Modern smartphones store a huge amount of personal information, from bank secrecy to private correspondence and photos. Google's operating system offers advanced privacy features, but not all of them are obvious to the average user. There is often a need to remove certain icons from the main screen so that prying eyes do not see the presence of specific software. Android 9 Pie, released by Google, offers advanced privacy features, but not all of them are obvious to the average user. Often there is a need to remove certain icons from the main screen so that prying eyes do not see the presence of specific software.
Unlike newer versions of the OS, the ninth version of the “green robot” does not have a single universal “Hide All” button available on all devices. The implementation of this function directly depends on the manufacturer of your gadget and the installed shell. For example, owners Samsung or Xiaomi have built-in tools, while users of “pure” Android will have to look for alternative solutions.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to make applications invisible on Android 9. We will consider both standard system tools and the use third-party software, and also discuss data security issues when using such methods.
Built-in security functions in different shells
Smartphone manufacturers often supplement the standard operating system with their own add-ons, which include privacy managers. If you have a device from a major brand, the likelihood of having such a feature is extremely high. This tool is usually called "Hidden Apps" or "App Lock" and is located in the general settings.
To access these settings, you need to open the menu Settings of your device. Further, the path may differ: on Samsung you should look for section Lock screen and protection, and on Xiaomi or Redmi - item Applications. Inside these menus there is often a hidden subsection that allows you to select apps to hide.
It is worth noting that hiding through system settings often requires additional authentication. You may need to install a separate PIN code or bind the function to a fingerprint. This provides double protection: even if someone guesses where to look for the hidden information, he will not be able to open access without biometric data.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI, One UI and EMUI shell interfaces are constantly updated. Menu items may move or change names after receiving firmware updates. If you don't find the section you need, use the search in settings by entering the word "Hide" or "Privacy".
Before hiding important applications, make sure you remember the password for your Google account or screen unlock. Accidentally blocking access to hidden software may require resetting your phone.
Using third-party launchers for disguise
If the manufacturer of your smartphone does not provide a built-in hiding function, the most effective solution is to install an alternative launcher. A launcher is a app responsible for the appearance of the desktop, application menu and animation. Many popular launchers have built-in modules for controlling the visibility of icons.
One of the leaders in this category is Nova Launcher. In its paid version Prime the function of hiding applications from the menu is available. After installing and activating the launcher, you need to go to its settings, select the "Application Menu" section and find the "Hidden Applications" item. Here you can tick the apps that you want to remove from the general list.
Other popular shells, such as Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher, also offer similar functionality, sometimes even in free versions. The principle of operation is the same everywhere: you select an application, and it disappears from the list of all apps, remaining accessible only through a search or a special gesture.
- 🔒 Nova Launcher Prime — allows you to hide icons and protect them with a password.
- 🎨 Microsoft Launcher —has the “Hidden applications” function in the home screen settings.
- 🚀 Smart Launcher 6 —automatically sorts apps and allows you to put unnecessary ones into hidden section.
- 🛡️ Apex Launcher —a classic solution with the ability to create hidden profiles.
It is important to understand that installing a launcher changes the visual style of your phone. Some users may find this an inconvenience, but the level of customization and privacy you get in return usually outweighs this disadvantage. The installation process takes only a few minutes and does not require complex technical knowledge.
The "Freeze" function of applications without deleting
Another effective method available on Android 9 is using the freezing function. Unlike simply hiding an icon, freezing deactivates the application completely. It stops consuming processor resources, does not receive notifications and does not work in the background, but is not removed from the device.
On many devices with shells from Chinese manufacturers, this function is built into the system. It may be called "App Clone" or "Dual Apps" but often has a hide mode. However, for a universal solution, you can use utilities like Ice Box or Freezer. These apps use device administrator rights to pause the selected software.
To use this method, download the freezer application from Google Play. After launch, grant it the necessary rights through the menu Settings → Security → Device Administrators. Then simply add the desired application to the freeze list inside the utility. The icon will disappear from the desktop, and the application itself will turn into a “sleeping” file until you manually activate it.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.example.appnameFor advanced users, it is possible to freeze via USB debugging (ADB), using the command given above. This does not require installing any extra apps, but does require connecting to a computer. An application frozen in this way is completely invisible to the system and other apps.
Risks of using freezing
When system components or critical services are frozen, the phone may become unstable. Always check to see if an application is part of a system process before disabling it.
Creating a secure user profile
The Android 9 operating system supports multi-user mode. This is one of the most reliable ways to isolate applications. You can create a separate user or a guest profile, in which only those apps that you want to hide from the main account will be installed.
To create a new profile, go to Settings → System → Multiple users. Add a new user and switch to him. In this space you can download any applications from the Play Market. When you return to your main profile, all data, icons and notifications from the guest profile will be completely unavailable.
This method is ideal for separating work and personal space. Colleagues who take your phone will see only the working set of apps, while personal instant messengers and social networks will remain in a hidden profile, protected by a separate login PIN code.
| Hide method | Protection level | Setting complexity | Impact on battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in function | Medium | Low | None |
| Third-party launcher | Average | Average | Minimum |
| Freezer | High | Average | Positive |
| Additional. profile | Maximum | High | Depends on background processes |
⚠️ Attention: When you delete an additional user, all data, applications and photos saved in this profile will be irretrievably lost. Be sure to back up important information before deleting your profile.
Google Play Protect Security Policy
When using third-party tools to hide applications, it is important to consider the built-in security system Google Play Protect. This service scans installed apps for malicious code. Some aggressive hiding methods (especially those requiring special permissions or system modifications) may be perceived by security as suspicious activity.
If you use launchers or utilities for freezing, download them only from the official store Google Play. Avoid installing .apk files from dubious sites that promise “invisibility” at any cost. Often, under the guise of such apps, spyware modules are hidden, which, on the contrary, transfer your data to third parties.
Android 9 has tightened the rules for accessing background activity. Applications that try to hide their presence in unconventional ways may be limited by the system in terms of power consumption or network access. This may cause the hidden messenger to stop receiving messages until you open it again.
Data security is more important than hiding it. Using certified apps from the official store ensures that the hiding tool itself does not become a threat to your privacy.
Frequently asked questions about hiding apps
Is it possible to hide system apps on Android 9?
Hide critical system apps (e.g. Phone, Messages, Settings) using standard methods is not possible, as this may cause the device to malfunction. However, some launchers allow you to remove their icons from the desktop, although they will remain visible in the settings menu. Complete masking of system components requires root accesswhich is not recommended for ordinary users due to the risk of losing warranty and system stability.
Will the hidden application see my notifications on the lock screen?
It depends on the selected method. If you're using the built-in hide feature or user profile, notifications typically don't appear on the main profile's lock screen. However, when using simple launchers, you may still receive notifications. To avoid this, you need to additionally go to Settings → Notifications and block the display of content for a specific application.
Will the phone's performance decrease after hiding apps?
Using launchers can slightly increase RAM consumption, but on modern ones On devices running Android 9, this is almost unnoticeable. The Freeze method, on the contrary, can even improve battery life, since hidden applications do not run in the background and do not drain battery power. Creating an additional profile also does not affect the speed of the main account.
What if I forgot the password for hidden applications?
In most cases, when setting a password to hide, the system prompts you to link it to your Google account or specify a security question. If these methods do not help, the only solution may be to clear the launcher data (which will return all the icons to their place) or reset the phone to factory settings. That is why it is recommended to use biometric unlocking, which cannot be “forgotten.”
Does this method work on tablets with Android 9?
Yes, all the described methods are universal and work on both smartphones and tablets running Android 9. On tablets, the multi-user mode function is often implemented even better and more convenient due to the large screen size, which allows you to quickly switch between work and personal space.