Modern smartphones have turned into digital repositories of our personal lives, where correspondence, banking data and confidential photos are stored. The device, despite its age, remains a popular choice thanks to its balanced characteristics and the EMUI shell, which offers flexible tools for managing content. However, the issue of privacy often comes to the fore, especially when several people use the phone or the device may fall into the wrong hands for a short time. Honor 10 Lite, despite its age, remains a popular choice thanks to its balanced characteristics and EMUI shell, which offers flexible tools for managing content. However, the issue of privacy often comes to the fore, especially when the phone is used by several people or the device may fall into the wrong hands for a short time.
The standard Android interface does not always provide an obvious “Hide” button for each installed software, which raises natural questions among users. In this article we will analyze in detail the built-in capabilities of the system, the features of the launcher and third-party methods for ensuring confidentiality. You will learn how to effectively hide apps that are unnecessary in plain sight without deleting them from the device's memory.
It is important to understand that hiding an icon does not always mean complete protection of data from prying eyes. For maximum security, you need to combine visual hiding with setting passwords or using special protected spaces. Let's look at all the available options, from the simplest settings to advanced methods of organizing the desktop.
Built-in privacy functions in the EMUI shell
The shell EMUIinstalled by Honor 10 Lite by default, has a number of functions aimed at protecting user data. Huawei and Honor developers have implemented a mechanism that allows you to hide not only files, but also entire apps from the general list. This feature is activated through the standard Phone or Contacts application, which may not seem obvious to a new user.
To access the hidden space, you must dial a special code in the dialer interface. By default, the system often suggests using the hashtag followed by password, for example #password#. After entering the combination, a separate window opens where you can move applications, photos and contacts. This creates the effect of completely disappearing objects from the main screen.
It is worth noting that the functionality may differ depending on the version of the software installed on your device. In older firmware, this option could be implemented differently or absent altogether. Therefore, if the standard method does not work, it makes sense to check for system updates in the settings menu.
⚠️ Attention: Remember the access code to the hidden space! If you forget a combination of symbols, it may be extremely difficult or impossible to restore access to hidden data without resetting your settings.
Use a combination as an access code that is easy for you to remember, but difficult for a stranger to guess. Avoid obvious dates of birth or sequences like 1234.
Desktop customization and Private Space mode
An alternative to manually hiding through dialing is the PrivateSpace function. This is a full-fledged isolated profile in the system that works as a second phone inside your Honor 10 Lite. Activating this feature creates a separate desktop, access to which is protected by a unique fingerprint or PIN.
To enable this mode, go to Settings → Security → Private space. The system will prompt you to configure an unlocking method different from the main one. After activation, you will be able to install any applications in this space, and they will not appear in the main list of apps or in the main profile settings.
Using different fingerprints to enter the main and private modes significantly speeds up switching. For example, the right thumb opens the normal interface, and the left index finger instantly switches the smartphone to hidden mode. This is convenient for quick access to confidential data in the presence of other people.
- 🔒 Complete data isolation: applications in the private space do not see the main profile files.
- 👆 Quick switching: biometrics or different passwords are used to log in.
- 📱 Independent notifications: messages from hidden messengers do not appear in the main curtain.
☑️ Activating the Private Space
Using third-party launchers for disguise
If the built-in tools are not suitable for some reason or the interface seems inconvenient, third-party launchers come to the rescue. apps like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher provide advanced customization options, including the function of hiding icons from the application menu.
The setup process is usually intuitive: after installing the launcher, you need to go to its settings and find the section responsible for displaying the application menu. There will be an option to “Hide Apps”. By selecting the desired apps from the list, you will remove their visual representation, although they will remain installed on the system.
You will have to get used to the new animations, gestures and widget layout. In addition, some shell-specific features may not work correctly or require additional permission settings. EMUI, may not work correctly or require additional permission settings.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party launchers may consume more RAM than the standard Honor launcher. On devices with 3 GB of RAM, this may result in background apps being unloaded more frequently.
How to return to the default launcher?
If you want to opt out of a third-party solution, go to Settings → Applications → Default apps → Home screen and select Honor Home. If the item is inactive, you may need to reset the launcher settings in its own menu.
Protecting individual applications with a password
Sometimes hiding an icon is an excessive measure, and it is enough to simply protect the entrance to a specific application with a password. It Honor 10 Lite has a built-in “Application Blocking” function, which allows you to set protection for the launch of selected apps. The icon remains in place, but when clicked, the system requests authentication.
You can configure this function through the menu Settings → Security → Application blocking. Here you will see a list of all installed apps with switches next to each. By activating the switch, you force the system to request a password, pattern or fingerprint every time you try to open this software.
This method is especially effective for social networks, galleries and banking clients. It does not hide the fact that the application is on the phone, but it reliably prevents unauthorized access to the content. For greater privacy, you can also disable notification previews for protected apps.
| Protection type | Security level | Security level | Setting complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide by dialing | High | Medium | Low |
| Private space | Maximum | High | Medium |
| Third-party launcher | High | Low | High |
| App locking | Low | High | Low |
Combining application locking and hiding icons gives the best result: even if someone finds a way to display hidden apps, he will not be able to open them without a password.
Disable system ones and unnecessary applications
The issue of privacy often intersects with the desire to clear the interface of pre-installed software that the user does not use. On Honor 10 Lite many system applications cannot be completely removed without superuser rights (root), but they can be disabled. A disabled application disappears from the menu and stops consuming resources in the background.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications, select the object you are interested in and click the “Disable” button. The system will warn you about possible consequences, since some components may be associated with the operation of other services. After confirmation, the icon will disappear from the desktop and from the list of all apps.
Be careful when disabling Google or Huawei system components. Inexperienced actions can lead to unstable operation of the phone, synchronization failures, or problems with updating. It is recommended to disable only those apps whose purpose is completely clear to you and which you definitely do not plan to use.
Solving problems with hiding and recovery access
When setting up privacy, users may encounter situations where hidden applications do not appear back or access to private space is lost. Often the problem lies in a system update that resets some launcher settings or changes the algorithms for security functions.
If you are using a third-party launcher and after updating Android the icons became visible again, check the hiding settings in the launcher itself. Sometimes a reset occurs due to version incompatibility. For Honor built-in features, make sure you enter the correct passcode, taking into account case and special characters.
As a last resort, if you lose access to important data, you may need to perform a full factory reset. This measure will delete all information from the phone, including hidden files, so you should resort to it only when other methods have been exhausted. Regular backup of important data to a cloud server or computer will help avoid such disasters.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the EMUI version and regional firmware of your Honor 10 Lite. If you do not find the specified option, use the search in the settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to hide applications on Honor 10 Lite without installing third-party apps?
Yes, it is possible. You can use the built-in hiding function through dialing (code #password# in the Phone application) or activate the “Private Space” mode in the security settings. These methods do not require downloading additional software.
Will the person to whom I give the phone see hidden applications in the settings?
When using “Private Space”, applications are not displayed in the main list of installed apps in the settings. When using the hiding method through dialing, applications also disappear from the general menu, but an experienced user can find them through a search in the settings or using ADB, if additional protection is not installed.
What will happen to calls and messages from hidden applications?
If the application is simply hidden from the desktop, notifications may continue to appear in the notification curtain. To completely hide the fact of communication, you need to disable the display of notification content on the lock screen in the security and notification settings of a specific application.
How to return a hidden application to the desktop?
To do this, you need to enter the access code again in the “Phone” application (if this method was used) and click the “Add” or “Show” button next to the desired application. If Private Space was used, simply switch to the main profile and remove the application from the hidden profile or transfer it.
Does hiding applications affect the performance of the Honor 10 Lite?
Hiding the icon itself does not affect performance, since the application continues to run in the background. However, the use of heavy third-party launchers for disguise can increase the consumption of RAM and reduce the speed of the interface on this smartphone model.