Hiding applications on smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI is a task that worries many users. The reasons may be different: from the desire to protect personal data from prying eyes to the need to hide work instant messengers from children or colleagues. Unlike “pure” Androiddevices Samsung offer several built-in tools for this purpose, but not everyone knows about their existence or proper use.

It is important to understand that simply removing an icon from the main screen is not equivalent to fully hiding it. The application will still be displayed in the menu of all apps, and when searching through the system, it will appear in the results. In this article we will look at 7 working methodsincluding little-known functions One UI, third-party utilities and even system tricks without superuser rights. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different firmware versions and models. records Samsung Galaxy (from S21 to S24 Ultra).

Before you begin, be aware that some methods may conflict with corporate device security policies or parental controls. If your phone is linked to a work account Samsung Knox, some functions will be blocked by the administrator.

📊 Why do you want to hide the application?
So that no one sees personal data
Hide work messengers
Restrict access child
Just for order on the screen
Other

1. Built-in "Hidden Applications" function in One UI

The most obvious and safe way is to use the native tool SamsungIt is available on all devices with One UI 2.0 and newer (including Galaxy S20, Note 20, A52 and more recent models). The function does not remove the app, but only hides it from the menu and search, leaving it accessible through a special menu.

To activate it:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Home screen.
  • 🔍 Scroll down and select Hide applications (on some firmware the item is called Hidden applications).
  • ✅ Tick the apps you want to hide and click Done.

After this, the icons will disappear from the main screen and from the general list of applications. To get them back, repeat the steps and uncheck them. Important: apps hidden in this way will still see notifications and can be displayed in Recent applications (to avoid this, read the section about Secure Folder).

☑️ Checking whether the application is hidden

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2. Secure Folder: a secure container for confidential applications

Secure Folder is a “sandbox” from Samsung, which creates an isolated space on the phone. All apps and files installed there are encrypted and accessible only after authentication (password, fingerprint or face scan). This method is more reliable than the previous one, since it hides not only icons, but also a trace of application activity.

How. configure:

  1. 🔒 Go to Settings → Biometrics and Security → Secure Folder.
  2. 📥 If the feature is disabled, follow the instructions to activate it (an account will be required Samsung).
  3. ➕ Inside Secure Folder open Galaxy Store or Play Market and install the necessary applications.
  4. 🔄 Alternatively: transfer already installed apps through the menu Add applications.

Advantages of the method:

  • 🔐 Complete isolation: applications in Secure Folder are not visible in the main interface and do not leave traces in notifications.
  • 📱 Duplicate support: you can install a second copy of the messenger (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) with another account.
  • 🔄 Synchronization: data inside the folder is backed up in Samsung Cloud.

Restrictions:

  • ⚠️ Some system applications (for example, Camera or Gallery) cannot be duplicated.
  • ⚠️ When you reset the phone, the content Secure Folder is deleted if there was no backup copies.
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If Secure Folder is not displayed in the settings, check if it is disabled via Settings → Additional features → Secure Folder. On some firmware the item is hidden deeper.

3. Disabling applications through settings (for system apps)

If the goal is to hide pre-installed system applications (for example, Samsung Pay, Bixby or Game Launcher), you can not just hide them, but completely disable. will remove icons, stop background processes and prohibit updates.

Instructions:

  • ⚙️ Go to Settings → Applications.
  • 🔍 Find the desired application through the search or scroll the list.
  • ⚠️ Press Disable (on some models - Uninstall updates → Disable).
  • ✅ Confirm the action.
Application Can I disable Consequences
Bixby Yes The button will disappear Bixby, RAM will be freed
Samsung Health Yes Health data will stop being collected, but ~200 MB will be freed up
Game Launcher Yes Games will launch without optimizations Samsung
Samsung Pay No System application, disabling is blocked

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications can lead to unstable operation of the phone. For example, deactivation Samsung Experience Service breaks themes and widgets Before taking action, check reviews about a specific application on the forums. (for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

4. Using third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher)

If the built-in methods are not satisfactory, you can install alternative launcher. Popular options — Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. They offer advanced settings for hiding icons, including:

  • 📂 Hiding individual applications from the menu.
  • 🔒 Password to access hidden apps.
  • 🎨 Grouping into "secret folders".

Example of settings in Nova Launcher:

  1. 📥 Install the launcher from Play Market and make it the main one.
  2. 🔧 Hold your finger on the main screen → Nova Settings → Applications and widgets.
  3. 🔍 Select Hide applications and mark the ones you need.
  4. 🔒 For additional protection, install the plugin Nova Launcher Prime (paid version) and enable Folder protection.

⚠️ Attention: Hiding through the launcher does not remove the application from the system. It can still be found through standard search. Samsung (Search by device in. notification panel). For complete privacy, combine this method with Secure Folder.
How to return the standard launcher?

To roll back to the native interface One UI, go to Settings → Applications → Select default launcher and select One UI Home.

5. Hiding via ADB (for advanced users)

For those who are ready to work with debug bridge Android (ADB), there is a way to hide applications at the system level. This will not remove apps, but will make them invisible to the launcher and search. The method requires connecting to a PC and enabling USB debugging.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. 🖥️ Install ADB Tools on your computer (download from the official website Android Developers).
  2. 📱 Activate on your phone Developer mode (click on Build number in Settings → Phone information).
  3. 🔌 Connect your phone via USB and select the mode File transfer.
  4. 🐍 Open the command line (or Terminal to Mac/Linux) and enter: 
    adb shell pm hide com.package.name

    (replace com.package.name with the real application ID, for example, com.whatsapp).

  5. 🔄 To return the application, use the command: 
    adb shell pm unhide com.package.name

Where to find package name:

  • 📱 via the app App Inspector (available in Play Market).
  • 🖥️ Via command adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword" (for example, grep "whatsapp").

This method works even on devices with a locked bootloader, but requires caution: the wrong command can disrupt the system. After hiding, the application will stop receiving updates via Play Market, so for critical apps (banking applications, instant messengers) it is better to use Secure Folder.

6. Hiding through "Guest Mode" or "User Profiles"

If you need to temporarily hide applications from another person (for example, you give the phone to a child or colleague), use multi-user mode. In One UI it is called User profiles or Guest mode.

How to enable:

  • 👥 Go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Users.
  • ➕ Click Add guest or Add user.
  • 🔄 After switching to the guest profile, hidden applications will not be visible (but the main profile data will remain protected).

Features of the method:

  • 🔄 You cannot install new ones in guest mode applications without the main user's password.
  • 📱 Calls and SMS will be sent to both profiles (they cannot be hidden).
  • 🔒 When you exit guest mode, all data in it is deleted (except for files on the SD card).
💡

Guest mode is the only way to completely isolate personal data without use Secure Folder. Suitable for temporarily transferring the phone to third parties.

7. Hiding notifications from applications (additional masking)

Even if the application is hidden, its activity can reveal notifications. data-i="226">notifications

  • 🔔 Go to Settings → Notifications.
  • 🔍 Find the desired application in the list.
  • 🚫 Turn off the switch Show notifications.
  • 🔕 For complete privacy, enable Hide notification content (the item may be called Sensitive content).

For instant messengers (for example Telegram or Signal) you can also:

  • 🔐 Disable message previews in the application settings.
  • 📵 Prevent notifications from being shown on the lock screen.
  • 🔔 Set up "silent" notifications (no sound or vibration).

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, banking or two-factor authentication) require notifications to be turned on to function correctly. Disabling them may result in missing important verification codes.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hiding applications on Samsung

Is it possible to hide an application so that it is not displayed even in Secure Folder?

No, Secure Folder itself is a tool for hiding. If you need to hide the application inside it, use archiving or deleting it (but then it will disappear completely. An alternative is to install it only in Secure Folder and not). duplicate in the main profile.

Will the hidden application consume traffic or battery?

It depends on the method:

  • 📱 Hide through One UI: the application remains active and consumes resources.
  • 🔒 Secure Folder: apps are running only when the container is open.
  • ⚙️ Disable via settings: background activity stops.
  • 🖥️ ADB: the application is “frozen” and does not consume resources.

To save battery, combine hiding with disabling background activity in the application settings.

Is it possible to hide Play Market or Galaxy Store?

No using standard means, since these are system applications. However, you can:

  • 📱 Remove their icons from the main screen (but they will remain in the menu).
  • 🔧 Disable via ADB (command pm hide com.android.vending for Play Market).
  • 🔒 Use a launcher with the function of hiding system applications (for example, Nova Launcher + Hide Apps).
Warning: disabling Play Market will disrupt the operation of updates and some services Google.

How to hide an application from parental controls?

If your phone has Samsung Kids or third-party parental controls (for example, Family Link), hiding using standard methods will not work. Options:

  • 🔐 Use Secure Folder (if not blocked by the administrator).
  • 📱 Install the application via APK manually (but this breaks the rules Play Market).
  • 🖥️ Reset phone to factory settings (removes all data!).
⚠️ Bypassing parental controls may violate the user agreement and laws of your country. This information is provided for informational purposes only.
Why did hidden applications appear again after the update? One UI Hidden apps are back?

This is a known problem with moving to new firmware versions (for example, from One UI 5.0 to 6.0Solutions:

  • 🔄 Reapply the hiding settings (for the built-in function or Secure Folder).
  • 📱 If you used ADB, run the commands again.
  • 🔧 Check if the launcher settings have been reset (relevant for Nova Launcher).

To avoid problems in the future, before updating, make a backup copy of your settings via Settings → Accounts and archiving → Backup and recovery.