Why you might want to hide an app
Hiding an app removes it from your home screen and app drawer, but the app stays installed and keeps working. You might hide an app to reduce clutter, keep certain apps private from people who use your phone, or organize your screen to show only the tools you use regularly. The app itself continues to receive updates and notifications unless you turn those off separately.
On most phones, hidden apps are still accessible — you just have to know where to find them. The method varies depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android device, and some Android phones have different steps depending on the manufacturer.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, you move an app to the App Library (the last screen) or delete it from your home screen while keeping it installed.
- On Android, you can hide apps through your launcher settings, disable them in system settings, or use a third-party launcher with a hide feature.
- Hidden apps still receive notifications and updates unless you turn those off in the app's settings.
- If you forget where you hid an app, you can search for it by name or restore it to your home screen from your phone's settings.
Hiding apps on iPhone
On iPhone, the simplest method is to move the app to your App Library, which is the last screen that appears when you swipe all the way right. Press and hold the app icon, tap "Remove App," then choose "Move to App Library." The app stays installed and works normally, but it no longer appears on your home screens.
If you want the app completely off your home screen but still visible in search, you can also delete it from your home screen without deleting it from your phone. Press and hold the app, tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen." You can still find it by swiping down and searching for the app name, or by opening the App Library and scrolling to the category where it belongs.
To bring a hidden app back to your home screen, open the App Library, find the app, press and hold it, then tap "Add to Home Screen." You can also search for the app by name and add it from there.
Hiding apps on Android with your phone's launcher
Most Android phones let you hide apps directly from your launcher — the screen that shows all your apps. Open your app drawer (usually a grid icon at the bottom of your home screen), then press and hold the app you want to hide. Look for an option that says "Hide," "Remove," or "Hide from Home Screen." The exact wording depends on your phone's manufacturer.
If you don't see a hide option when you press and hold, go to your launcher's settings instead. Open your app drawer, look for a settings icon (usually three dots or a gear), and tap it. Find the option for "Hide apps" or "App visibility," then check the boxes next to the apps you want to hide. Save your changes.
To unhide an app, go back to the same settings menu and uncheck the app's box. It will reappear in your app drawer.
Hiding apps on Android through system settings
If your launcher doesn't have a hide feature, you can disable apps through your phone's main settings. Open Settings, go to Apps (or Application Manager), find the app you want to hide, and tap it. Look for a button that says "Disable" or "Turn Off." This removes the app from your app drawer and home screen, though it may still appear in your settings.
Be careful with this method — disabling system apps or apps that other programs depend on can cause problems. Stick to hiding apps you installed yourself, like social media or games. If you disable something and your phone starts acting strangely, go back to Settings, find the app, and tap "Enable" to turn it back on.
Some phones also let you "uninstall updates" for built-in apps, which hides them without fully disabling them. This is safer than disabling if you're unsure.
Using a third-party launcher to hide apps
If your phone's built-in launcher doesn't have a hide feature, you can download a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Niagara Launcher from the Google Play Store. These apps replace your home screen and app drawer with their own version, and most include a hide feature.
After you install a third-party launcher, open it and go to its settings to find the hide or app visibility option. The steps vary by launcher, but the process is usually similar to what's built into most Android phones. You can switch back to your phone's original launcher at any time by going to Settings, Apps, Default Apps (or similar), and selecting your original launcher.
Third-party launchers also let you organize your home screen in different ways, create folders, and customize how your phone looks — hiding apps is just one feature among many.
What happens to notifications and updates when you hide an app
Hiding an app does not stop it from sending notifications. If you want to silence an app you've hidden, go to your phone's Settings, find Notifications, search for the app by name, and turn off notifications there. You can also choose to allow notifications but turn off sounds and vibrations.
Hidden apps continue to receive updates from the app store just like visible apps do. If you want to prevent an app from updating automatically, go to your phone's app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store), find the app, and turn off automatic updates in its settings.
Finding a hidden app if you forget where it is
The fastest way to find a hidden app is to search for it by name. On iPhone, swipe down from the top of your home screen and type the app's name. On Android, swipe down from the top of your home screen or open Google Search and type the app's name. Your phone will show the app even if it's hidden, and you can open it from there.
If you want to see all your hidden apps at once, go to your phone's settings. On iPhone, open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage — this shows every app installed on your phone, including hidden ones. On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, and look for a filter or menu option that shows hidden or disabled apps. The exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else see my hidden apps if they use my phone?
Not unless they search for the app by name or dig into your phone's settings. Hidden apps don't appear on your home screen or in your app drawer, so someone casually browsing won't find them. If you want stronger privacy, consider using your phone's built-in parental controls or a separate user account.
Will hiding an app stop it from using my phone's storage or battery?
No. Hidden apps still use storage space and can drain your battery if they're running in the background. Hiding only removes the app from your home screen and app drawer. If you want to stop an app from using resources, you need to uninstall it, disable it, or turn off its background activity in your phone's settings.
What's the difference between hiding an app and disabling it?
Hiding removes an app from your home screen and app drawer but leaves it fully installed and working. Disabling turns off the app so it can't run at all and removes it from your app drawer. Disabled apps take up less battery and memory, but you can't use them until you re-enable them. Hiding is better if you want to keep using the app but just don't want to see it.
Can I hide apps on my work phone or school-issued device?
It depends on whether your organization has set restrictions on your phone. Some work and school phones have management software that prevents you from hiding certain apps or changing your home screen. If you try to hide an app and the option doesn't appear, your phone's administrator may have locked that feature. Contact your IT department or device administrator to ask what you're allowed to change.
If I hide an app, will it still show up in my app store's "My Apps" or "Installed Apps" list?
Yes. Hidden apps still appear in your app store's list of installed apps because they're still installed on your phone. Hiding only affects where the app shows up on your home screen and app drawer, not whether your phone recognizes it as installed.