To find hidden apps on Android, you need to check two main hiding places: the launcher's built-in hide feature and Samsung's encrypted Secure Folder.
How to find hidden apps on Android: where they hide
Android phones hide apps in two primary ways. The first is through the launcher's own "Hide apps" setting, which removes an app's icon from the app drawer without uninstalling it. The second is Samsung's Secure Folder, a separate, encrypted space that can store apps, files, and media behind a PIN, password, or biometric lock. Both methods are built into the phone and do not require any additional software.
Check the app drawer for hidden apps
This is the most common hiding method on Samsung and many other Android phones. Follow these steps:
- Open the app drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the home screen.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the app drawer.
- Select Settings from the pop-up menu.
- Scroll down and tap Hide apps.
- The screen shows a Hidden apps list at the top. Any app the user has hidden will appear here.
On Samsung phones, one documented method is to long-press a blank spot on the Home screen, tap Settings, then tap Hide apps; select the apps and tap Done. This exact menu path is standard on Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI, though the wording may vary slightly by device, region, and software version. On other Android brands, look for a similar "Hide apps" option inside the app drawer's settings menu.
Look inside Samsung Secure Folder
Samsung's Secure Folder is a more secure hiding method because it can itself be hidden from the apps screen. There are two documented ways to access it on a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet.
Method 1: Through Settings
- Open Settings from the app drawer or notification shade.
- Tap Security and privacy.
- Tap More security settings.
- Tap Secure Folder.
Method 2: Through Quick Settings
- Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
- Tap the Secure Folder icon. If you do not see it, swipe left or right through the Quick Settings tiles to find it.
If Secure Folder is not visible in either location, the phone's owner may have hidden it. To check, go to Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder. Inside Secure Folder, tap the three-dot menu and look for Settings. If Add Secure Folder to Apps screen is turned off, the folder is hidden from the home screen and app drawer. You can still access it through the Settings path above. Samsung also documents hiding Secure Folder itself by turning off Add Secure Folder to Apps screen and confirming Hide.
How to spot a disguised app hiding in plain sight
Some users hide apps inside "vault" apps that look like calculators, notes, or other innocuous tools. Look for these signs:
- Duplicate apps: Two calculator or notes apps on the same phone is a red flag. The phone's built-in calculator is usually a single, simple app. A second one may be a vault.
- App permissions: In Settings > Apps, tap each suspicious app and review its permissions. A calculator that requests access to photos, contacts, or storage is likely a vault.
- Loading delays or branding: A genuine calculator loads instantly. A disguised vault may take a second or two to open and might flash a logo or company name before showing the calculator interface.
These checks require only the phone's built-in settings and your own observation. No third-party app is needed.
What to do after you find them
Finding hidden apps is only the first step. If you discover apps you are concerned about, the most effective next step is a calm, non-judgmental conversation about online safety. Explain why you checked and what you found, and ask about the apps' purpose. For ongoing monitoring, consider using the phone's built-in parental controls or a dedicated monitoring service. If you need to know the phone's location for safety reasons, the site's phone location tracking hub offers methods for tracking a phone location. That hub covers techniques such as using Google's Find My Device and carrier-based services, which can complement your awareness of the device's activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find hidden apps without unlocking the phone?
No. Every method described here requires the phone to be unlocked, because hidden apps and Secure Folder are protected by the device's lock screen or a separate PIN. If you cannot unlock the phone, you cannot access these hiding places.
Do these methods work on iPhones?
No. On iPhones, Apple documents two separate places to check: hidden App Store purchases (in the App Store under your profile > Apps & Purchase History) and the Hidden folder in the App Library on iOS 18 or later, which requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to open. Apple's hidden-purchases page is specifically for the App Store purchase list and not for hiding an installed app from the device itself.
What if the phone is not a Samsung Galaxy?
The exact menu paths vary by manufacturer and Android skin. However, most Android phones have a similar "Hide apps" setting inside the app drawer's settings menu. Check the three-dot menu in your app drawer for a "Hide apps" or "Hidden apps" option. Secure Folder is exclusive to Samsung.
Can I unhide an app without the owner knowing?
Yes, if you have access to the phone. Unhiding an app from the app drawer's Hidden apps list or from inside Secure Folder does not notify the owner. However, the app's icon will reappear on the home screen or app drawer, which the owner may notice.
Are third-party hidden app finder apps safe to use?
Using such apps can compromise the phone's security or privacy, and they may not work as advertised.
How do I unhide a hidden App Store purchase on iPhone?
To unhide a hidden App Store purchase, Apple says to open the App Store, tap your profile picture, tap Apps & Purchase History, tap Your Apps, find the app, then swipe left and tap Hide to remove it from the hidden list; the support page is for the App Store purchase list and does not say it affects installed apps already on the phone.
