Where to find the hidden folder feature on your device

Most phones and computers don't have a single "hidden folder" button you flip on. Instead, you create a hidden space yourself, or use a built-in feature designed to keep apps out of your main view. On Android, you can hide apps directly in your launcher settings. On iPhone, you move apps to a separate folder or use the App Library to organize them out of sight. On Windows and Mac, you can create a folder and mark it as hidden, or move apps to a less visible location.

The method you choose depends on what you're trying to do. If you want apps to stay on your device but not show up on your home screen, that's different from making a folder that requires a password to open. Some people hide apps to reduce clutter. Others want actual privacy — meaning the app won't appear in searches or app lists without effort to find it.

Key Takeaways

  • Android phones let you hide apps directly in your launcher by long-pressing the app and selecting a hide option, which varies by phone model and launcher.
  • iPhone users can move apps to the App Library or create a folder and then hide that folder from the home screen to keep apps out of view.
  • Windows computers let you create a hidden folder by right-clicking a new folder, selecting Properties, checking the Hidden box, and clicking Apply.
  • Mac users can hide files and folders using Terminal commands or third-party apps, since macOS doesn't have a built-in hide toggle in Finder.
  • Hiding an app is not the same as password-protecting it — hidden apps can usually still be found through search or settings if someone looks for them.

Hiding apps on Android phones

The steps depend on which launcher your phone uses. Most Android phones come with Google Launcher (also called Pixel Launcher on Google phones) or Samsung's One UI launcher. Open your launcher and long-press the app you want to hide. A menu should appear with options including "Hide app" or "Remove from home screen." Tap that option.

If you don't see a hide option, your launcher may not support it. In that case, you can move the app into a folder instead, or create a folder with a blank name and move apps there. The app stays on your phone and works normally — it just won't appear on your home screen or in your app drawer. You can still find it by searching your phone's search bar or by going into Settings and looking at your full app list.

Some Android phones also have a "Secure Folder" feature (Samsung phones) or "Private Space" (newer Google Pixels). These are more secure than hiding — they require a PIN or biometric to open and create a separate space on your phone where apps and files can live. Setting one up takes a few minutes and involves creating a PIN, but it's more private than simply hiding an app.

Hiding apps on iPhones

iPhones don't have a direct "hide app" feature, but you can move apps out of sight in two ways. The first is to move the app into a folder, then hide that folder from your home screen. Long-press the app, tap "Move App," and drag it into an existing folder or create a new one. Then long-press the folder itself, tap "Edit Home Screen," and tap the minus sign to remove the folder from your home screen. The folder and all its apps stay on your phone but won't show on your home screen.

The second way is to use the App Library, which is the last screen in your app list. Swipe all the way to the right on your home screen to reach it. Apps are organized by category here automatically. You can move an app to the App Library by long-pressing it, tapping "Move App," and selecting "App Library." The app will no longer appear on your home screen but will still be searchable and accessible from the App Library.

Neither method password-protects the app. Anyone with access to your phone can still find it by searching or by looking in the App Library. If you need actual privacy, consider using Screen Time restrictions or a third-party app locker from the App Store, though those require a separate password or biometric.

Creating a hidden folder on Windows

Windows lets you mark any folder as hidden, which removes it from normal view in File Explorer. Right-click in an empty space on your desktop or in a folder where you want to create a new folder. Select "New" and then "Folder." Name it whatever you want — you can use a blank name or a generic name like "System32" to make it less obvious.

Right-click the folder you just created and select "Properties." In the Properties window, check the box next to "Hidden" at the bottom. Click "Apply" and then "OK." The folder will disappear from view in File Explorer. To see it again, open File Explorer, go to the View tab at the top, and check the box for "Hidden items." The folder will reappear.

You can move app shortcuts or files into this hidden folder. The apps themselves stay installed on your computer normally — you're just hiding the shortcut. If you want the folder to be password-protected as well, you'll need to use third-party encryption software like 7-Zip or VeraCrypt, which can create an encrypted container that requires a password to open.

Creating a hidden folder on Mac

macOS doesn't have a simple checkbox to hide folders like Windows does. Instead, you can use Terminal, which is a command-line tool built into every Mac. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space and typing "Terminal"). Type this command: chflags hidden /path/to/folder, replacing "/path/to/folder" with the actual location of your folder. Press Enter, and the folder will become hidden.

To see hidden files and folders in Finder, press Command + Shift + Period (the period key). They'll appear faded or grayed out. Press the same keys again to hide them from view. If you're not comfortable using Terminal, you can download a free app like Finder Preferences or Hidden Files from the App Store that adds a hide toggle to Finder's interface.

Like Windows, hiding a folder on Mac doesn't password-protect it. Anyone who knows the keyboard shortcut can reveal it. For actual privacy, use a tool like Cryptomator or Tresorit to create an encrypted folder that requires a password to open.

The difference between hiding and protecting

Hiding an app or folder makes it less visible, but it's not secure. On any device, a determined person can find a hidden app by searching, by checking your settings, or by using the operating system's built-in tools to show hidden files. Hiding is useful for reducing clutter or keeping something out of casual view, but it's not a privacy tool.

If you need actual privacy — to keep someone from seeing an app or its data — you need password protection or encryption. On Android, use Secure Folder or Private Space. On iPhone, use Screen Time restrictions or a third-party app locker. On Windows and Mac, use encryption software to create a password-protected container. These tools require a PIN or password to access, which makes them genuinely private rather than just hidden.

What happens when you hide an app

When you hide an app, the app itself keeps working normally. Notifications still come through. Background activity continues. The app still uses storage and battery. You're only changing where it appears — removing it from your home screen, app drawer, or file view. If the app is set to run in the background, it will keep running even though you can't see it.

If you hide an app and then forget about it, you might wonder later where it went. You can always find it again by searching your device or by reversing the hiding steps. On Android, long-press the app in your app drawer and select "Show app" or move it back to your home screen. On iPhone, go to the App Library and drag the app back to your home screen. On Windows and Mac, enable the view for hidden files and folders, then move the shortcut or folder back to a visible location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide an app so no one can find it even if they search?

Not completely. Hiding removes an app from your home screen or file view, but searching your device will usually still find it. For real privacy, you need password protection or encryption. Use Secure Folder on Android, Screen Time restrictions on iPhone, or encryption software on Windows and Mac.

If I hide an app, does it stop running in the background?

No. Hiding an app only changes where it appears on your device. The app continues to run, send notifications, and use battery and data just like before. If you want to stop an app from running, you need to close it or disable it in your device settings.

Will hiding an app delete it?

No. Hiding moves an app out of view but keeps it installed on your device. All your data in that app stays there. You can unhide it anytime by reversing the hiding steps, and everything will be exactly as you left it.

Can I hide an app on a shared computer or phone?

You can hide it from your own view, but anyone else with access to the device can usually find it by enabling hidden files or by searching. If you need to keep something private on a shared device, use password protection or a separate user account instead of just hiding.

What's the difference between hiding an app and uninstalling it?

Hiding keeps the app on your device but out of view. Uninstalling removes it completely, freeing up storage and stopping it from running. Hiding is useful if you want to keep an app but don't use it often. Uninstalling is better if you don't need the app at all.