Where hidden apps actually hide on your phone
Hidden apps on Android and iPhone don't disappear from your device — they just don't show up on your home screen. On Android, the most common place is inside a folder you create yourself, or in the app drawer (the grid icon that shows all installed apps). On iPhone, hidden apps live in the App Library, which you reach by swiping all the way right past your home screens, or they're straightforward moved off your home screen but still installed.
Some phones also have a "find Folder" (Samsung) or "App Vault" (some Android phones) where apps can be locked behind a PIN or fingerprint. These are intentional hiding spots built into the phone itself. The key difference: a hidden app is still running and using storage; it's just not visible in the places you normally look.
A few apps can also hide their icons entirely using settings within the app itself — for example, some messaging or social apps let you turn off the home screen icon while keeping the app installed. This requires going into the app's own settings, not your phone's settings.
Key Takeaways
- On Android, check your app drawer (the grid icon) and any folders on your home screen; on iPhone, swipe right to the App Library to see all installed apps.
- Samsung phones and some Android devices have a find Folder or App Vault where apps can be hidden behind a PIN or fingerprint.
- Some apps let you hide their own icons through their settings, so search for the app name in your phone's settings or search bar even if you don't see it on screen.
- Use your phone's built-in storage or app management settings to see a complete list of every app installed, including ones you may have forgotten about.
Finding hidden apps on Android phones
Start with your app drawer. On most Android phones, tap the grid icon (usually at the bottom of your home screen) to open it. This shows every app installed on your device, including ones you've hidden from your home screen. Scroll through the full list — you may be surprised what's there.
Next, check for folders. Swipe through all your home screens and look for any folder icons. Tap each one to see what's inside. People often hide apps by putting them in a folder labeled something generic like "Tools" or "Utilities."
If your phone is a Samsung, look for find Folder. Swipe down from the top to open your notification panel, then tap Settings. Go to Biometrics and Security, then find Folder. If it's set up, you'll need the PIN or fingerprint to open it, but you can see that it exists. Other Android manufacturers may have similar features under different names — look in Settings under Security or Privacy.
Finally, use your phone's search function. Swipe down from the top of your home screen and type the name of an app you suspect is hidden. If it's installed, it will show up in the results even if the icon isn't on your home screen.
Finding hidden apps on iPhones
On iPhone, the main place to look is the App Library. From your home screen, swipe right until you reach the rightmost screen — that's your App Library. It shows every app installed on your phone, organized by category. Scroll through each category to see what's there.
You can also search for apps directly. Swipe down from the top of your home screen to open Spotlight Search, then type the app name. If it's installed, it will appear in the results.
Check your home screens themselves. An app might be hidden straightforward by being on a screen you don't normally visit. Swipe left and right through all your screens to see everything.
iPhones don't have a built-in "hidden folder" feature like Android's find Folder, but some people use Screen Time to restrict access to apps. Go to Settings, then Screen Time. If Screen Time is turned on, tap App Limits or Allowed Apps to see if any apps have been restricted from view.
Checking your phone's storage and app settings
Both Android and iPhone let you see every installed app through your phone's main settings. On Android, go to Settings, then Apps (or process Manager, depending on your phone). This shows a complete list of every app on your device, including system apps you didn't install yourself. You can see how much storage each app uses and when it was last opened.
On iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage. This lists every app installed, sorted by size. You'll see apps you may have completely forgotten about, especially ones that don't take up much space.
This method is useful because it shows apps that might be completely invisible — ones with no icon at all, or ones so old you've stopped thinking about them. It's also the most reliable way to see your complete app inventory.
Why someone might hide an app
There are legitimate reasons to hide apps. You might hide a banking app to keep it out of sight from someone who borrows your phone. You might hide a work app so your personal home screen stays personal. You might hide a game you're embarrassed about, or a dating app you prefer to keep private.
The concern arises when an app is hidden without your knowledge. If you find an app you don't remember installing, that's worth investigating. Check when it was installed (visible in your app settings), what permissions it has (go to Settings, then Privacy or Permissions), and whether you recognize the developer name.
If you find an app you didn't install and don't recognize, you can uninstall it directly from your app settings. On Android, long-press the app in your app drawer and select Uninstall. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, iPhone Storage, find the app, tap it, and select Offload or Delete App.
What to do if you find an unfamiliar app
An unfamiliar app doesn't automatically mean your phone is compromised, but it's worth understanding what it does. Search the app name online along with "what is this app" or "is this safe." Many system apps have confusing names, and you may find it's something your phone installed automatically.
Check the app's permissions. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, select the app, then Permissions. On iPhone, go to Settings, Privacy, and scroll through each category (Camera, Microphone, Location, etc.) to see which apps have access to what. An app that has no business accessing your camera or location is a red flag.
If you're certain you didn't install it and you don't recognize the developer, uninstall it. You can always reinstall it later if you change your mind. If you're concerned about how it got there, consider running a malware scan using a reputable security app, though most phones built in the last few years are resistant to traditional malware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can apps hide themselves without me knowing?
Most mainstream apps cannot hide themselves completely — they'll always appear in your app drawer or App Library. However, an app could theoretically hide its icon while remaining installed. The only way to catch this is to check your phone's app settings list, which shows every installed app regardless of whether it has a visible icon.
Is it normal for my phone to have apps I don't remember installing?
Yes. System apps come pre-installed by your phone manufacturer, and you may have installed apps years ago and forgotten about them. Check the install date in your app settings. If an app was installed recently and you have no memory of it, that's worth investigating further.
What if I find an app that looks like a system app but I don't recognize it?
Search the app name online to see what it actually does. Many system apps have technical names that don't make their purpose obvious. If it's genuinely a system app, you usually can't uninstall it anyway — you can only disable it. If you can uninstall it and you don't recognize it, uninstalling is safe.
Do I need special tools to find hidden apps?
No. Your phone's built-in app settings and search functions are enough. You don't need to read a separate app to see what's installed on your device — in fact, downloading an unknown "security" app is riskier than the problem you're trying to solve.
Can someone else hide apps on my phone remotely?
Not without physical access to your phone or knowledge of your password. If you're concerned someone has accessed your phone, change your passwords, enable two-factor authentication on important accounts, and consider a factory reset if you believe your phone has been compromised.