How to Hide Apps on Your Phone

The apps on your phone reveal a lot about you — your interests, habits, health conditions, and financial situation. Banking apps, health trackers, dating apps — it is perfectly reasonable to want some apps out of sight when lending your phone to someone.

Here is how to hide apps on both iPhone and Android.

How to Hide Apps on iPhone

Method 1: Remove from Home Screen (Keep in App Library)

Since iOS 14, you can remove apps from the Home Screen without deleting them.

1. Long-press the app icon
2. Tap "Remove App"
3. Select "Remove from Home Screen" (not Delete)

The app remains in the App Library, accessible by swiping to the last Home Screen page or using search.

Method 2: Hide Entire Home Screen Pages

Group apps on a single page, then hide that page.

1. Long-press on an empty area of the Home Screen (edit mode)
2. Tap the page dots at the bottom
3. Uncheck the page you want to hide
4. Tap Done

Method 3: Screen Time Restrictions

1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions
2. Under Allowed Apps, toggle off apps you want to hide
3. Disabled apps disappear from both the Home Screen and App Library

This works for built-in apps (Safari, Camera, etc.) only.

Method 4: Bury in Nested Folders

1. Create a folder and put the app inside
2. Move the app to the second or third page within the folder
3. Place the folder in an inconspicuous location

Not true hiding, but effective against casual browsing.

How to Hide Apps on Android

Method 1: Samsung Built-in Hide Feature

Samsung Galaxy devices have a native app hiding feature.

1. Swipe up on the Home Screen to open the App Drawer
2. Tap the three-dot menu (top right)
3. Tap "Settings" → "Hide apps"
4. Select apps to hide → Apply

Hidden apps will not appear in the App Drawer, but they are still visible in Settings → Apps.

Method 2: Samsung Secure Folder

A more powerful approach:

1. Settings → Biometrics and Security → Secure Folder
2. Install apps directly inside Secure Folder
3. Apps are completely isolated from the main area
4. You can even hide the Secure Folder icon itself

Method 3: Third-Party Launchers

Custom launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher offer app hiding.

1. Install the launcher and set it as default
2. Go to launcher settings → "Hide Apps" or "App Drawer Settings"
3. Select apps to hide

Method 4: Guest Mode

The most reliable method when lending your phone.

1. Settings → System → Multiple Users
2. Add a Guest profile
3. In Guest mode, none of your apps, data, or photos are visible

Why People Hide Apps

There is sometimes a negative stigma around hiding apps, but the reasons are overwhelmingly practical.

Reason	Examples
Financial privacy	Investment apps, banking, crypto wallets
Health information	Mental health apps, medical apps, period trackers
Career-related	Job search apps, LinkedIn while employed
Personal hobbies	Niche community apps, gaming
Child safety	Hiding payment apps, settings from children
Surprise planning	Shopping apps, event planning apps

Hiding Apps vs. Locking Apps

These are different approaches with different strengths.

Comparison	Hiding Apps	Locking Apps
Function	Not visible in app list/icons	Requires authentication to open
Security level	Medium (findable if searched)	High (cannot open without auth)
Best for	Casual privacy	Sensitive data protection

The best approach combines both: hide + lock.

Additional Privacy Tips

Manage Notification Previews

Hiding an app is pointless if its notifications show content on the lock screen.

• iPhone: Settings → Notifications → Select app → Show Previews: "When Unlocked"
• Android: Settings → Notifications → Lock screen notifications: "Hide content"

Share Sensitive Information Through Encrypted Channels

Sensitive data stored in apps — passwords, account numbers, private notes — should not be shared through iMessage or Messenger where it persists in chat history. LOCK.PUB lets you share this information through password-protected memos with automatic expiration, leaving no permanent trace.

Summary

Hiding apps on your phone is a reasonable privacy measure. On iPhone, use App Library and Screen Time. On Android, use built-in hiding and Secure Folder. Guest Mode is the most thorough solution for lending your phone. For sharing sensitive information, use encrypted channels with expiration.

Share sensitive information safely.

Create a Secret Memo