android Device

Privacy and personalization are essential aspects of our digital lives. Sometimes, you may have certain apps on your Android device that you’d prefer to keep hidden from prying eyes or simply organize in a more discreet manner. Fortunately, there are several methods available to hide apps on your Android smartphone without the need for third-party applications. In this article, we’ll explore various techniques to help you maintain your privacy and keep specific apps hidden from view.

Method 1: Use the Built-in App Hiding Feature (Samsung and LG Devices): Some Android smartphones, particularly those from Samsung and LG, come equipped with a built-in app hiding feature. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the app drawer or the list of all installed apps on your device.
2. Tap the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Look for an option that says “Hide apps,” “App Hide,” or something similar.
4. Select the apps you wish to hide from the list.
5. Once you’ve chosen the apps, tap the “Apply” or “Done” button to save your changes.

The selected apps will now be hidden from the app drawer, home screen, and any other visible areas on your device. To access them, you’ll typically need to use a specific gesture, password, or PIN.

Method 2: Create App Folders: Another straightforward method to hide apps on your Android device is by creating app folders. This method does not completely hide the apps but groups them together, making them less noticeable. Here’s how to do it:

1. Long-press on an app icon on your home screen until you can drag it.
2. Drag and drop the app icon onto another app icon. This action will create a folder.
3. Repeat this process to add more apps to the folder.
4. Once you’ve added all the apps you wish to hide, tap on the folder to open it.
5. Rename the folder to something generic or inconspicuous.
6. To access the hidden apps, simply open the folder and tap on the app you want to use.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party Launcher: If your device doesn’t have a built-in app hiding feature, you can use a third-party launcher that offers this functionality. Nova Launcher and Apex Launcher are popular options that allow you to hide apps without requiring root access. Here’s how to hide apps using Nova Launcher as an example:

1. Install and set up Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store.
2. Long-press on the home screen to bring up the customization options.
3. Tap on “Widgets” and then find and long-press the “Nova Actions” widget.
4. Drag the widget to your home screen and release it.
5. A pop-up menu will appear. Scroll down and select “Hide Apps.”
6. From the list of installed apps, choose the apps you want to hide.
7. Tap the back arrow to save your changes.

The selected apps will now be hidden from the app drawer and home screen. You can access them by searching for their names in the app drawer search bar or by creating custom gestures or swiping actions within the launcher.

Hiding apps on your Android device can provide an extra layer of privacy and organization. Whether you have a Samsung or LG device with a built-in app hiding feature or choose to use app folders or third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, you can easily keep certain apps out of sight from prying eyes. Experiment with these methods and find the one that works best for you, ensuring that your apps remain discreet while still being easily accessible to you when needed.