Modern smartphones, including the popular series models Samsung Galaxy A5, store a huge amount of personal information. From banking applications and personal correspondence to photos and work documents. In situations where you give your phone to a friend, a child, or simply leave it on the desk in the office, there is a natural desire to limit access to certain data. The standard Android interface makes it easy to view all installed apps, which is not always convenient from a privacy point of view.
Fortunately, the company Samsung has implemented several effective mechanisms for hiding content in its One UI shell (and previously in TouchWiz). Users of the model Galaxy A5 can take advantage of both built-in system functions that do not require the installation of additional software, as well as more advanced methods of creating isolated spaces. In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from simply hiding icons to creating an encrypted folder.
Regardless of your version of the operating system, be it an old Android 6.0 Marshmallow or a more recent Android 9 Pie, you will find a working method. We will look at the nuances of working with the home screen, security settings and alternative solutions if standard functions are for some reason not available on your device.
Using the built-in function of hiding icons
The easiest and fastest way to remove unnecessary things from view is to use the native launcher function. This method does not encrypt data, but only visually removes shortcuts from the desktop and application menu. First, you need to go to your home screen settings. On most firmware versions, to do this, you just need to hold down an empty space on the desktop with your finger.
After the settings menu appears, select Settings or Home screen. In the list of parameters that opens, find the section responsible for displaying apps. The interface may differ slightly depending on the year your Samsung A5was produced, but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the option Hide applications.
By clicking on this item, you will see a complete list of all installed apps. The system will prompt you to check the boxes of those that you want to make invisible. These could be social networks, games or utilities that you rarely use. After selecting, confirm the action with the button Done or Apply.
⚠️ Attention: Hiding the icon does not delete the application and does not protect it with a password. Anyone who knows how to go into the launcher settings will be able to see the list of hidden apps and get them back.
It is important to understand that applications hidden in this way are still available through search or phone settings. This method is more suitable for the aesthetic cleanliness of the interface or to protect the phone from children accidentally launching games than for the real protection of confidential data.
Working with the Secure Folder
If your goal is real security, then standard hiding of icons is not enough. On smartphones Samsung there is a unique function called Secure Folder (Secure Folder). This is an isolated space that runs on the platform Knox, which creates a separate profile on the device.
Applications installed inside Secure Folderare completely independent from their copies in the main system. You can have two accounts on the same social network: one in the regular menu, the other in a secure folder. The data inside is encrypted, and access to it is possible only after entering a PIN code, password or fingerprint.
To activate the function, go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Secure folder. The system will prompt you to log into your account Samsung Accountif you have not already done so. Once set up, you will be asked to select a locking method. It is recommended to use biometrics for quick access.
☑️ Setting up a secure folder
After creating the folder, you can add any apps to it. To do this, open Secure Folder, click on plus + and select applications from the list of installed ones. They will be copied to a protected space. The originals can be deleted from the main screen, leaving only encrypted copies.
Configuring display in the application menu
In addition to complete hiding, users Galaxy A5 can flexibly customize the order and visibility of elements in the application menu (App Drawer). This is useful if you want to group rarely used utilities without removing them completely. In the home screen settings there is often an option Sort application menu.
Here you can select a manual sort order. You can move important or hidden applications to the very bottom of the list so that they are not an eyesore when you first open the menu. It is also possible to create folders directly in the application menu, which helps to structure the space without using third-party launchers.
Pay attention to the function Show hidden applications in the settings. In some firmware versions, access to the list of hidden apps is carried out through a long tap on the magnifying glass (search) icon at the top of the application menu or through a special gesture. Knowing this nuance will help you quickly find the app you need, even if you forgot where you put it.
Secret gesture for access
In some versions of One UI, to see hidden applications, you need to spread two fingers on the application menu screen in different directions ("pinch out" gesture). This will open a special section with hidden content.
Using third-party launchers
If the built-in features Samsung do not suit you or the interface seems too complicated, you can always install a third-party launcher. App stores offer many solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Apex Launcherthat have advanced privacy features.
Third-party skins often allow you to hide applications not only from the menu, but also from the list of recently launched apps. Some of them support the "False password" function: when you enter one code, a regular phone opens, and when you enter another, it opens a mode with hidden applications.
However, it is worth considering that installing a third-party launcher on Samsung A5 may lead to some visual inconsistencies. Proprietary functions, such as Always On Display or specific navigation gestures, may not work correctly or require additional configuration.
| Hide method | Protection level | Setting complexity | Impact on battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide icons | Low | Minimum | None |
| Secure Folder | High (Encryption) | Medium | Minimal |
| Third-party launcher | Medium/High | High | Noticeable |
| Disable applications | Average | Low | Positive |
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party launchers, widgets and themes from Samsung may stop working. Before completely replacing the interface, test the launcher for a couple of days.
Disabling system and pre-installed applications
The question of how to hide an application on Samsung A5often concerns not only user software, but also pre-installed system utilities that cannot be removed in the usual way. For such cases, there is a function Disable. It allows you to remove the application icon and stop its operation, freeing up RAM.
To use this option, go to Settings → Applications. Select the app you want to hide from the list (for example, unnecessary Google services or Samsung proprietary utilities). If the button is inactive, click on Settings → Applications Delete in the background. This is a great way not only to hide unnecessary things, but also to speed up the operation of the device, especially on models of previous years, such as Delete inactive, click on Disable.
After confirming the action, the icon will disappear from the menu, and the application will stop updating and running in the background. This is a great way not only to hide unnecessary things, but also to speed up the operation of the device, especially on models of previous years, such as Galaxy A5 2016/2017.
Before disabling system applications, make sure that they are not critical for the operation of the phone. Disabling Google Play services may lead to incorrect operation of the store and other apps.
It is important to note that disabled applications are not physically removed from the internal memory. They simply go into "sleep" mode. At any time, you can go into the settings, find disabled apps (usually they are at the end of the list or in a separate filter) and enable them back.
Restoring access to hidden data
Sooner or later you may need to return a hidden application to a visible place. The recovery procedure depends on which method you used initially. If you used standard hiding of icons, the process will take a couple of seconds.
Go back to the home screen settings, select Hide applications. At the top of the list or in a special section Hidden applications you will see your apps. Click on the cross next to the name or uncheck the box to return the icon to the desktop.
For applications in Secure Folder the process is similar, but requires authentication. Open a folder, enter a password, or place your finger. To display an application, hold down its icon and select Move from Secure Folder. After this, a regular copy of the app will appear in the main menu, the data of which will be synchronized with the protected version (if the application supports cloud synchronization).
⚠️ Attention: When you delete an application from Secure Folder without first moving it, all local data (photos, notes, cache) inside the folder will be permanently deleted.
Always create backup copies of important data before manipulating Secure Folder to avoid losing information due to failures or accidental deletion.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will an application disappear from the list of recent tasks after hiding?
With the standard method of hiding icons, the application may continue to be displayed in the list of recent tasks (Menu button or swipe gesture). To completely hide traces of usage, you need to use Secure Folder or third-party launchers with the function of hiding from the task history.
Is it possible to hide standard Samsung applications, such as Gallery or Contacts?
Yes, most standard applications can be hidden through the launcher settings or by placing copies of them in Secure Folder. However, it will not be possible to completely disable some system components (for example, Phone or Messages) without root access, since they are critical for the operation of the OS.
Will a hidden application take up space in the phone's memory?
Yes, hiding the icon does not affect the space taken up. The application and all its data continue to be stored in internal memory. You can free up space only by completely uninstalling the app or clearing its cache through the settings.
What should I do if I forgot the password for Secure Folder?
If you have linked an account Samsung Account, you can reset the password through it. The first time you enter an incorrect password, the system usually offers the "Reset Password" option. If the account has not been configured, it is almost impossible to restore access to the data inside the folder without resetting the device.
Does hiding applications affect the receipt of notifications?
With the usual hiding of icons, notifications continue to arrive and are displayed on the lock screen. In Secure Folder mode, notifications from hidden applications are not shown on the main profile lock screen by default, which provides additional privacy.