Modern smartphones are becoming a repository of a huge amount of personal information, from banking applications to private correspondence. Often there is a need to remove the icon of a certain app from the main screen so that it does not catch the eye of strangers or simply does not clutter the interface. This task is solved differently depending on the manufacturer of your device and the version of the operating system.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods to make icons invisible without uninstalling the apps themselves. We'll look at built-in shell functions, third-party launchers, and even advanced methods for disabling system components. You can choose the most suitable option for your model Galaxy, Redmi or pure Android.
Using the built-in functions of the Samsung One UI shell
The shell from Samsung is considered one of the most functional in the Android world. The developers have provided a standard tool for hiding applications, which does not require the installation of additional software. This function is located in the main screen settings and works stably on most modern models of the series Galaxy S i A.
To activate the hiding mode, you need to go to the settings menu. Find item Settings → Home screen. In the list of parameters that opens, select the option Hide applications. The system will offer you a list of all installed apps, where you need to check the boxes that you want to remove from public access.
After confirming the selection, the icons will disappear from the desktops and from the menu of all applications. However, to return to them, you need to scroll the list of applications in the menu to the very end - a special folder or section with hidden content will appear there, access to which can be protected by a password or biometrics.
- 🔒 Maximum integration with the Samsung Knox security system.
- 📱 Ability to hide entire folders with games or utilities.
- ⚙️ Setting the display of hidden applications in the system search.
⚠️ Attention: This function may not be available on some custom firmware or stripped-down versions of One UI Go. If you do not find the item you need, check for software updates in the section
Software update.
Hide icons in Xiaomi and Honor skins
Chinese manufacturers offer a more aggressive approach to privacy, often combining hiding applications with the “Second Space” or “Hidden Profile” function. In shells MIUI and HyperOS the process differs from the standard one. Here, a special gesture or password is often used to access hidden content.
In the security settings, find the section Hidden applications. By activating this feature, you can select apps from a list. After this they will disappear from the menu. To call them, you usually need to enter a special code in the dialing window or use a two-finger gesture (spreading to the sides) on the main screen, if this option is enabled in the gesture settings.
Devices Honor and Huawei with shell MagicOS offer similar functionality, but with an emphasis on “Private Space”. This effectively creates a second user profile within one phone. Applications moved there are completely isolated from the main interface and are not visible in normal operation.
If you have forgotten the gesture to bring up hidden applications on Xiaomi, try entering the specified password in the application search field on the main screen.
It is worth considering that the interfaces of Chinese brands change frequently. Menu items can move from the “Security” section to the general “Settings”. If you cannot find the function, use the built-in search for settings by entering the query “hide.”
Using third-party launchers for disguise
If your smartphone does not support hiding icons at the system level, the ideal solution would be to install a third-party launcher. These are apps that completely replace the standard desktop, offering advanced customization options and control over the visibility of elements.
Popular solutions such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcherhave built-in settings for managing the application grid. In the launcher parameters there is usually a section Hidden applications or Drawer Groups. You can create a group, for example, “Personal”, and place the necessary icons there, making the group itself hidden or accessible only with a password.
The advantage of this method is its versatility. The same launcher will work the same on an old budget device and on a flagship. In addition, you get the opportunity to change icons, animations and the desktop grid, which makes the interface unique.
| Launcher | Setting complexity | Hide function | Memory consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Medium | Through box settings | Low |
| Microsoft Launcher | Low | Separate folder | Medium |
| Smart Launcher | Low | Automatic categorization | Low |
| Apex Launcher | High | Password for folders | Medium |
A third-party launcher is the only solution for older versions of Android, where the manufacturer did not provide a function for hiding icons.
Disabling system applications through settings
There is another radical but effective way to remove an icon - disabling the application itself. This method works primarily for system utilities that were preinstalled by the manufacturer. Custom applications downloaded from the store usually do not have an active “Disable” button, but for system services this is standard procedure.
Go to Settings → Applications. Find the app you want to hide from the list. If the button Disable is active, click on it. The system will warn about possible consequences, but after confirmation, the icon will disappear from the screen, and the application will stop working and consume resources in the background.
It is important to distinguish between the concepts of “Delete” and “Disable”. Deleting erases the data completely, while disabling simply freezes the app's state. You can always turn it back on in the same settings menu. This is useful for hiding unnecessary Google or manufacturer services that cannot be removed in the usual way.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable critical system components such as Phone, Messages, or Settings. This may lead to unstable operation of the device or the inability to make calls.
What to do if the “Disable” button is inactive?
If the button is gray and cannot be pressed, it means that this application is a required component of the system or was installed by the user. For such apps, use the method of creating a dummy shortcut or third-party launchers.
Advanced method: hiding via ADB without root access
For experienced users who want to hide absolutely any application, including a custom one, there is a method of using USB debugging. The tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to send commands directly to the system, simulating the actions of an administrator, but without the need to obtain superuser rights (Root).
First you need to activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu, find the section For developers and turn on the toggle switch USB debugging.
Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. On the PC where ADB is installed, open a command prompt. To hide an application, you need to enter a command that changes the component's state to disabled. The command syntax is as follows:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 app.package.nameTo find out the package name, you can use the command adb shell pm list packages or look at it in third-party applets like App Inspector. After executing the command, the icon will instantly disappear. To return the application, use the command adb shell pm enable application package name.
- 💻 Allows you to hide any applications, even without the “Disable” button in the menu.
- 🛡️ Does not require a violation of the warranty and obtaining root access.
- 🔄 The process is completely reversible through the same console.
⚠️ Attention: Command line interfaces and package names may differ on different devices. An error in entering the package name may result in the system process being hidden. Always double-check the name before pressing Enter.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
Creating dummy shortcuts for masking
Sometimes the user needs not so much to hide the application, but disguise it as something else. For example, change the “Gallery” icon to the “Calculator” icon. This can be done using special utilities for creating shortcuts, such as X Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker.
The principle of operation is simple: you create a new shortcut on the desktop that links to the desired application, but assign it any name and any icon from the set or downloaded from a file. The old original shortcut can be deleted or moved deeper into the menu.
This method is ideal for creating “hides”. You can rename the messenger to “Weather” and put the corresponding icon. To an outsider, it will look like a regular utility. However, it is worth remembering that when you open such a shortcut, the original application with its own interface will still launch.
Some launchers allow you to change icons using built-in tools. In Nova Launcher, for example, just long press on the icon, select “Edit” and upload a new image. This is faster than installing separate applications for changing icons.
For maximum camouflage, download a pack of icons in the “Minimal” or “System” style so that your recolored shortcut does not stand out from the general background with a too bright design.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will hidden applications be restored after resetting the settings?
No, when performing a full reset (Factory Reset), all launcher settings, hiding options and applications disabled via ADB will return to their original state. You will have to adjust the visibility of the icons again.
Is it possible to hide an application so that it is not visible even in the settings?
It is impossible to completely remove an application from the list of installed ones in the menu Settings → Applications without root access. The system must always “know” about the installed components in order to work correctly. The maximum that can be achieved is disabling and hiding the icon.
Does hiding an icon affect the operation of notifications?
In most cases, notifications continue to arrive even if the icon is hidden. You will see them in the notification shade. To completely stop notifications, you need to go into the settings of a specific application and prevent their display manually.
Is it safe to use third-party launchers to hide banking applications?
Using proven launchers from the official store Google Play is safe. However, for maximum protection of financial data, it is better to use the built-in “Folders” or “Second Space” functions, which have a deeper level of integration with the smartphone’s security system.
What should I do if I forgot the password for a hidden folder?
If you use the built-in security function (for example, in Samsung or Xiaomi), password recovery is possible through the manufacturer's account (Samsung Account or Mi Account). If the password is forgotten in a third-party launcher, often the only way out is to clear the launcher data in the phone settings, which will reset all desktop settings.