Why and how to hide an process from your home screen or app list
Hiding an process removes it from your home screen, app drawer, or Start menu — but the program stays installed and can still run. You might hide an app because you use it rarely, want to reduce clutter, need to keep something private from other people who use your device, or straightforward prefer not to see it every day. The method depends on your operating system: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android each have different steps.
Hidden apps are not deleted. You can still launch them by searching for the name, opening it from a file manager, or unhiding it later. This is different from uninstalling, which removes the program entirely.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, you can hide apps from the Start menu by right-clicking them and selecting "Unpin from Start" or by adjusting visibility in Settings.
- On macOS, moving an process to a folder or using Launchpad preferences lets you hide apps from view without deleting them.
- On iPhone and iPad, you can hide apps in the App Library or use Screen Time restrictions to prevent them from appearing on your home screen.
- On Android, most phones let you hide apps through the app drawer settings, though the exact method varies by manufacturer.
- A hidden app still runs and receives updates — hiding only changes what you see, not what the device does.
Hiding applications on Windows 10 and Windows 11
The simplest way to hide an app on Windows is to remove it from your Start menu. Right-click the app tile in the Start menu, then select Unpin from Start. The app disappears from the menu but remains installed on your computer.
If you want to hide an app more completely, you can move it to a folder on your desktop or in your Documents folder, then delete the shortcut from the Start menu. The program itself stays on your hard drive in its original location (usually Program Files), but you will not see it in everyday navigation.
For apps installed from the Microsoft Store, you can also hide them by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, finding the app in the list, clicking it, and selecting Uninstall if you want to remove it entirely. If you only want to hide it, unpinning from Start is the faster option.
Hiding applications on macOS
On a Mac, the most common way to hide an app is to move it out of the Applications folder into a subfolder you create. Open Finder, navigate to Applications, create a new folder (File > New Folder), name it something like "Hidden Apps" or "Archived", then drag applications into that folder. They will no longer appear in Launchpad or Spotlight search results at the top level.
You can also use Launchpad to hide apps. Open Launchpad, hold down the Option key, and click the minus sign that appears on any app icon. This removes it from Launchpad view without uninstalling it. To find the app later, use Spotlight search (Command + Space) and type the app name.
If you want to keep an app in Applications but hide it from Spotlight, right-click the app, select Get Info, and check the box next to Exclude from Spotlight. The app stays installed but will not appear in search results.
Hiding applications on iPhone and iPad
On iOS and iPadOS, you can hide apps using the App Library, which automatically organizes all your apps into categories. Swipe to your last home screen, then swipe right to reach the App Library. Long-press any app and select Remove App, then choose Remove from Home Screen. The app moves to the App Library but stays installed and can still receive notifications and updates.
To find a hidden app, open the App Library and scroll through the categories, or use Spotlight search by swiping down from the top of the screen and typing the app name. You can also unhide an app by finding it in the App Library, long-pressing it, and selecting Add to Home Screen.
For stronger privacy, you can use Screen Time to hide apps entirely. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, enable restrictions, then go to Allowed Apps and toggle off any app you want to hide. Hidden apps will not appear anywhere on the device, though this method is more restrictive than straightforward removing them from the home screen.
Hiding applications on Android
Most Android phones let you hide apps through the app drawer. Open your app drawer (the grid icon on your home screen), long-press the app you want to hide, and look for an option like Hide, Disable, or Remove from Home. The exact wording and location depend on your phone's manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others have slightly different interfaces.
If your phone does not have a built-in hide option, you can create a folder on your home screen, move the app into it, and then hide the folder. Long-press the folder and select Hide or move it to a screen you rarely visit.
Some Android phones also let you disable apps through Settings > Apps. Find the app, tap it, and select Disable or Turn off. This removes it from your app drawer and stops it from running in the background, though you can re-enable it later through the same menu.
What happens to a hidden process
A hidden app continues to work exactly as before. It still receives updates, can send notifications, and runs in the background if it is designed to do so. Hiding only changes what you see on your screen — it does not affect the app's function or your device's performance.
If you hide an app that runs a service (like a messaging app or email client), it will still deliver messages and alerts even though you cannot see it in your app list. You can still open it by searching for it by name or by accessing it through another app that links to it.
Unhiding an process when you need it again
To unhide an app on Windows, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, select All apps, find the app in the alphabetical list, right-click it, and select Pin to Start. On macOS, move the app back to your Applications folder or re-enable it in Spotlight. On iPhone, find it in the App Library and select Add to Home Screen. On Android, open your app drawer settings and select Show or Enable.
If you cannot find the app in these locations, use your device's search function to locate it by name, then unhide it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hiding an app delete it from my device?
No. Hiding removes the app from view but leaves it installed on your device. The program files remain on your hard drive or storage, and you can unhide it at any time. Uninstalling is different — that removes the app completely.
Can I hide an app so other people cannot see it?
Hiding from the home screen or app list provides basic privacy, but someone with access to your device can still find it by searching for the app name or accessing your device settings. For stronger privacy on shared devices, use Screen Time (iOS) or parental controls (Android) to restrict visibility more completely.
Will a hidden app still send me notifications?
Yes. Hiding an app does not stop it from sending notifications, running background tasks, or receiving updates. If you want to prevent notifications, you need to turn them off in the app's settings or in your device's notification settings.
What if I forget which apps I have hidden?
Use your device's search function to look for apps by name. On Windows, search the Start menu. On Mac, use Spotlight (Command + Space). On iPhone, swipe down and search. On Android, search in your app drawer or settings. You can also check your device's app management settings to see a complete list of installed apps.
Can I hide built-in apps like Settings or Camera?
On most devices, built-in apps cannot be hidden or uninstalled — they are part of the operating system. You can remove them from your home screen or app drawer, but they will remain on your device. Some Android phones allow you to disable certain built-in apps, though this may affect device function.