My friend picked up my phone last week and started opening the gallery without asking. That’s when I realized that there are some apps on my phone that I want to keep private—be it banking apps or dating apps. I started looking for a solution to this problem and tried several methods. Today I am sharing with you some practical methods that really work and keep things private.
Take advantage of the phone’s in-built features
Did you know that most Android phones already have an option to hide apps? I tested it on my Samsung Galaxy S21. Open the app drawer in One UI and swipe down a little and there is an option to “hide apps”. From here I selected my dating apps and they disappeared. Now they are visible only when I go directly to Settings and unhide “hidden apps”.
On the other hand, Second Space is a great option for Xiaomi or Redmi users. I tried it on my friend’s Redmi Note 10 Pro. Second Space acts as a separate user profile where you can install your private apps. After switching, no one will be able to know what is in your main profile.
I even tried the same trick on OnePlus 10R (Oxygen OS 14) and it worked and very useful in day to day use. Here’s how to hide sensitive apps on OnePlus smartphones having Android 13, 14 or 15:
- Go to Settings
- Tap on Security and Privacy
- Tap on Hide Apps
- Now Enter 6-Digit Password (or Create it if it is your first time)
- Now Choose App You Want to Hide (Ex: PNB Banking app)
- That’s it… the App is in Secret Space!
To unhide, repeat the same process and in the choose app section, select hidden tab and turn off the hide feature. This way the app once again will appear on the screen and you can use it!
Note: App hiding methods vary by mobile brand and their respective user interfaces. For detailed instructions, you can refer to the official guides or published blogs. If you’re using an Honor or Realme device, check out this guide and this one. Motorola users can visit support.google.com to learn how to hide apps on stock Android.
More security from third-party apps
If your phone does not support in-built feature that I have shared above, the some apps like AppLock by Keepsafe can be very helpful. I used it on my old Realme phone. The special thing about this app is that it not only locks apps but also keeps photos, videos and messages safe. I set up a fingerprint lock in it, so that no one can access my banking apps.
Another method I tried was using Nova Launcher. In this launcher, there is an option of “Hide apps” by going to the app drawer settings. From here I hid some of my apps. However, this method is a little less secure because if someone goes into the settings of Nova Launcher, they can see these apps.
Does changing the icon and name work?
I tried an interesting trick—changed the icon and name of the app to “Calculator”. This feature is available in Microsoft Launcher. I named one of my dating apps “Calculator” and set the icon to look like a calculator. Now anyone gets confused seeing this. But this method is only for those who want basic privacy. If someone accidentally opens the app, the truth can come out.
Guest Mode and Multiple User Profiles
Guest mode is a great option for Google Pixel users. I tested it on my wife’s Pixel 6a. After switching to guest mode, only basic apps are visible, everything else is hidden. Similarly, you can keep your private apps separate by creating multiple user profiles. Based on the profiles, you can keep the apps hidden and later use that profile for use and don’t tell or disclose it with others!
Are these methods completely safe?
To be honest, no method is 100% safe in this world. If someone roots your phone or uses advanced techniques, he can find the hidden apps. But in normal use, these methods are quite effective. If you want more security, use a third-party app locker and always keep your phone on the latest software update.
Final Advice
Privacy is your right, and use the right tools to maintain it. The methods I have mentioned are based on my personal experience. You can choose any method according to your needs. If you have a better tip, do share it in the comments and don’t forget to share it with others on social media platforms!
