📱 How to Find Hidden Apps on Android
In today’s How to Find Hidden Apps on Android are more powerful than ever. They let you store photos, install games, track fitness, and even manage finances. But sometimes, certain apps may be hidden — either for privacy, parental control, or to avoid clutter on the home screen.
If you suspect there are hidden apps on your device, you can use the methods below to locate them.
1️⃣ Why Apps Might Be Hidden
Before you start searching, it’s important to understand why apps are hidden:
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Privacy: Some users hide apps like banking or dating apps for security.
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Parental Control: Parents may hide apps to prevent kids from using them.
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System Apps: Manufacturers often hide system tools to avoid accidental deletion.
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Malware or Spyware: Suspicious apps might be hidden to monitor your activity.
🖼 Suggested Image 1: Illustration showing different reasons for hidden apps — privacy lock, parental control icon, malware warning.
2️⃣ Check Your App Drawer
Most Android devices have an App Drawer where all installed apps are displayed.
Steps:
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Swipe up (or tap the App Drawer icon) on your home screen.
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Look for a three-dot menu or settings icon in the corner.
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Select “Show hidden apps” or “Hide apps” (wording may vary).
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Browse through the list — hidden apps will be displayed here.
🖼 Suggested Image 2: Screenshot of an Android App Drawer settings menu with “Show hidden apps” highlighted.
3️⃣ Use Device Settings
Even if an app doesn’t show in the App Drawer, it may still be listed in Settings.
Steps:
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Open Settings on your Android phone.
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Go to Apps or Applications.
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Tap See all apps or Manage apps.
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Scroll through the full list — you might spot unfamiliar or suspicious ones.
🖼 Suggested Image 3: Settings screen showing “See all apps” option.
4️⃣ Check Home Screen Folders
Some people hide apps inside folders with misleading names.
Steps:
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Check every home screen page.
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Open all folders — look for apps that don’t belong or are rarely used.
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Long-press to unhide or move them out.
🖼 Suggested Image 4: Home screen folder named “Tools” with hidden apps inside.
5️⃣ Look for System & Preinstalled Apps
Manufacturers sometimes hide important system apps.
Steps:
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In Settings → Apps, tap the three-dot menu.
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Choose Show system apps.
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Review the list carefully — suspicious apps can be disabled or uninstalled if safe.
6️⃣ Use Google Play Store
The Play Store can help you see installed apps.
Steps:
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Open Google Play Store.
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Tap your profile picture → Manage apps & device.
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Go to Manage tab and filter by Installed.
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Look for apps you don’t see on your home screen.
🖼 Suggested Image 5: Google Play “Manage Apps & Device” screen with filter option.
7️⃣ Search with App Names
Some hidden apps still appear when searched.
Steps:
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Open the App Drawer.
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Use the search bar to type common hidden app names (like calculator vault, file lock, etc.).
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If they appear, you can open and manage them.
8️⃣ Check for Hidden Apps in Security or Launcher Settings
Some phones (like Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus) have extra hiding features in their launcher.
Example (Samsung):
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Long-press home screen → Settings.
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Tap Hide apps.
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View and unhide from the list.
9️⃣ Use a File Manager to Detect Hidden Folders
Sometimes, hidden apps leave behind folders.
Steps:
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Install a file manager app from Play Store.
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Enable Show hidden files.
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Look for folders with strange names or APK files.
🖼 Suggested Image 6: File manager screen with “Show hidden files” toggle on.
🔟 Scan for Spyware or Malicious Apps
If you suspect malicious apps:
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Install a trusted mobile security app (e.g., Avast, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes).
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Run a full scan.
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Remove any suspicious apps found.
🔒 How to Prevent Hidden Apps in the Future
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Regularly check your installed apps list.
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Use Play Protect (Google Play → Play Protect → Scan).
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Avoid installing APK files from unknown sources.
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Enable parental controls for kids’ devices.