How to Hide Apps on Android

Most Android users know that you can disable or uninstall apps from an Android phone if you don't want to see them anymore. But what if you don't want to delete the app data, or still want the ability to readily use it whenever?

You may have any number of reasons why you want to learn how to hide apps on Android devices. Whether it’s to keep work apps out of reach of the little ones or sensitive apps away from prying eyes. Perhaps you just want to hide dating apps on your phone. Knowing how to hide apps is crucial to maintaining your privacy.

Exactly what happens when you hide apps on Android? Nobody will be able to find them if they’re scrolling through the phone. This doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to find them. Your Play Store app installs history will show which apps you’ve downloaded. The app data folders will also remain on the device.

The hidden app also won’t appear in the launcher’s search results. Even if someone tries to search for the app directly, they won’t be able to find it. They will need to dig through the installed apps list in the Settings menu or browse the internal storage to find the data folders. By then, you’ll probably know what they’re up to and snatch your phone away.

Hiding apps is different from disabling them. Your device may come with pre-installed bloatware and system apps that can’t be removed. Once disabled, these apps can no longer use system resources and slow down your phone. However, you may just want to hide apps while also being able to use them, so that they don’t show up in the launcher.