Why you might find apps you don't remember installing
Hidden apps on your phone fall into a few categories, and most are not malicious. Some apps hide their icons after installation to run quietly in the background — this is common for parental controls, device management software, or work-issued security tools. Others are pre-installed by your phone's manufacturer or carrier and tucked away in folders. A few are genuinely installed by someone else with access to your device, or downloaded by malware.
The reason to look is straightforward: you cannot protect what you do not see. If an app is running, it is using your battery, your data, and potentially your location or contacts. Knowing what is actually on your device is the first step to deciding what stays.
Key Takeaways
- On Android, open Settings, then Apps or process Manager, and scroll through the full list — hidden apps still appear here even if their icons are removed from your home screen.
- On iPhone, check your App Library (swipe to the rightmost home screen), look inside each category folder, and review your iCloud account's app purchase history in the App Store.
- Both platforms let you sort apps by installation date or size, which can reveal recently added apps you may have forgotten about.
- If you find an app you did not install, check whether it came from your phone's manufacturer, your mobile carrier, or a work account before removing it.
Finding hidden apps on Android
On Android, the most direct route is the Settings app. Open Settings, then look for Apps, process Manager, or Manage Applications — the exact name varies by manufacturer. This list shows every app on your device, including ones with no home screen icon. Scroll through the entire list and note anything unfamiliar.
You can also sort this list by installation date or by size. Apps installed recently will cluster at the top, which can jog your memory about what you added. Large apps are harder to miss, so sorting by size sometimes reveals background tools you forgot about.
If an app's icon is hidden but you want to see it, you can usually long-press the app name in Settings and select Show in Launcher or Create Shortcut. This brings the icon back to your home screen so you can see what it actually does.
Finding hidden apps on iPhone
iPhone does not let apps hide their icons the way Android does, but apps can be moved off your home screen and into the App Library. To see everything, swipe to your rightmost home screen — this is your App Library, organized by category. Open each category folder and scroll through. Every app you have ever installed will appear somewhere here.
You can also check your App Store purchase history. Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap Purchased. This shows every app you have ever downloaded on this Apple ID, even if you deleted it later. If you share an Apple ID with family members, their downloads will appear here too.
For apps installed through work or school accounts, check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Work-issued apps and management profiles appear here, separate from your personal apps.
What to do if you find an unfamiliar app
Before you delete it, determine where it came from. Open the app's details page in your phone's settings. On Android, tap the app name in Settings > Apps, then look for App Details or About. On iPhone, open the App Store, search for the app, and check the developer name and description.
Many unfamiliar apps are legitimate: Samsung phones come with Samsung apps you may never use; Verizon phones include Verizon tools; work phones have company management software. If the app is from your phone's manufacturer, your carrier, or your employer, it is almost certainly safe to leave alone — removing it may break features you rely on.
If the app is from an unknown developer, has no clear purpose, or was installed without your knowledge, you can remove it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, tap the app, and select Uninstall. On iPhone, long-press the app icon in your App Library and select Remove App, then Delete App.
Checking for malware-installed apps
If you find multiple unfamiliar apps, or an app with a generic name like "System Update" or "Settings," malware may be involved. The most reliable check is to restart your phone in Safe Mode, which disables third-party apps and lets you see if the problem persists.
On Android, hold the power button, then long-press Power Off until a menu appears asking about Safe Mode. Tap Safe Mode. On iPhone, restart your phone normally — iPhone does not have a traditional Safe Mode, but you can check whether problems happen in a fresh restart.
If unfamiliar apps reappear after you delete them, or if your phone is slow or draining battery unusually fast, consider running a scan with a reputable mobile security tool like Malwarebytes for Android. These tools are not perfect, but they can catch common malware that your phone's built-in protections miss.
Preventing apps from hiding in the future
Most phones let you control whether apps can hide their icons. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Permissions, then look for Device Admin or Device Administration. This shows which apps have permission to manage your device — a permission that lets them hide icons. You can revoke this permission for any app except those your employer or school requires.
On both platforms, review your app permissions regularly. Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions (Android) or Settings > Privacy (iPhone) and check what each app can access: location, contacts, camera, microphone, and photos. Remove permissions that do not make sense for what the app does.
If you share your phone with family members or if someone else has physical access to it, consider turning on a screen lock if you have not already. A PIN or biometric lock prevents someone from installing apps without your knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an app hide itself completely so it does not show up in Settings?
No. Both Android and iPhone show every installed app in their system settings, even if the icon is hidden from your home screen. The only exception is work-issued management software on a work device, which your employer may have configured to be invisible — but your IT department can tell you what is installed.
Is it safe to delete pre-installed apps from my phone?
It depends on the app. Manufacturer and carrier apps are usually safe to remove, though some may break related features. Work or school apps should not be removed without checking with your IT department first. If you are unsure, disable the app instead of deleting it — go to Settings > Apps, tap the app, and select Disable. You can re-enable it later if you need it.
What if I find an app I installed but completely forgot about?
Check what permissions it has and what it does. Open the app once to see its purpose, then decide whether you use it. If not, delete it — unused apps take up storage and can be a security risk if they are not updated regularly. If you think you might use it later, leaving it installed is fine as long as you trust the developer.
Do I need special software to find hidden apps?
No. Your phone's built-in Settings app shows everything. Third-party security apps can scan for malware, but they cannot find apps that your phone's own system does not know about. Start with Settings before installing anything else.