Modern smartphones, such as Samsung Galaxy A32, store a colossal amount of personal information, access to which is desirable to limit from prying eyes. Device owners are often faced with the need to remove icons of banking clients, personal galleries or instant messengers from the desktop in order to protect their data from curious colleagues or children. Fortunately, the shell One UI provides powerful tools for solving this problem without the need to install dubious software.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods, starting from the standard protected folder function, which is the gold standard for security on devices of the South Korean giant. You will learn how to completely isolate applications from the main system, hiding them not only visually, but also blocking access to data.
We will also look at alternative options for those who require less strict privacy, such as simply removing shortcuts from the screen or using third-party launchers. Understanding the differences between these methods will allow you to choose the optimal protection strategy specifically for your use case. Galaxy A32.
Using the Secure Folder function for maximum protection
The most reliable way to hide an application on Samsung A32 is to use the built-in function Secure Folder (Secure Folder). This is not just a folder with a password, but an isolated space in the Android system, running on the platform Samsung Knox. Applications placed here exist as if in duplicate: one in the main system, the other inside the protected perimeter.
To activate this function, you must go to Settings → Biometrics and Security → Secure Folder. The system will prompt you to create an account Samsung Accountif it is not already linked, and set a locking method (PIN, password or fingerprint). After activation, a new icon will appear on the desktop, inside which your hidden apps will be stored.
⚠️ Attention: Do not delete the main application from the system if you have transferred it to Secure Folder and want to save progress or correspondence data. It is better to use the cloning function inside the folder itself to have two independent copies of the app.
To add an application to the protected zone, open Secure Folder, click on the plus sign or select “Add applications”. Here you will see a list of apps that can be moved. After transfer, the original icon can be removed from the main screen, leaving access only through a secure login. This ensures that even with an unlocked phone, no one will be able to launch hidden software without additional authorization.
☑️ Setting up Secure Folder
Hiding icons through the home screen settings
If you do not need data encryption, but just need to remove visual noise or hide rarely used apps from casual glance, the shell One UI allows you to hide shortcuts directly through the launcher settings. This method does not provide cryptographic protection, but effectively clears the desktop and hides icons deep in the menu.
To implement this method, hold down an empty space on the desktop to bring up the editing menu, and select Settings. In the list that opens, find the item Hide applications. A list of all installed apps will open in front of you. Just click on the plus sign next to the desired application, and it will disappear from the screen and from the application menu.
To return a hidden application, you need to go back to the main screen settings, select the item Show hidden applications (it appears instead of the hide item when there are hidden apps) and click on the minus sign next to the icon. This is a simple and fast method that does not require installing additional software or creating separate profiles.
- 📱 Press and hold an empty area on the desktop to open the menu.
- 🔍 Select “Settings” in the bottom panel.
- 🙈 Click on “Hide applications” and select the apps you want.
- ✅ Click “Done” to apply the changes.
It is important to understand that when using this method, applications remain visible in the list Settings → Apps and in the running process manager. If someone is well versed in Android, they will be able to find and launch a hidden app through the system menus, so this method is only suitable for basic visual privacy.
What happens to notifications?
If you hide an application through the launcher settings, notifications from it may continue to appear on the lock screen. To completely hide the fact of using the app, you must additionally prohibit the display of notification content in the privacy settings of the lock screen.
Creating an additional user to share access
The operating system Androidinstalled on Samsung A32supports the multi-user mode function. This allows you to create a completely separate profile with your own applications, settings and accounts. For a guest profile or a second user, you can not install certain applications, thereby hiding their presence in this mode.
To activate this feature, pull down the notification shade and look for the user icon (usually the little person in the corner). If it is not there, go to Settings → Accounts and Backup → Users and turn on the switch. Create a new user, such as "Guest" or "Work". This profile will not contain your personal applications, banking clients and photos.
Switching between profiles requires entering a PIN or biometrics of the primary owner, which adds a layer of protection. However, if the main profile is unlocked, a tech-savvy person can switch to it. Therefore, this method is good for transferring the phone to children or colleagues, but not for protection against professional hacking.
| Characteristics | Secure Folder | Hide icons | Second user |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection level | High (Knox) | Low (Visual) | Medium (Separation) |
| Data access | Only with password | Open in the system | Open in your profile |
| Impact on battery | Minimal | Absent | Increased |
| Setting complexity | Medium | Low | High |
Use of third-party launchers for customization
The standard interface One UI is good, but third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcheroffer more flexible settings for hiding applications. Installing an alternative launcher allows you not only to change the appearance Samsung A32but also to gain access to hiding functions that are not available in the stock firmware.
For example, in Nova Launcher you can configure hiding applications through the launcher settings menu, as well as set a password to open certain folders or even the entire application menu. This creates an additional barrier for curious users who are accustomed to the standard Android interface.
However, using third-party launchers on Samsung devices may have its own characteristics. Some features, such as Always On Display or certain gestures, may not work correctly. In addition, after updating the Android system or One UI shell, a third-party launcher may temporarily stop working as the main one, requiring re-configuration.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a third-party launcher, the system may ask for permission to access accessibility features. Carefully read what rights you give to the application, since the launcher gets full control over the display of your smartphone's interface.
To install such a solution, download the selected launcher from Google Play Store, run it and follow the setup instructions. After this, in the launcher settings menu (usually called by a long tap or through the settings icon), find the “Hide applications” or “App Hiding” section and select the desired apps.
Disabling system and pre-installed applications
On Samsung A32 there are often many pre-installed applications that cannot be removed using standard methods, but can be disabled. A disabled application disappears from the menu, stops consuming resources and updating, effectively hiding from the user's eyes.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications, find an unnecessary app in the list (for example, social networks from Facebook or Microsoft services, if you do not use them) and click on it. In the menu that opens, select the button Disable. The system will warn that the application will be removed from the home screen and will stop working.
This method is ideal for cleaning the interface from “junk” software that came with the phone. However, be careful: disabling Android system components (for example, Phone, Messages, Settings) may cause the device to become unstable. Disable only those whose purpose you are 100% sure of.
Before disabling an unknown system application, try finding its name in a search engine. Disabling critical services may require resetting the phone to factory settings to restore functionality.
Frequently asked questions about hiding applications on Samsung
Despite the detailed instructions, users often have specific questions related to the features of the operation Galaxy A32 and the operating system. Below we have collected answers to the most popular ones so that you can quickly find a solution without searching for additional information.
Is it possible to hide applications without creating a Samsung account?
For the function Secure Folder creating a Samsung account is a mandatory security requirement. However, to simply hide icons through the launcher settings or use third-party blocker applications, you do not need a Samsung account.
Will hidden applications be visible in the task manager?
Applications hidden through the launcher settings or located in Secure Folderare still displayed in the list of running processes (RAM) if they are active. However, in the list of installed applications (in settings), apps hidden through the launcher are visible, but in Secure Folder they are isolated.
What will happen to notifications from hidden applications?
If you simply hid the icon, notifications will come to the lock screen. To hide them, you need to go to Settings → Notifications → Hide content or configure the display of notifications for a specific application, disabling display on the lock screen.
Can I set different wallpapers for Secure Folder?
Yes, Secure Folder has its own design settings. Inside the folder, you can click on the three dots in the corner, select Settings, and change your wallpaper separately from the main desktop, which adds another layer of personalization and confusion for outsiders.
Will Secure Folder reset when you reset your phone?
Yes, when you perform a full factory reset (Wipe data/factory reset) all data inside Secure Folder will be permanently deleted along with the rest of the phone data, unless you have made a backup via the Samsung cloud before.
The most secure and functional way to hide applications on the Samsung A32 is to use the built-in Secure Folder, as it provides real data encryption, and not just hides the icon.