When you first open the app, you’ll need to sign in using your Samsung account (or create one if you don’t have one already). In the menu, tap the Biometrics and security > Secure Folder option. To start, open your Samsung device’s settings menu.
If you’re using another Android device, you’ll need to use a third-party app hider like Calculator Vault instead. Only Samsung devices have this option available.
You can then remove the original app, leaving the secret app behind a secure, encrypted password or fingerprint authentication. Like Calculator Vault, this copies apps, creating a duplicate that is separate from the original. If you have a recent Samsung device (running Android 7.0 and older), you can start using Secure Mode. You’ll need to remove the original app from your device, leaving only the hidden (secret) app available behind a password or fingerprint. Once selected, tap Import (Hide / Dual) to add the app to the hidden app list.īy importing the app, Calculator Vault creates a second copy which can only be accessed from this menu. In the app selection menu, tap on an app to import it into the hidden menu. To add a new app to the hidden list, tap the Add icon at the bottom.
You’ll need to create a password the first time you open it.Ī custom, hidden app drawer will appear. Once the app is installed, tap the green Calculator app icon. Start by installing the Calculator Vault app on your device. Among other features, this app hides other apps, disguising itself as a calculator. Depending on the apps you use, they can also lock apps behind passwords or disguise them behind other names and icons.Ī number of these apps exist in the Google Play Store, but one app worth considering is Calculator Vault, with over 10 million installations. If you don’t want your lock screen or app drawer layout to change, you’ll need to use an app hider instead. While apps like Nova Launcher give you the option to hide apps, it also changes your Android device’s design. The apps can still be accessed by searching for them in the app using the search bar or via a shortcut on your home screen. Once hidden, the apps will no longer appear in your app drawer. Tap the checkbox next to any of the apps to hide it from view. In the Hide apps menu, you’ll see a list of installed apps on your device. Scroll down to the Apps section of the App drawer menu, then tap the Hide apps option. In the Nova Settings menu, tap the App drawer option. Once the app is installed, open the Nova Settings app in your app drawer. Start by installing Nova Launcher Prime on your Android device. This feature requires Nova Launcher Prime, the premium version of the app costing $4.99.
Among its many features, however, is the ability to hide apps. This launcher has been around since the early Android days, racking up over 50 million installations in the Google Play Store. One of the best and most well-known custom launchers is Nova Launcher.
Depending on the launcher you choose, you may be able to password protect the app. This changes the design of your Android device, including your home screen and app drawer.Īn added benefit of a custom launcher, however, is that some launchers include the ability to hide apps from view.
One of the best ways to customize your smartphone is to install a custom app launcher.
If you want to know how to hide apps on Android, here’s what you’ll need to do. This acts a little like a new user account on Windows, protecting certain apps and data from view. You can install a third-party launcher or app hider or, if you’re a Samsung device owner, you can use a special private mode called Secure Folder.