Why you might want to hide an app
Hiding an app removes it from your home screen or app drawer so it does not show up when someone picks up your device. The app itself stays installed and keeps working — you can still open it if you know where to look. People hide apps for different reasons: keeping work apps separate from personal use, preventing accidental taps from children, or straightforward decluttering a crowded screen.
The method you use depends on what device you have and what you are trying to accomplish. Some phones let you hide apps directly in settings. Others require you to move them into folders or use built-in features like app libraries. Computers work differently again — you can hide applications from your Programs menu or use workspace tools to keep them out of sight.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, you can hide apps by removing them from your home screen, moving them to a folder, or using the App Library to keep them organized but out of view.
- On Android, the method depends on your phone model — some phones have a hide feature in settings, while others require you to use folders or a third-party launcher.
- On Windows, you can unpin apps from the Start menu, move shortcuts to a separate folder, or use Task Scheduler to prevent programs from launching automatically.
- On Mac, you can move applications to a hidden folder, use Finder to organize them, or rely on Spotlight search to keep them accessible without cluttering your dock.
- Hiding an app does not uninstall it or stop it from running in the background — it only removes it from your visible app list.
Hiding apps on iPhone
The simplest way to hide an app on iPhone is to remove it from your home screen. Press and hold the app icon, tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen." The app stays installed and appears in your App Library — a searchable collection at the far right of your home screens — but does not clutter your main view.
If you want the app even less visible, you can move it into a folder. Create a folder by dragging one app onto another, then drag the app you want to hide into that folder. Name the folder something generic like "Utilities" or "Tools." The app is still there, but someone scrolling your home screen is less likely to notice it.
For maximum separation, use the App Library feature. Swipe all the way to the right past your home screens and you will see the App Library, which automatically sorts your apps into categories. Any app you remove from your home screen appears here and can be found by searching or browsing by category. This keeps your home screens clean while keeping the app one search away.
Hiding apps on Android
Android phones vary by manufacturer, so the exact steps depend on whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or another brand. On Samsung phones, open Settings, go to Apps, select the app you want to hide, and look for a "Hide app" or "Disable" option. On Google Pixel phones, long-press the app icon on your home screen and select "Remove from Home Screen" — the app moves to your app drawer but stays installed.
If your phone does not have a built-in hide feature, create a folder on your home screen and move the app into it. Long-press an empty area of your home screen, select "Create Folder," and drag the app into the new folder. You can name the folder anything — the app is hidden from casual view but still accessible when you open the folder.
Some Android users prefer a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which offer more control over which apps appear on your home screen and app drawer. These launchers let you hide apps completely from the drawer while keeping them installed. read the launcher from the Google Play Store, set it as your default launcher in Settings, and use its settings to hide specific apps.
Hiding apps on Windows
On Windows, hiding an app usually means removing it from your Start menu or taskbar so it does not appear when you click the Windows button. Right-click the app in your Start menu and select "Unpin from Start." The program stays installed on your computer — you can still open it by searching for it or navigating to its folder — but it no longer shows in your main app list.
If you want to go further, create a folder in a less obvious location and move the app's shortcut there. Open File Explorer, navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming, and create a new folder. You can then move shortcuts to programs into this folder. The programs still run normally, but you have to navigate to that folder to launch them instead of finding them in your Start menu.
For apps that launch automatically when you start your computer, use Task Scheduler to prevent them from running. Press Windows Key + R, type "taskmgr," and open Task Manager. Go to the Startup tab, find the app you want to hide, right-click it, and select "Disable." The app no longer starts automatically, though you can still run it manually whenever you choose.
Hiding apps on Mac
On Mac, the simplest approach is to remove the app from your dock. Right-click the app icon in your dock and select "Remove from Dock." The process stays installed and you can still open it through Spotlight (press Command + Space and type the app name), but it no longer takes up space in your dock.
If you want the app less visible in Finder, move it to a hidden folder. Open Finder, press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files, and navigate to your Library folder. Create a new folder inside Library called something like "Hidden Apps," then drag the process into that folder. The app still works normally — you can launch it through Spotlight or by navigating back to that folder — but it does not appear in your Applications folder.
Another option is to use Finder's Smart Folders to organize apps by type without moving them. Create a Smart Folder that shows only certain apps, then keep your main Applications folder closed. You can access the apps you use most through the Smart Folder while keeping the full Applications folder out of sight.
What happens when you hide an app
Hiding an app does not stop it from working. Background processes continue to run, notifications still arrive, and the app updates normally. If the app is set to launch at startup, it may still do so even if it is hidden from your home screen or app drawer — you will just not see it launch.
If you want to truly stop an app from running, you need to uninstall it or disable it in your device settings. Hiding is purely a visibility change. Someone with access to your device settings or file system can still find a hidden app, so hiding is not a security measure — it is a way to reduce clutter and keep apps out of casual view.
Finding a hidden app later
The easiest way to find a hidden app is to search for it. On iPhone, swipe down to open Spotlight and type the app name. On Android, swipe up to open your app drawer and search. On Windows, click the Start button and type the app name. On Mac, press Command + Space and type the app name. Search works even if the app is completely hidden from your visible menus.
If you forget where you hid an app, you can also check your device settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see all installed apps. On Android, open Settings > Apps to view every app on your phone. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features. On Mac, open Applications in Finder. These lists show every installed app regardless of whether it is hidden from your home screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide an app so no one else can find it?
Hiding an app from your home screen or app drawer keeps it out of casual view, but anyone with access to your device settings can find it. If you need true privacy, consider using your device's built-in privacy features like a separate user account, a private folder with a password, or a vault app designed for sensitive files.
Will a hidden app still send me notifications?
Yes. Hiding an app does not change its notification settings. If you want to stop notifications from a hidden app, go to your notification settings and turn off alerts for that specific app. This works the same way whether the app is hidden or visible.
What if I hide an app and forget its name?
You can find it by checking your installed apps list in your device settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, open Settings > Apps. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features. On Mac, open Applications in Finder. You can also check your app store purchase history to see what you have installed.
Does hiding an app free up storage space?
No. Hiding an app does not uninstall it, so it takes up the same amount of storage space whether it is hidden or visible. If you want to free up space, you need to uninstall the app completely, not just hide it.
Can I hide multiple apps at once?
On most devices, you hide apps one at a time. However, you can speed up the process by creating a single folder and moving multiple apps into it, which hides them all together. On Android with a third-party launcher, you can often select multiple apps and hide them in bulk through the launcher's settings.