How to hide apps on Android devices
It’s annoying when your screen is cluttered with app icons you don’t use. I often get confused when I have too many apps downloaded. You can organize it on your home screen but everything’s jumbled in the app drawer. But there’s a fix. If you’re looking for ways on how to hide apps on Android, then you’re in luck because I can teach you how to do it step-by-step.
You can hide your app icons. This way, you can keep your phone organized without disabling or deleting any apps. To help you, I compiled a guide on how to hide apps on Android. Now, you won’t have to worry about a messy app drawer.
See also: Best folder apps for Android for organizing and accessing apps efficiently
Hiding apps on Android devices
1. Check your phone features
On most phones, you can delete app icons from the home screen without deleting the apps itself. But you can also hide apps on Android devices directly via the app drawer.
Step 1: Open your app drawer
On most phones it’s the button on the center of your screen named “Apps.”
Step 2: Go to your home screen settings
Tap the “Menu” button on the screen and select “Settings.”
Step 3: Tap hide apps.
Step 4: Select the app icons you want to hide
Check the corresponding boxes for the app icons you want to hide. Once your done, accept then it’s done!
2. Change your default launcher to hide app icons
If you’re unable to hide apps on your Android device, changing your launcher is a good workaround. If the term “launcher” doesn’t sound familiar, an Android launcher is the app that controls your Android device’s layout, the look of your Home screen, and your app drawer.
Most Android launchers will allow you to hide icons. I’ll made a guide below for using the Apex Launcher to hide your apps.
If Apex Launcher isn’t what you had in mind, good alternatives are Nova Launcher Prime, ADW Launcher, and Go Launcher. Installation and usage is similar to what I’ll describe below.
Download: Nova Launcher Prime
Download: ADW.Launcher 2
Download: Go Launcher
Here’s how to get rid of app icons by using the Apex Launcher, which is free to download from the Play Store.
Step 1: Install and open
Install the launcher and open it by pressing your Home button afterward.
Step 2: Choose your default launcher
Select the launcher. You will now have a different Home screen, depending on which launcher you chose.
Step 3: Visit your launcher settings
For Apex, open “Apex settings” on your device, and tap “Drawer settings.” Many launchers also allow you to hide apps and app icons from within the launcher menu.
Step 4: Select hidden apps
Tap “Hidden Apps.” From here, you can check and uncheck the app icons that you would like to hide.
Of course, you can try other options if you don’t like Apex Launcher, and there’s a decent number of Android launchers out there.
3. Using Hide App – Hide Application Icon
There are loads of different apps available on the Play Store which can hide apps on Android. One such example is the Hide App – Hide Application Icon.
Step 1: Download and open
Install and launch Hide App – Hide Application Icon. This app requires no rooting.
Step 2: Tap the “Add” icon
You’ll see a square that contains a plus sign. Tap it.
Step 3: Choose the apps you want to hide
You’ll move into a new screen where you can select which app you want to hide by tapping the box across its name.
After choosing and tapping “Save“, it will show you the list of apps you’ve hidden for reference.
4. Using an app hider
This app also doesn’t require root, and it will help you get rid of those built-in carrier apps as well. It also does what you want it to do: hide apps on Android devices.
Note: I tested the app, but when I try to get screenshots, all I get is a black image. The App Hider works, so don’t worry.
Step 1: Install and open app hider
Step 2: Select the app(s)
Tap the plus sign at the bottom part of your screen and select the apps you want to hide.
Step 3: Select “Import”
A popup will appear, explaining the next step. To hide an app, you need to import it.
Step 4: Hide the app
After importing, click the icon you want to hide, and tap “Hide.”
The “App Hider” app creates a clone of the app you choose and prompts you to delete the app in the home screen. You can still access the app you’ve “hidden” anytime you want with all your data still intact.
5. Use app lockers
App lockers allow you to lock any app you want and only access it with a password, PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. These applications allow you to store photos, files, and apps, in a hidden vault.
Note: I’ll be using AppLocker as an example, but there are many other apps you can choose from in the Google Play Store.
Step 1: Install and open
Download and install AppLocker by BGNmobi
Step 2: Create a pattern for your device
AppLocker will prompt you to repeat this pattern to confirm.
Step 3: Save a security email
AppLock will request you to enter and save your email address. After that, the app will install updates, if there are any.
Step 4: Select the apps
Under the “ALL APPS” tab, you can select which programs you want to lock and hide.
Step 5: Permit usage access
AppLock will take you into the setting where you can provide access to the app, so you can still use your app even if it’s hidden inside the AppLocker.
6. Disable pre-installed apps
Pre-installed apps can be problematic, especially if it’s built like bloatware. Its best to disable these types of apps, and doing so will increase your phone’s performance. I’ll show you how to do it below.
It can often be challenging to rid your phone of bloatware completely, but you can still hide its app icons. In some cases, you have an option to uninstall them, but most of the time, you will only be able to disable the app if you aren’t rooted.
Step 1: Go to settings
Open the “Apps” or “Applications” menu on your device.
Step 2: Open “Apps”
Step 3: Choose the app
Tap the app whose icon you would like to hide.
Step 4: Tap “Disable”
Doing this will remove the icon from your system until you decide to change it back. If you can’t delete the app from your device completely, you can just disable and ignore it.
FAQs
What apps should I hide?
You can cover all the apps you want, but we recommend hiding the pre-installed apps that you don’t use. You can disable those as well, but managing the icons is much faster.
Do I need root to hide my apps?
In most cases, no. But if you want to use third-party applications to hide your apps, you might consider rooting your device since some of them requires this permission.
What is the fastest way to hide my app icons?
This process may vary on phones, but here you go: Go to your home screen, tap the three dots on the upper right corner, select Settings, and look for Hide apps. Now, you can select which icons you wish to cover.
Conclusion
We all have a different definition of essential apps when it comes to our phones and tablets. But it’s all the same when apps clutter your home screen and your app drawer. You can either organize it and optimize it, but if you don’t need an app, and if you can download it whenever you need it, then don’t keep it on your phone.
After reading this article, you should now have a better idea of how to hide apps on Android devices without root access.
If I missed an easy way to hide your app icons, or if you have questions, let me know in the comments below!
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Thanks for the regular delivery of tips. Unfortunately, none of these work on Nexus 6 with Marshmalow 6.0.1 – I am not familiar with rooting, either.
Looking forward to your next mail!
Hi Pablo,
You´re welcome for the tips and for subscribing. How unfortunate to hear about the tips not working, but Android 6.0 might still be too buggy and that could be why they didn´t work. Is rooting an option for you? Thanks for commenting. =-)
@pablo I have the Nexus 5x running 6.0.1. Both methods 2 and 3 work for me. I am able to disable the preinstalled Google apps (YouTube, Gmail and the others). I can press and hold the app icon on the homescreen and there is a window that pops up; app info is an option. Following that link, I am taken to the application manager and disable is an option. Alternatively, I can get to the same spot by heading through the settings and to the application manager, searching for the app and disabling it.
I can also use my launcher (Nova Prime) to hide the apps in my app drawer.
How far into the method are you getting before it isn’t working? Which method?
Which is the best app or system by an non Android friendly user can hide any any app from in screen
I have found your article very informative and interesting. I appreciate your points of view and I agree with so many. You’ve done a great job with making this clear enough for anyone to understand.
Thanks for sharing this comprehensive blog. I have question for you. What happen if i forget my app locker pattern or password?
Hi Riya,
If you forgot your app locker pattern or password, you simply won’t be able to use the apps that you have set to work it with.
Hi .. is game launcher an app to hide personal data?
Hi Sierra, game launcher is not an app to hide personal data. There are other apps that will let you do that such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hideitpro