How to Hide Apps on Android Without Deleting Them: 6 Proven Methods

Maybe it’s a budgeting app you don’t want your partner seeing, or a game you’d rather your boss not notice when you hand over your phone. Whatever the reason, hiding apps on Android without deleting them is something a lot of people need, and most don’t realize how easy it actually is.

I tested these methods on Samsung and Xiaomi phones running Android 12 and 13. Every method here keeps your apps fully intact with all data preserved. Nothing gets deleted, nothing gets reset.

In this guide, you’ll get 6 proven ways to hide apps on Android, from built-in settings that take 30 seconds to more advanced options for maximum privacy.

How do you hide apps on Android without deleting them?

You can hide apps on Android without deleting them by using:

• Built-in Hide Apps feature in launcher settings
• A hidden Home Screen folder
• Guest Mode or a second user profile
• Samsung Secure Folder
• A third-party launcher with app hiding built in
• Android Work Profile for complete separation

All methods keep your apps and data completely intact.

6 Methods to Hide Apps on Android Without Deleting Them

Method 1: Use Your Phone’s Built-In Hide Apps Feature (Easiest)

Most Android phones from Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Oppo have a native hide apps option built directly into the launcher settings. This is the fastest method and takes under a minute.

This works on: Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, OnePlus OxygenOS, Oppo ColorOS, Vivo FuntouchOS.

Steps for Samsung:

1. Go to your Home Screen.
2. Pinch inward with two fingers to open Home Screen settings.
3. Tap Home Screen Settings.
4. Select Hide Apps.
5. Tap every app you want to hide.
6. Tap Done.

The apps disappear from your Home Screen and App Drawer completely. They still run in the background, and all data stays intact.

Steps for Xiaomi:

1. Open the Security app on your Xiaomi phone.
2. Tap App Lock.
3. Scroll down and tap Hidden Apps.
4. Toggle on any app you want hidden.
5. Set a password when prompted to protect access.

If you cannot find the Security app, search “Hidden Apps” directly in your Settings search bar.

Steps for OnePlus:

1. Swipe up to open the App Drawer.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Select Hide Apps.
4. Choose apps to hide and tap Apply.

Pro Tip: On Samsung devices, hidden apps are still accessible through the Phone app by dialing a specific code or through Settings. To truly lock them away, combine this method with the Secure Folder in Method 4.

Method 2: Create a Hidden Folder on Your Home Screen

This method works on any Android phone regardless of brand. It does not fully hide apps from the App Drawer, but it removes them from plain sight on your Home Screen by tucking them inside an inconspicuously named folder.

Steps:

1. Long-press the app you want to hide.
2. Drag it on top of another app to create a folder.
3. Add all apps you want hidden into this folder.
4. Long-press the folder name and rename it something boring like “Tools” or “Utilities.”
5. Move the folder to a back Home Screen page that you rarely visit.

Pro Tip: Name the folder something genuinely boring. A folder called “Private” or “Hidden” defeats the purpose entirely. “System Tools” or “Utilities” work well because no one bothers to open them.

Method 3: Use Guest Mode or a Second User Profile

Android’s built-in multi-user feature lets you create a completely separate profile on the same phone. Your main profile’s apps are invisible in Guest Mode, making this the most thorough free solution available.

Steps:

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen.
2. Tap the user icon in the top right corner of Quick Settings.
3. Select Add Guest or Add User.
4. Switch to Guest Mode when handing your phone to someone.
5. Switch back to your main profile using the same menu.

Your main profile and all its apps are completely invisible while Guest Mode is active.

Warning: Guest Mode creates a temporary session. If someone accidentally deletes the Guest profile and creates a new one, any data stored in Guest Mode is lost. Never store important data in a Guest profile.

Method 4: Use Samsung Secure Folder

Samsung’s Secure Folder is the most private method available on Samsung devices. It creates an encrypted, password-protected space where apps are completely invisible to anyone who does not know the password. Even the Secure Folder itself can be hidden.

Steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Search for Secure Folder and tap it.
3. Sign in with your Samsung account to set it up.
4. Once inside Secure Folder, tap Add Apps.
5. Select every app you want to hide privately.
6. Tap Add.
7. To hide the Secure Folder icon itself, go to Secure Folder Settings and toggle off Show Secure Folder.

To access your hidden apps, go to Settings and search Secure Folder, or dial a specific Samsung code.

Pro Tip: Move the app into Secure Folder, then uninstall the original from your main profile. This way, the app exists only within Secure Folder, is completely invisible, and is encrypted. On a Samsung device, this is the gold standard for hiding apps privately. If your Samsung phone is behaving strangely after setting this up, check our guide on Why Is My Android Screen Black But Phone Is On for related troubleshooting.

Method 5: Use a Third-Party Launcher With App Hiding

If your phone does not have a built-in hide apps feature, installing a launcher that supports app hiding is a clean solution. Nova Launcher is the most reliable option with over 50 million downloads.

Steps:

1. Open Google Play Store.
2. Search for Nova Launcher and install it (the free version works fine).
3. Set Nova Launcher as your default launcher when prompted.
4. Long-press any empty space on your Home Screen.
5. Tap Settings.
6. Go to App Drawer.
7. Tap Hide Apps.
8. Select every app you want hidden.
9. Tap the back button to save.

Hidden apps disappear completely from the App Drawer. They are still installed and fully functional, just invisible.

Warning: Third-party launchers change your Home Screen appearance. If you decide to uninstall the launcher later, your Home Screen layout resets. Always note down your layout before switching launchers. If switching launchers slows down your phone, read our guide to 10 Hidden Android Settings Most People Never Enable to optimize performance.

Method 6: Use Android Private Space (Android 15+)

Android 15 introduced Private Space, a built-in secure area where apps stay completely hidden from your main profile. It works similarly to Samsung Secure Folder but is available on stock Android phones, including Pixel devices.

This works on Android 15 and above. Check Settings, About Phone, Android version to confirm.

Steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Security & Privacy.
3. Select Private Space.
4. Tap Set Up Private Space.
5. Create a separate lock or password for it.
6. Add the apps you want to hide inside Private Space.
7. Lock Private Space when done.

Apps inside Private Space are completely hidden and encrypted. They only appear after you unlock the private profile separately.

Pro Tip: Private Space uses a separate Google account by default. This means the apps inside it do not appear in your main Google Play Library, giving you an extra layer of privacy that most other methods cannot match. If you notice battery drain after setting up Private Space, check our guide on How to Fix Android Battery Draining Fast.

Which Method Should You Use?

Samsung phone user: Method 4 (Secure Folder). Most private, built-in, encrypted.

Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo users: Method 1 (Built-in Hide Apps). Already on your phone, it takes 30 seconds.

Any Android 15+ phone: Method 6 (Private Space). Built-in, encrypted, no third-party apps needed.

Handing a phone to someone temporarily: Method 3 (Guest Mode). Fastest complete solution.

Phone has no built-in hide feature: Method 5 (Nova Launcher). Works on any Android. Just want a quick basic hiding: Method 2 (Hidden Folder). No installs needed.

Pro Tips for Hiding Apps on Android

1. Disable notifications for hidden apps

A notification from a hidden app popping up on your lock screen defeats the whole purpose. Go to Settings, find the app, and turn off all notifications. On Samsung devices, apps in Secure Folder handle this automatically.

2. Remove the app from the recent apps history

Some apps appear in your Recent Apps list even when hidden. Open the app once, then swipe it away from Recent Apps. On Samsung, you can lock apps in Recents to prevent them from appearing in the list.

3. Check your Google Play purchase history

Even if an app is hidden on your phone, it still shows up in your Google Play Library and purchase history. If full privacy is a concern, be aware that someone with access to your Google account can still see which apps you have installed. To minimize this, you can archive apps directly from the Play Store instead of hiding them on your Home Screen.

4. Use app locks as an extra layer

Hiding an app removes it from view, but it does not prevent someone who finds it from opening it. Combine hiding with an app lock for true privacy. Samsung’s Secure Folder handles both automatically. For other phones, use a trusted app lock from the Play Store.

Final Thoughts

Hiding apps on Android without deleting them is straightforward once you know where to look. Samsung users should go straight to Secure Folder. It is the most private and easiest option available on Samsung devices. Everyone else, start with your phone’s built-in Hide Apps feature in the launcher settings.

Pick the method that matches your privacy needs, follow the steps, and your apps will be out of sight in under five minutes.

For more Android tips and troubleshooting guides, visit TechFixZone.

Got it working? Drop a comment below and tell me which method worked on your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you hide apps on Android without any third-party apps?

Yes. Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Oppo all have built-in hide app features in their native launchers. Samsung also has Secure Folder built in. If your phone's operating system does not have this feature natively, Android’s Guest Mode provides complete app hiding without installing anything extra.

Will hidden apps still receive notifications?

By default, yes. Hidden apps continue running in the background and still send notifications. To prevent notifications from revealing hidden apps, go to Settings, tap the app, and disable all notifications manually. Apps hidden inside Samsung Secure Folder or an Android Work Profile handle notifications separately from your main profile.

Does hiding an app delete its data?

No. Hiding an app through any method in this guide leaves all app data completely intact. Your accounts, progress, files, and settings remain exactly as they were. The app is simply invisible on your Home Screen and App Drawer.

How do I unhide apps on Android?

Reverse the exact steps you used to hide them. For Samsung’s built-in feature, go to Home Screen Settings, tap Hide Apps, and deselect the apps you want to hide. For Nova Launcher, go to App Drawer settings and remove apps from the hidden list. For Secure Folder, move the app back to your main profile.

What is the difference between hiding apps and using Private Space?

Hiding an app only removes it from your Home Screen or App Drawer, but the app still exists in your main profile and can be found in Settings. Private Space and Samsung Secure Folder are different. They create a completely separate encrypted area where apps are fully isolated and protected with their own password. Anyone looking through your Settings or App Drawer cannot see any apps stored in Private Space or Secure Folder.

Can someone find hidden apps on my Android phone?

It depends on the method. A hidden folder or Home Screen hiding is easy to discover by anyone who carefully looks in Settings or the App Drawer. Samsung Secure Folder and Android Work Profile are genuinely private; they require separate passwords and are encrypted. For true privacy, always use Secure Folder or Work Profile over simple launcher hiding.