Are you searching for an easy way to hide apps on your Android device? Whether it’s for privacy reasons or simply to keep your home screen organized, hiding apps can be very useful. Maybe you want to protect sensitive apps from curious eyes, or perhaps you just want a cleaner, clutter-free layout. In this updated 2026 guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective methods to hide apps on Android, step by step. From built-in phone settings to third-party solutions, you’ll learn how to keep your apps out of sight while still keeping them easily accessible when you need them.
Why You Should Hide Apps on Android
In today’s digital world, keeping your personal information safe is essential. Hiding apps adds an extra layer of privacy and helps protect sensitive data. Below are some key reasons to hide apps on your Android device:
1. Enhanced Privacy: Hiding personal apps adds an extra layer of protection to your device. Whether it’s a banking app, messaging platform, or social media account, keeping them out of sight helps reduce the chances of someone snooping into your private data. This way, even if you lend your phone to a friend or family member, your sensitive apps remain secure.
2. Declutter Home Screen: Having too many apps visible can make your phone look messy and harder to navigate. By hiding the apps you don’t use every day, you can keep your home screen clean and organized. This not only makes your device easier to use but also gives it a more minimal and professional appearance.
3. Prevent Accidental Tapse: Some apps are rarely used but still sit on your home screen, making it easy to open them by mistake. By hiding these apps, you reduce unnecessary clutter and make it quicker to locate the apps you actually use every day. This helps improve your overall phone experience and keeps things more organized.
4. Prevent Distractions: Social media, gaming, and entertainment apps can easily take up more time than intended. By hiding these apps, you remove the constant temptation to open them, helping you stay focused on more important tasks. This simple step can also reduce screen time and promote healthier phone habits.
How to Hide Apps on Different Android Phones
The step to hide apps vary depending on your device brand. Below are Common methods for popular devices:
Method 1. Hiding Apps on Huawei Phones
Huawei devices use a feature called PrivateSpace, which creates a separate, secure area on your phone where apps and files can stay hidden from your main screen. Here’s how to set it up:
Step 1: Open Your Phone Settings: Go to your app drawer and tap the Settings icon. This is where Huawei keeps privacy and security options, including the feature used to hide apps.
Step 2: Access Privacy Settings: Scroll down and tap Privacy. This section controls features designed to protect your personal data.
Step 3: Turn On PrivateSpace: Select PrivateSpace and follow the instructions to enable it. You’ll be asked to create a separate lock method, such as a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint, which will be used only for this private area.
Step 4: Enter PrivateSpace: Once set up, you can switch to PrivateSpace from your lock screen by using the PrivateSpace password or pattern. This opens a completely separate space from your regular phone usage.
Step 5: Install Apps Inside PrivateSpace: Download the apps you want to keep hidden while inside PrivateSpace. Any app installed here will not appear on your main home screen or app drawer, keeping it fully hidden from view.
Tip: To return to your normal phone view, simply lock your screen and unlock it using your regular device password.
Method 2. Hiding Apps on Samsung Devices
If you use a Samsung phone or tablet, hiding apps is simple and doesn’t require extra software. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open Settings: Start by opening the Settings app on your Samsung device. You can find it on your home screen or inside the app drawer.
Step 2: Go to Home Screen Settings: Scroll down in the Settings menu and tap on Home screen. This section controls how apps and icons appear on your device.
Step 3: Open the Hide Apps Option: Within the Home screen menu, look for Hide apps on Home and Apps screens and tap on it to continue.
Step 4: Select the Apps You Want to Hide: A list of all installed apps will appear. Tap on the apps you want to hide. You can choose more than one app at the same time.
Step 5: Save Your Changes: Once you’ve selected the apps, tap Done. The chosen apps will now be hidden from both the home screen and the app drawer.
Note: If you ever want to show the apps again, simply return to the same menu, unselect them, and tap Done.
Method 3. Hiding Apps on a OnePlus Device
OnePlus phones make it easy to hide apps using their built-in Hidden Space feature. Here’s a simple way to do it:
1. Open the App Drawer: Swipe up on your home screen to see all your apps.
2. Access Hidden Space: Swipe right in the app drawer to enter Hidden Space.
3. Add Apps to Hidden Space: Tap the “+” icon and select the apps you want to hide.
4. Secure with a Password or Fingerprint: You can protect Hidden Space with a PIN, password, or fingerprint so only you can access it.
5. Confirm: Once added, these apps will no longer appear in your regular app drawer, keeping them private.
Tip: You can always open Hidden Space to access or remove apps from hiding whenever you need.
Method 4. Hiding Apps on a Xiaomi Device:
Xiaomi phones come with a built-in App Lock tool that helps secure and hide app information. To enable it:
1. Open Settings and Access Apps: On your Xiaomi device, open the Settings app and tap on Apps. This section allows you to view and manage all the applications installed on your phone, including the option to hide apps from your home screen and app drawer.
2. Enable App Lock: In the Apps section, select App Lock and tap Turn On. This feature allows you to protect selected apps by hiding them or locking access, ensuring that only you can open them. It’s a simple way to maintain privacy and keep sensitive apps out of sight.
3. Set a Passcode for Locked Apps: After enabling App Lock, create a passcode to secure your hidden apps. This ensures that only you can access them, adding an extra layer of privacy and protecting sensitive information on your Xiaomi device.
4. Confirm and Use App Lock: Once your passcode is set, tap Use App Lock to activate the feature. This will apply the lock to the apps you selected, keeping them hidden and protected from unauthorized access while maintaining easy access for you.
5. Select Apps to Restrict Accesse: Browse through the list of apps and enable the ones you want to restrict. Once activated, these apps will be hidden or locked, ensuring that only you can access them while keeping your Xiaomi device organized and private.
While the apps will still be visible on your home screen, this feature blocks access without the correct passcode, keeping sensitive content private.
Method 5. Hiding Apps on an LG Device:
If you’re using an LG phone, you can hide apps directly from the home screen settings. Here’s the process:
1. Open Settings: On your LG device, start by opening the Settings app. This is where you can manage all system features, including options to hide or control apps on your device.
2. Access Home Screen Settings: In Settings, tap on Display and then select Home screen. This section allows you to customize how apps appear on your LG device, including options to hide specific apps from view.
3. Select Hide Apps: Within the Home screen settings, tap on Hide apps. This will show a list of all the applications installed on your LG device, allowing you to choose which ones you want to keep hidden from the home screen and app drawer.
4. Select Apps to Hide: Browse through the list of installed applications, choose the apps you want to conceal, and tap Done. Once completed, these apps will no longer appear on your home screen or in the app drawer, keeping your LG device organized and your private apps protected.
LG’s hiding option doesn’t require additional locking it simply removes the selected apps from the home screen view.
Method 6. Hiding Apps With Nova Launcher:
1. Install Nova Launcher: Begin by downloading and installing Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store. This launcher allows you to customize your home screen and app drawer, including the ability to hide apps from view while keeping them accessible when needed.
2. Set Nova as Your Default Launcher: After installing Nova Launcher, follow the on-screen setup instructions to make it your default home screen launcher. This ensures that all changes, including app hiding and customization features, are applied consistently across your device.
3. Go to Nova Settings: Long-press on your home screen and select Settings to open the Nova Launcher settings menu. Here, you can access a range of customization options, including the ability to hide apps from your app drawer while keeping them installed and accessible when needed.
4. Navigate to App Drawer Settings: In Nova Launcher settings, go to App & Widget Drawers and locate the Hide Apps option. Toggle it on to access a list of all installed apps, allowing you to select which ones you want to keep hidden from your app drawer while still maintaining full access when needed.
5. Select the Apps You Want to Hide: From the list that appears after enabling Hide Apps, choose the applications you want to conceal from your app drawer. These apps will no longer appear on your home screen or in the drawer, but they remain fully installed and accessible when needed, giving you greater control over privacy and organization.
Using a launcher gives you even more customization options, such as icon packs, home screen layouts, and other privacy features.
Conclusion
Hiding apps on Android gives you better control over your privacy, focus, and home screen layout. Whether your phone offers a built-in hiding feature or you choose a trusted launcher like Nova, the methods shared above make it easy to keep sensitive or rarely used apps out of sight without uninstalling them. By using the option that fits your device, you can enjoy a cleaner interface, reduce distractions, and protect personal information while still accessing your apps whenever you need them.