Modern smartphones Samsung Galaxy have powerful functionality that allows you not only to install applications, but also to fine-tune the visual component of your desktop. One of the most popular features among users is the ability to hide the app icon without having to delete or disable it. This is especially true when you want to free up space on the main screen from rarely used utilities or want to limit access to certain content for prying eyes.
Unlike many other manufacturers, the company Samsung offers built-in tools for solving this task right in the shell One UI. You don't have to download dubious apps or receive root accessto achieve the desired result. However, the process may differ slightly depending on the version of the operating system Android and the specific modification of the interface installed on your device.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to hide shortcuts. We will look at both the standard launcher settings and the use of a protected folder Secure Folder, which is a unique feature of the Korean giant's ecosystem. We will also touch on data security issues and the impact of such manipulations on the operation of notifications.
Standard home screen settings in One UI
The easiest and fastest way to remove unnecessary icons from view is to use the built-in hiding function in the desktop settings. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works stably on most current models of the series Galaxy S i Galaxy A. The algorithm of actions is intuitive, but has its own nuances depending on the firmware version.
First, you need to hold down an empty space on any of the desktops. This action activates the interface editing mode. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen, where you need to select the item Settings (gear icon). Next, the system will offer a list of available configuration options, among which we are interested in the section Hide applications.
After clicking on this item, a complete list of all installed apps will open. You can check the boxes next to those that you want to make invisible. Once the selection is made, be sure to press the button Done at the bottom of the screen, otherwise the changes will not be saved. Hidden applications will disappear from the home screen and from the application menu, but will remain accessible through search or settings.
Hidden applications still take up space in the phone's memory and can run in the background, consuming battery power.
It is worth noting that this method is superficial. If someone goes into the launcher settings, they can easily see the list of hidden apps and put them back. Therefore, for real privacy, this method is poorly suited, but for the aesthetic cleanliness of the desktop it is ideal.
Using the Secure Folder
If your goal is not just to remove the icon, but to reliably protect the data inside the application from prying eyes, then the function Secure Folder (Secure Folder) will be the best solution. This is an isolated space on your smartphone that requires separate authentication (password, fingerprint or face scan) to access.
To use this tool, first make sure it is activated. Go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Secure folder. If the function is disabled, the system will prompt you to configure the protection method and log in. After activation, a new folder icon will appear on the desktop. Samsung Account. After activation, a new folder icon will appear on the desktop.
Inside Secure Folder you can install copies of any applications. It is important to understand that these will be copies: the data in them is not synchronized with the main versions of the apps. For example, you can install a second WhatsApp or a hidden bank client inside a folder, and their icons will not be visible from the outside without entering a password.
- 🔐 Complete isolation of data from the main system.
- 📱 Ability to clone popular instant messengers and social networks.
- 🙈 Icons inside folders are not displayed in the general application menu.
- ⚙️ Ability to hide the “Secure Folder” icon from the desktop.
For maximum effect, you can hide the shortcut itself Secure Folder. To do this, lower the notification shade, find the “Secure Folder” tile and deactivate it. Now you can get inside only through the settings or by adding a widget to the lock screen.
☑️ Setting up a protected folder
⚠️ Attention: When you delete an application from the “Secure Folder”, all data inside it will be irretrievably lost. Do not confuse deleting a copy with deleting the main application.
Hide through third-party launchers
The standard interface One UI is good, but does not always provide sufficient flexibility. If standard methods do not suit you or you want more advanced disguise functions, you should pay attention to third-party launchers. The most popular and functional solution in this segment is Nova Launcher.
After installing such a launcher and assigning it as the default application, you get access to advanced appearance settings. In the settings menu Nova there is a special section Hidden applications. The mechanics of operation are similar to the standard one, but often allow you to hide applications more reliably, without leaving traces in the Samsung system settings.
In addition, many advanced launchers allow you to change icons, their size, and even create pseudo-shortcuts that open completely different apps. This is the height of conspiracy: in place of the calculator icon, the entrance to a private browser may be hidden.
Secrets of setting up Nova Launcher
In the advanced settings of Nova, you can disable Google search on the desktop so that hidden applications are not indexed by the system search. It is also recommended to disable the App Recommendations widget, which can reveal a hidden app.
However, using third-party software has its own risks. System updates Android may disrupt third-party launchers, causing animation glitches or battery consumption. Before installation, make sure that the selected launcher is compatible with your firmware version.
Disabling system applications without uninstalling
Often users want to hide not user apps, but pre-installed system software from Samsung or a telecom operator, which cannot be removed in the usual way. In such cases, the “Disable” function becomes the only correct solution.
When you disable an application, its icon disappears from the menu, it stops updating and running in the background. In fact, the app is “frozen” and takes up minimal memory space (only the installation package). This is an effective way to clear the interface of visual noise.
To perform this operation, go to Settings → Applications. Find the unnecessary app in the list, click on it and select the button Disable. The system will warn you about possible consequences, since some system components are critical for the operation of the phone.
| Application type | Can I disable it? | Risks | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom (Instagram, games) | Yes (via deletion) | No | Installation from the store |
| System (Calculator, Voice Recorder) | Partially | Minimal | Enabled in settings |
| Critical (Phone, Settings) | No (button inactive) | High (system crash) | Reset settings |
| Google / Samsung services | Caution | Medium (loss of synchronization) | Enable in settings |
Be extremely careful when disabling system services. For example, disabling Android System WebView can cause many other applications to stop opening links or displaying content correctly.
Disabling an application is a reversible process. At any time, you can go to the settings and click the “Enable” button to return the app to its place.
The impact of hiding on notifications and operation
Many users are concerned about the question: if I hide the icon, will I receive notifications from this application? The answer depends on the hiding method you choose. When using the standard “Hide applications” function in One UI, the app continues to work as normal.
This means that you you will receive notifications in the curtain, sounds and vibration will be triggered according to the settings. Only the visual component is hidden - the icon. This is convenient for messengers that you need to keep in touch, but do not want to see on your desktop.
In the case of Secure Folder the situation is different. Notifications from applications inside a protected folder are not displayed by default on the lock screen and in the general notification shade, so as not to reveal the presence of hidden content. They can only be seen by unlocking the folder itself.
If it is critical for you that no signals come from a hidden application, it is better to use the Do Not Disturb function for a specific application or completely limit background activity in the battery settings.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu names may vary slightly on different models (for example, Galaxy S23 Ultra and budget Galaxy A14). If you do not find a menu item, check for software updates.
Common problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter difficulties. For example, after hiding an app, it may suddenly reappear after you restart your phone. This behavior usually indicates a launcher malfunction or a software version conflict.
In such a situation, it is recommended to clear the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Applications, find “Home screen” in the list (or the name of your launcher, for example One UI Home). Go to the section Memory and click Clear cache. Do not confuse this with the “Clear data” button, otherwise you will reset the location of all icons on desktops.
Another common problem is the inability to hide certain system applications. This limitation was imposed by the developers Samsung to ensure system stability. Critical services, such as Phone, Contacts or Messages, are often protected from hiding so that the user does not accidentally lose access to basic communication functions.
If standard methods do not help, and hiding the application is necessary, you can use the capabilities developer mode or commands ADB via a computer, but this requires high qualifications and carries the risk of violating the warranty.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to hide an application so that it cannot be found through search?
It is difficult to completely exclude an application from the system search using standard Samsung tools. However, if you place the application in Secure Folder and disable the display of notifications, it will become extremely difficult for the average user to find it. Third-party launchers also allow you to disable indexing of hidden apps.
Will application data disappear if I hide its icon?
No, the data is saved in full. Hiding an icon is just a cosmetic change to the interface. The application continues to take up memory space, store cache, logins and passwords. You can return the icon to its place at any time, and all data will be in its place.
How to return a hidden application back to the desktop?
The process is completely reversible. Press and hold an empty space on the screen, select Settings, then Hide applications. In the list of hidden apps, click on the cross next to the desired application or uncheck it, and then confirm the action with the button Done.
Will the application be updated if its icon hidden?
Yes, hiding the icon does not affect the update mechanism in any way. The application will be automatically updated via Google Play Market or Galaxy Store if there is an Internet connection, just like visible apps.
Is it possible to hide the folder with applications, rather than individual icons?
In the standard interface One UI there is no function for hiding entire folders. You can only hide individual apps within a folder, but the folder itself (if it's not empty) will remain visible. To hide groups of applications, it is better to use third-party launchers or the function Secure Folder.