Modern OPPO smartphones running on a proprietary shell ColorOSprovide users with a wide range of tools to protect personal data. One of the most requested features is the ability to hide installed applications from prying eyes. This is especially true when children, colleagues or friends use the phone, and you want to maintain the confidentiality of your instant messengers, banking apps or personal photo albums. Unlike stock Android, where this often requires third-party apps, in OPPO devices this function is built in at the system level.
The process of hiding icons does not require deep technical knowledge, however, the settings interface may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and device model. We will consider universal methods that work on most current models, from the budget A series to the flagship Find X. Hidden application does not disappear from the device completely - it continues to work in the background, receive notifications, but its icon disappears from the general menu and the list of installed apps, becoming accessible only through a special code entry or in a protected folder.
In this article we will examine in detail several ways to achieve this goal, ranging from built-in system functions to using guest mode. You will learn how to set up access to hidden apps, what restrictions exist, and how to get everything back if the function stops working after an update. It is important to understand that data security depends not only on hiding the icon, but also on the reliability of the screen lock.
Using the built-in function of hiding applications
The most reliable and easiest way to remove unnecessary things from the desktop is to use the native shell function ColorOS. OPPO developers have integrated this tool directly into the settings menu, which guarantees stable operation and no conflicts with the system. First, you need to go to the main settings of the device. Find the section, which may be called “Security” or “Privacy”, depending on the localization of the firmware.
Inside this menu you should find the item Hidden applications. By clicking on it, you will see a list of all apps installed on your smartphone. The system will prompt you to select those that you want to make invisible. After selecting the checkboxes and confirming the action, the icons will instantly disappear from the desktop and from the menu of all applications. Access to them will now be carried out only through a special gesture or entering a secret code in the “Phone” application.
It is worth noting that in new versions ColorOS 13 i ColorOS 14 the operating logic may be slightly changed. Sometimes this feature is combined with “Application Protection,” which requires setting a separate password to enter a hidden section. Privacy password is an additional level of protection that is requested when you try to open hidden files or apps. If you have not yet set it, the system will prompt you to do so immediately after activating the hide function.
Write down the privacy password you create in a safe place. It is often impossible to reset it without losing data inside the protected space.
⚠️ Attention: The hiding applications feature may not be available on some global firmware versions intended for the European market. In such cases, the settings interface may differ from that described, or the menu item may be hidden in advanced settings.
Setting up access through a secret code
After you have hidden the necessary apps, a logical question arises: how to launch them now? The OPPO ecosystem implements an elegant access mechanism through dialing a special code in the standard Phone application. This method does not require the installation of additional launchers and works at the system level. To get into the hidden space, open the “dialer” and enter a predefined code.
By default or when setting up for the first time, the system may offer to use your phone number or a combination of characters. The most commonly used format is #password#. For example, if your privacy password is 1234, then the login code will look like #1234#. When you enter the last number, the screen will blink and a window will open with a list of all hidden applications. This is convenient because it does not require unnecessary movements through the settings menu.
You can also change the activation method in the privacy settings. Some users prefer to use their fingerprint to instantly access hidden apps. To do this, in the menu Hidden applications you need to activate the “Access by fingerprint” option. In this case, it is enough to unlock the phone with your finger in the Phone application or in a folder to see the hidden content.
This is the key exclusively to the hidden space. If you forget this code, it can be extremely difficult to regain access to hidden apps without resetting your privacy settings. Therefore, it is recommended to link your account HeyTap or specify a security question when setting up security for the first time.
Using guest mode for complete isolation
If your goal is not just to hide an icon, but to completely restrict access to a certain set of apps for another user, the ideal solution would be Guest Mode. This feature creates a temporary account on your smartphone, which by default does not have access to your personal data, contacts and installed applications. This is radically different from simply hiding icons, as it creates an isolated environment.
To activate Guest mode, pull down the notification shade and look for the user's profile icon (usually a silhouette of a person). Click on it and select "Guest". The smartphone will reboot the interface to a clean state. In this mode, you can install those applications that are acceptable to show to the guest, or leave it empty. All data created in this mode is deleted after exiting it.
Switching between the main profile and the guest is instantaneous and protected by a screen unlock password. The guest will not be able to see your hidden applications, since they are tied to the owner's main profile. This is a great way to give a phone to a child for games or a colleague to call without worrying about the confidentiality of instant messengers.
☑️ Preparing guest mode
However, the guest mode has its own characteristics. Applications installed in guest mode are not visible in the main profile, and vice versa. If you need to quickly show a photo from the gallery, you will have to switch back to the main profile. In addition, some banking applications may require re-authorization each time you enter guest mode for security reasons.
Third-party launchers as an alternative solution
In cases where the built-in functions ColorOS for some reason are not suitable or the interface seems too complicated, you can use third-party shells. Launchers from independent developers often have more flexible privacy settings. Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, allow you to hide applications directly from the settings menu of the launcher itself.
After installing such a launcher and assigning it as the main one, go to its settings. Find the section Hidden applications or Hide Apps. The principle of operation is similar to the system one: you select apps from the list, and they disappear from the menu. However, unlike a system solution, they are often accessed through a special gesture (for example, swiping up with two fingers on the desktop) or through a search inside the launcher.
Using third-party software gives more visual freedom. You can customize the appearance of folders, icons, and animations for entering hidden mode. But there are also disadvantages: third-party launchers consume more RAM and can sometimes conflict with OPPO's system navigation gestures. In addition, they do not integrate with the system's "App Protection" function, so for real security you will have to set a password on the launcher itself.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party launchers, OPPO system clock and weather widgets may no longer display correctly or require additional configuration.
Launcher compatibility
Not all third-party skins support OPPO proprietary features, such as the smart sidebar or gaming optimization. Before installation, check the reviews from users of your smartphone model.
The “Application Protection” function and its connection with hiding
Often users confuse hiding applications and protecting them with a password. In OPPO smartphones, these functions are closely intertwined. Application protection (App Lock) does not hide the app icon, but requires entering a password, fingerprint or Face ID every time you try to start. This is an effective method if you need the application to be visible but not available for use without permission.
You can combine these methods in the security settings. You can hide an application from the general list, but when you try to open it using a secret code, the system will additionally ask for a security password. This creates a double barrier for prying eyes. The setting is made in the same menu Privacywhere the section Application blocking is located.
When you enable protection for a specific application, for example, WhatsApp, the system will ask whether to show the contents of notifications on the lock screen. It is recommended to select the “Hide contents” option so that even without opening the phone, you cannot read the text of the message. This is critical for maintaining privacy in public places.
| Function | Icon visibility | Password required | Security level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide applications | No (only by code) | Yes (access code) | High |
| Application protection | Yes | Yes (at startup) | Medium |
| Guest mode | No (in guest profile) | Yes (change profile) | Maximum |
| Notification blocking | Yes | No (hides text) | Low |
Combining hiding icons and blocking notifications provides maximum privacy by making the application invisible and hiding its activity.
Common problems and solutions solutions
Despite the well-functioning system, users may encounter a number of difficulties. The most common problem is the disappearance of the hiding function after a firmware update. In new versions Android i ColorOS the manufacturer sometimes changes the menu layout or operating logic. If you cannot find the item you need, try searching through settings by entering the query “Hide” or “Private.”
Another situation: the application is hidden, but continues to send notifications to the lock screen. This is not a bug, but a configuration feature. To fix this, go to Settings → Notifications and status bar. Find the hidden application there and disable the display of notifications on the lock screen or select the “Silent and silent” format.
It is also possible that the hidden application has stopped launching by code. Check to see if you accidentally changed your privacy password or if your region settings are lost. In rare cases, clearing the Phone application cache or resetting the launcher settings may help. If all else fails, temporarily disable the hiding function, reboot the device and enable it again.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting your smartphone to factory settings will delete all hidden applications and data inside them if they have not been previously restored to the visible list.
Before selling your phone, be sure to disable all hiding and protection functions, as well as log out of your HeyTap account to prevent the new owner from gaining access to your data.
Restoring access to hidden apps
If you need to return a hidden application to public access, the procedure is as simple as possible. Go to your privacy settings and open the Hidden applicationssection again. You will need to enter a password or use your fingerprint to log in. In the list that opens, you will see all the apps that are currently in hidden mode (they will be marked with checkmarks or switches).
Simply uncheck the desired application. The icon will instantly appear on the desktop or in the all applications menu, depending on your launcher settings. No reboots are required for this. If you used a third-party launcher, go to its settings and remove the application from the list of hidden ones.
If you lose the password to access hidden applications, the system will offer to restore it through your account HeyTap or by security question, if you asked them during setup. If this data is also lost, the only option is a complete reset of the privacy settings, which, unfortunately, will delete all data stored inside the protected space (photos, notes, files), but will not affect the main data of the phone.
Is it possible to hide system applications on OPPO?
Hide critical system applications (for example, “Settings”, “Phone”, “Messages”) cannot be used using standard means. This is done to prevent system instability. However, some system utilities that are not vital may be available to hide in the extended list.
Do hidden applications see my data if it is hidden?
Yes, the application continues to run in the background, receive updates and sync data if it has access to the Internet. Hiding concerns only the visual display of the icon and direct access through the menu, but does not limit the functionality of the app.
How many applications can be hidden at the same time?
There are no technical restrictions on the number of hidden applications in ColorOS e. You can hide as many apps as will fit in the list, however, a large number of hidden items may make navigation slightly more difficult when entering the access code.
What happens if you delete a hidden application?
If you delete a hidden application through settings (Application Manager), it will be completely removed, just like a regular app. Before deleting it, it is not necessary to make it visible; the system will find it by name in the general list of installed software.
Does hiding applications work in security mode?
In Safe Mode, which is loaded in case of malfunctions, third-party applications are disabled, and personalization functions, including hiding icons, may not work. All applications installed by the user will become visible, but they will not be able to be launched until exiting this mode.