How to hide icons from the Android desktop: 5 proven methods

The Android desktop often turns into a chaos of dozens of icons - from frequently used applications to system shortcuts that cannot be deleted. But what if you want to keep only the essentials without deleting apps from memory? Hiding icons is the optimal solution for those who value minimalism or simply want to relieve the screen from visual noise.

In this article we will examine 5 working methods hiding icons on Android: from standard launcher functions to advanced methods using ADB. You will learn how to hide both custom and system icons (for example, Google Play Games or Samsung Free), what limitations each method has and how to avoid common mistakes. The instructions are suitable for devices Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, Realme and other brands with shells One UI, MIUI, ColorOS.

Important: some methods require developer rights or root access. If you are a beginner, start with methods without technical manipulations - they are highlighted in separate sections.

1. Hiding icons through the settings of the standard launcher

Most manufacturers build into their shells the function of hiding applications directly from the desktop menu. This method does not require installing third-party apps and is suitable for 90% of modern smartphones.

How it works:

📱 Samsung (One UI): Hold your finger on an empty area of the screen → Desktop settings → Hide applications. Select the desired icons and click Done.
🧩 Xiaomi/Redmi (MIUI): Long press on the screen → Settings → Hide applications. Here you can remove both user and some system shortcuts (for example, Mi Video or GetApps).
🤖 Google Pixel (Stock Android): Hold the icon → drag it up to the inscription Delete (not be afraid - the application will remain in the menu of all applications).
🔄 Realme/Oppo (ColorOS): Click on the three dots in the Dock → Settings → Hide application icons.

Restrictions method:

⚠️ Not all system icons can be hidden (for example, Phone or Messages often remain visible).
⚠️ On some devices, hidden applications disappear from the menu All applications, which complicates their launch.

💡

If, after hiding, the icon reappears after a system update, check the launcher settings - sometimes the reset occurs automatically.

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

Standard Android shells often limit customization options. Third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcheroffer advanced icon management functions, including hiding them.

Step-by-step guide for Nova Launcher:

Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
Press your finger on an empty area of the screen → select Nova Settings.
Go to section Applications and widgets → Hide applications.
Tick the apps that you want to hide from the screen.
Click Done - the icons will disappear, but will remain in the menu of all applications.

Advantages of the method:

🎨 Ability to hide any icons, including system ones (for example, Google Play Books or Duo).
🔄 Flexible display settings: you can hide icons only on certain screens.
📱 Compatible with most devices (including Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei).

What to do if the launcher does not save settings?

If hidden icons return after a reboot, try:

1. Clear the launcher cache in the application settings.

2. Disable battery optimization for Nova Launcher (in Android settings).

3. by default.

Important: some launchers (for example, Microsoft Launcher) synchronize settings with your Microsoft account, which allows you to quickly restore hidden icons after resetting the phone.

3. Creating a hidden folder for unnecessary icons

If you do not want to delete or completely hide icons, you can hide them in folder, which you can then make invisible. This method works on all versions of Android and does not require additional apps.

How to create a hidden folder:

Drag an unnecessary icon onto another icon to create a folder.
Name the folder with a symbol that is not visible (for example, — space or ̲ — underscore without a letter). To do this, copy the symbol from the table below.
Drag the folder to the corner of the screen or to the second desktop.
Set for folder transparent background (in settings launcher, if supported).

Symbol	View	How to paste
Non-breaking space		Copy from this cell
Underline without letter	̲	Copy from this cell
Zero width		Copy from this cell
Space (HTML). width (		Enter manually

Warning:

⚠️ On some launchers (for example, One UI from Samsung) an untitled folder may automatically be renamed "Untitled" after a reboot. In this case, use a zero-width character ().

4. Disabling system applications through Android settings

Some icons on the desktop belong system applicationsthat cannot be deleted, but you can disable. This will remove their shortcuts from the screen and stop background processes.

Instructions:

Open Settings → Applications.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system ones.
Find the application whose icon you want to remove (for example, Google Play Music or Samsung Members).
Press Disable (if the button is active) and confirm the action.

What is important to know:

⚠️ Disabling system applications can lead to unstable operation some functions (for example, disabling Google Play Services will disrupt the operation of many services).
⚠️ On some devices (for example Huawei) disabled applications may still appear in the menu of all applications.
🔄 After a system update, disabled applications may be activated again.

Do not disable Google Play Services

Do not touch applications called "Framework" or "Services"

Before disabling, check reviews of the application on the forums (for example, 4PDA)

Make a backup copy of your data-->

5. Advanced method: hiding icons via ADB (without root)

If the previous methods did not help, you can use ADB commands (Android Debug Bridge). hide any icons, including those that cannot be removed through the launcher. Does not require root access, but activation is required developer mode.

Step-by-step guide:

Enable Developer mode:
- Go to Settings → About phone.
- Click 7 times on Build number (a notification "You have become a developer" will appear).

Return to Settings → System → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the PC, install ADB-tools and run the command:

adb shell pm hide com.android.package

Replace com.android.package to the name of the application package (you can find it out via App Inspector).

To return the icon, use:

adb shell pm unhide com.android.package

Examples of packages of popular system applications:

📱 com.google.android.apps.messaging — Google Messages
🎮 com.google.android.play.games — Google Play Games
📺 com.samsung.android.app.tv.launcher — Samsung TV (on Samsung devices)
📖 com.google.android.apps.books — Google Play Books

⚠️ Attention: incorrect use of ADB may lead to system crash. Before executing commands, make a backup copy of your data. Some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi) block it. ADB commands to hide system packages.

💡

ADB commands are the most powerful way to hide icons, but require caution. Always check the package name before executing the command.

6. Hiding icons using root access (for experienced ones). users)

If you have root access, you can completely remove or freeze system applications, including their icons. To do this, you will need a file manager with root access (for example, Root Explorer) or a freezing application (for example, Titanium Backup).

Instructions for Titanium Backup:

Install Titanium Backup from Google Play.
Grant root access (the application will ask for superuser rights).
Find the desired application in the list and click on it.
Select Freeze! - this will remove the icon from the desktop and stop background processes.

Advantages of the method:

🧊 Complete removal of icons without the possibility of recovery (if deletion rather than freezing is selected).
🔧 Ability to delete built-in applications of the manufacturer (for example, Bixby on Samsung or Mi Browser on Xiaomi).

Risks:

⚠️ Incorrect deletion of system files can remove the phone building.
⚠️ On some devices (for example, Samsung s Knox), root access will void the warranty.
⚠️ After updating the system, deleted applications may return.

Comparison of methods for hiding icons

Method	Difficulty	Requires root	Works for system icons	Reversibility
Launcher settings	⭐	❌ No	⚠️ Partially	✅ Yes
Third-party launcher (Nova)	⭐⭐	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Hidden folder	⭐	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
Disable applications	⭐⭐	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
ADB commands	⭐⭐⭐	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Root access	⭐⭐⭐⭐	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⚠️ Depends on the action

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hiding icons on Android

Is it possible to hide an application icon without deleting it?

Yes, all methods from This article allows you to hide the icon without uninstalling the app. The application will remain in the system and will be accessible through the all applications menu or search.

Why do hidden icons return after updating the system?

This happens because some updates reset the launcher settings or reactivate disabled ones system applications. To avoid this:

Use third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher), which save settings separately from the system.
Regularly check the list of disabled applications in Android settings.

How to hide icons on the lock screen (for example, a camera or a phone)?

Icons on the lock screen are managed separately from the desktop. To remove them:

Go to Settings → Lock screen.
Find the section Application shortcuts or Quick launch.
Disable unnecessary shortcuts or select No.

On some devices (for example, Samsung) this item can be located in Settings → Security → Shortcuts on the lock screen.

Is it possible to hide widget icons (weather, clock, etc.)?

Widgets are deleted differently than application icons. remove the widget:

Press your finger on the widget.
Drag it to the trash (usually appears at the top of the screen).
Confirm deletion if prompted.

If the widget is a system one (for example, Weather on Xiaomi), it can be disabled in the settings of the application to which it belongs.

Is it safe to use ADB to hide icons?

ADB commands are safe if you:

Indicate the package name correctly (check through App Inspector).
Do not disable critical system applications (for example, com.android.systemui).
Use official ADB tools from the website Android Developers.

The risk arises only when disabling random packages. You can always return the icon command pm unhide.

How to hide icons from the desktop on Android: a complete guide 2026