How you can hide apps on an Android and iPhone device

Priya BhadaurjaJanuary 23, 2023

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Hide apps on an Android and iPhone device- Hiding apps on your smartphone can be useful for decluttering your home screen and for keeping certain apps private. Whether you’re using an Android or iPhone device, the process for hiding apps is relatively similar. In this article, we will go through the steps for hiding apps on both Android and iPhone devices. It’s important to note that hiding apps will not uninstall them from your device, you will still be able to access them through the app drawer or the App Library.

Here’s how you can hide apps on an Android device:

Go to the home screen of your device and find the app you want to hide.
Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears.
Select “App info” or “Uninstall” from the menu.
Tap on “Disable” or “Uninstall” if it’s an in-built app.
If it’s a third-party app, you can simply drag it to the “App info” or “Uninstall” button.
The app will be hidden from your home screen, but it will still be available in your app drawer.

Here’s how you can hide apps on an iPhone:

Go to the home screen of your device and find the app you want to hide.
Press and hold the app icon until it starts to jiggle.
Tap on the “x” button that appears on the app icon.
Confirm that you want to hide the app.
The app will be hidden from your home screen, but it will still be available in the App Library or in the search bar.

Note: The above methods will hide apps from your home screen but not uninstall them from your device. You can still access the apps by searching for them in the app drawer or the App Library. Also, some apps might not have the option to be disabled or uninstalled, those apps are the pre-installed ones and you can only hide them.

Another method to hide apps on Android device is by using a launcher, most of the launchers have the option to hide apps within their settings. Here is an example of how to use a launcher to hide apps:

Install a launcher of your choice from the Google Play Store.
Open the launcher and go to the settings.
Look for the option to hide apps or manage apps.
Select the apps you want to hide.
The apps will be hidden from the home screen, but you can still access them through the app drawer or the search bar within the launcher.

On iPhone, you can also use third-party apps to hide apps, such as the Hidden apps. This app allows you to password protect apps and hide them behind a calculator app icon.

It’s important to note that while hiding apps can provide some level of privacy, it’s not a foolproof method of protecting your data. If someone has access to your device, they may still be able to find the hidden apps. Additionally, it’s also a good practice to use a password or Touch ID/Face ID to lock your device to prevent unauthorized access.

Another thing to consider is that hiding apps on your device may not be enough to protect your privacy if you’re trying to keep certain apps or information private. If you want to keep your data truly private, you should also consider using a passcode or Touch ID/Face ID to lock your device and using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection. Additionally, you should be mindful of the permissions that apps are asking for and only grant permission to apps that you trust.

Additionally, it’s also a good idea to keep your device updated to the latest software version. Software updates often include security patches that can help protect your device against known vulnerabilities.

It’s also worth noting that hiding apps is not a replacement for monitoring your device usage or setting limits on it. Many smartphones have built-in tools to help you monitor your usage, such as screen time, which can help you track how much time you’re spending on your device and specific apps.

In conclusion, while hiding apps on your device can help you declutter your home screen and keep certain apps private, it’s not a foolproof method of protecting your data. To truly protect your privacy, you should also consider using a passcode or Touch ID/Face ID, using a VPN, being mindful of the permissions that apps are asking for, and keeping your device updated to the latest software version.