This wikiHow teaches you how to hide the application icons displayed on the Home screen or the "Applications" panel of an Android device. If you are using a latest generation Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei or LG model, you can quickly and easily hide apps directly from the settings. If you are using a different device instead, you may need to use a third party app such as the Nova Launcher. If, on the other hand, you only need to delete the icons of the pre-installed apps that you never use, you usually have the possibility to disable them directly from the device settings.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Samsung devices
Step 1. Launch the Settings app by tapping the icon
It has a gray gear and is located in the "Applications" panel.
This method allows you to delete app icons from the Home screen and the "Applications" panel of a Samsung Galaxy device running the Android Pie operating system (Android 9.0) or later
Step 2. Tap the Screen item
It features a green gear icon.
Step 3. Select the Home Screen option
Step 4. Scroll down the menu that appeared to be able to select Hide app
It is displayed at the bottom of the list.
Step 5. Tap the icons of the apps you want to hide
Multiple icons can be hidden at the same time.
Step 6. Press the Done button or Apply.
It is located at the bottom of the screen. Selected app icons will be removed from the Home screen and the "Applications" panel.
You can restore the visibility of those app icons at any time: return to the section Hide app of the "Settings" menu and deselect the apps visible in the box located at the top of the screen.
Method 2 of 6: OnePlus devices
Step 1. Go to the "Applications" panel
You can do this by sliding your finger up the screen from the Home screen.
This method allows you to delete app icons from the Home screen and "Applications" panel of a OnePlus device without the need to uninstall the corresponding applications
Step 2. Swipe your finger across the screen to the right to locate the "Hidden Space" folder
This is an area where you can place apps that you don't want to be visible within the "Applications" panel.
Step 3. Tap the + icon
It is characterized by the "+" symbol and is located in the upper corner of the screen.
Step 4. Select the app icons you want to hide
You can select as many apps as you want.
Step 5. Enable the use of a login password for the "Hidden Space" folder (optional)
If you want no one to be able to access the "Hidden Space" area, press the button characterized by three dots located in the upper right corner of the screen, then choose the option Enable password from the menu that will appear. At this point, you can set a PIN or a token to have access to the "Hidden Space" folder.
Step 6. Tap the check mark icon to save the new settings
At this point, the app icons you have selected will be stored in the area called "Hidden Space".
To make the app icons you have hidden visible again, go to the "Hidden Space" folder and choose the option You discover to move them to the "Applications" panel.
Method 3 of 6: Huawei devices
Step 1. Launch the Settings app by tapping the icon
It has a gray gear and is located in the "Applications" panel. This will allow you to configure "Private Space", a separate area on your device where you can hide apps and files.
- The "Private Space" feature has been implemented as if it were a real second user account which can be accessed from the device lock screen. After logging in with the "Private space" profile, it will be possible to download and install the apps as usual with the exception that they will be placed in the "Private space" and not in the "Applications" panel, as is normally the case.
- If the app you want to hide from view is already on your device, you will need to uninstall and reinstall it with the "Private Space" profile.
Step 2. Select the Privacy item
A new list of options will appear.
Step 3. Tap the Private Space option
If "Private Space" is not activated, you will be asked to activate it now.
Step 4. Press the Activate button and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen
The next steps will guide you through the process of creating your "Private Space" account. You need to create a password, PIN, sign or set up new fingerprints to be able to access the "Private Space" profile from the lock screen.
After you have configured the "Private space" profile, the graphical interface linked to your normal user account will be called "MainSpace"
Step 5. Log in with the "Private space" profile
Once you have created and activated the "Private space" area, you can access it directly from the device's lock screen by entering the password or the sign you set in the configuration process. Alternatively, you can launch the app Settings, choose the item Privacy, select the option Private space and press the button Log in.
You can return to the "MainSpace" at any time by locking the device and logging in with the PIN, password, fingerprint or sign associated with your personal account
Step 6. While connected to the device with the "Private Space" profile, install any apps you wish to hide from prying eyes
You have to think of the "Private Space" area as a real second user account that you can use to access the Google Play Store and to install applications exactly as you normally would. In this scenario, the apps that you download on the device will only be visible with the "Private space" profile, so they will not be present on the Home and in the "Applications" panel linked to your normal user account.
Method 4 of 6: LG devices
Step 1. Press and hold your finger on an empty spot on the Home screen
After a few seconds a menu will appear.
Step 2. Select the Home Screen Settings item
A list of items related to customizing the device's Home screen will be displayed.
If you are in the "Applications" panel, the indicated option will not be present. In this case, you will have to press the button located in the upper right corner of the screen and choose the item Hide app. At this point, skip straight to step number 4 of this method.
Step 3. Select the Hide app option
It is displayed at the bottom of the list.
Step 4. Select the apps you want to hide
By tapping an app icon, a small check mark will appear inside it to indicate that it has been selected correctly.
Step 5. Press the done button
The app icons you have selected will be hidden from view.
At any time, you can restore the visibility of app icons within the "Applications" panel using the same process. In this case, you will need to deselect the apps you want to make visible again
Method 5 of 6: Using the Nova Launcher
Step 1. Install the Nova Launcher on your Android device
If you're not using a Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei, or LG device, an easy way to hide app icons from the "Applications" panel is to use a custom launcher, such as the Nova Launcher. It is a free tool that allows you to customize many aspects of the Android graphical interface, including the ability to hide apps. The Nova Launcher is very popular and appreciated by users all over the world and you can easily install it directly from the Play Store.
- Some Android device models that are not among those listed in this guide may natively integrate the option to hide applications. For this reason, before installing a third-party launcher or app, try to consult the user manual of the device.
- There are many other Android launchers that support the feature to hide apps. For example, you can choose to use the Apex Launcher or the Evie Launcher. The steps to follow are similar to those of the Nova Launcher, but not identical.
Step 2. Press and hold a finger on an empty spot on your device's Home screen
A new menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the Settings item
The Nova Launcher configuration menu will be displayed.
Alternatively, you can select the app icon Nova settings found in the "Applications" panel.
Step 4. Tap the App menu item
It is displayed at the top of the appeared menu.
Step 5. Scroll down the menu to be able to select the Hide app option
It is listed in the "Apps" section.
Step 6. Select the applications you want to hide
This way, a check mark will appear next to the app icon you have chosen to indicate that it has been selected correctly. The icon in question will be automatically removed from the Home and from the "Applications" panel of the device.
To make the apps you have hidden visible again, you will need to go back to the "Hide apps" menu and deselect the apps you want
Method 6 of 6: Disable the Pre-Installed Apps on the Device
Step 1. Launch the Settings app by tapping the icon
It has a gray gear and is located in the "Applications" panel. Use this method if you want to remove the pre-installed app icons on your device from the "Applications" panel.
- This method should work fine on most Android devices, however the menu and option names may vary by make and model.
- It should be noted that not all applications pre-installed on the device can be disabled, so some will remain active.
Step 2. Select the App item or Menu apps and notifications.
The name of this option may vary depending on the make and model of the device.
Step 3. Select the option that allows you to view all apps installed on your device
There may be a menu or tab at the top of the screen that allows you to filter the list of apps installed on your device. In this case, choose the item that allows you to view all installed apps, including system ones.
- If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, tap on the drop-down menu that shows the entry All and select the option Active. At this point, press the button with three dots located in the upper right corner of the screen and select the item Show system apps.
- If you are using a Google Pixel device, press the button Show all apps.
Step 4. Select the app you want to hide
An information page for the app you have chosen will be displayed.
Step 5. Press the Deactivate button
If this option is not present, you may need to press the button first Forced shutdown. It may be placed in a sub-section of the page named Archive or Storage memory. However, if the "Deactivate" button is not present, it means that the selected app cannot be deactivated.
- In some cases, the app you are trying to deactivate will be replaced with the version on the device at the time of purchase. In this case, you can select this option, but the app icon will remain visible within the "Applications" panel.
- Once an app has been deactivated it cannot be updated using the Play Store.
- All applications that have been disabled are entered in the "Disabled" section of the "Apps" menu.
