Owners of Samsung smartphones are often faced with the need to change the appearance of the home screen, remove unnecessary elements, or limit access to certain functions. The desire to “lock icons” can imply different scenarios: from simply hiding icons to restore order to completely blocking the interface for children or in kiosk mode. The ecosystem One UI from the company Samsung provides a wide range of tools for solving these problems, but they are scattered across different menus, which can cause confusion for an unprepared user.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for managing the visibility and accessibility of application icons. You'll learn how to use built-in hiding features, how to set up parental controls to limit access to apps, and how to activate Samsung Kids or Kiosk mode mode to completely isolate your device. Understanding the difference between simply deleting a shortcut and actually locking an application will help you configure your smartphone exactly as required in your situation.
Whether you just want to clear your desktop of rarely used apps or protect your device from accidental clicks by a child, Android based on the Samsung shell has the right solution. We will look at both standard tools and advanced settings available through special operating modes of the device.
Differences between deleting, hiding and blocking icons
Before getting started with the settings, it is critical to understand the difference between the three main actions that the user can perform with an application icon. Many people confuse these concepts, expecting one result and getting another. Deleting an icon from the home screen only removes the shortcut shortcut, but the application itself remains installed and accessible through the all apps menu. This is the simplest way to organize space that does not affect the functionality of the system.
Hide icons is a shell function One UIthat makes the application invisible both on the desktop and in the general list of apps. However, the app continues to run in the background, receive notifications and take up memory space. To access a hidden application, you will need to know a special path in the settings or use search. This is ideal for apps that you rarely use, but do not want to delete.
Finally, lock implies a prohibition on launching an application or changing its position on the screen. This is achieved through parental controls, kiosk mode, or third-party launchers. In this case, the icon may be visible, but clicking on it will not launch the app without entering a password or disabling the protection mode. Only kiosk mode allows you to completely block the exit from one specific application, hiding all other system icons.
- 🔍 Removing the shortcut leaves the application is available in the general menu.
- 👻 Hiding makes the app invisible, but it continues to function.
- 🔒 Locking prohibits launching or changing the location of the icon.
How to hide applications through Samsung home screen settings
The most common request from users concerns hiding icons so that they do not become an eyesore. In Samsung Galaxy smartphones, this is done through the settings of the launcher itself. You do not need to install additional software, since the function is built into the system by default. First, you need to go to the desktop editing mode by holding down an empty space on the screen with your finger or pinching with two fingers.
In the bottom menu that appears, select the item Settings (gear icon). Next, find the section Hide applications. A list of all installed apps will open. Just click on the icons you want to hide from view. After selecting, confirm the action with the Donebutton. Now these applications will disappear from the main screen and from the “All applications” menu.
However, it is worth remembering an important feature: hidden applications can still be found through Samsung or Google global search if you enter their name. In addition, notifications from such apps will continue to appear in the curtain. To completely restrict access, launcher settings alone are not enough, and you will need deeper restriction methods, which we will discuss below.
To quickly return a hidden application, go to the hiding settings again and click on the cross next to the app icon.
The process can be reversed at any time. If you decide that you need the application to be visible again, just repeat the procedure and uncheck the hide box. This is convenient for temporarily organizing your workspace, for example, when you are preparing a phone for sale or handing it over to a colleague to demonstrate only certain functions.
Using Samsung Kids mode to block access
If your goal is not just to hide icons, but to prevent children from launching certain games or social networks, the standard function Samsung Kids is ideal. This mode creates an isolated environment in which only those applications that you have explicitly allowed are available. All other icons, system settings and personal data become inaccessible.
To activate, lower the notification shade and look for the icon Samsung Kids (usually a smiling face). When you first start the system, you will be prompted to set up a child’s profile and set a PIN code to exit the mode. Inside this space, you can add shortcuts to only allowed apps. The parent can flexibly set the usage time and limits for each app.
⚠️ Attention: Samsung Kids mode can only be exited after entering a PIN code or biometric authentication. Don't forget this code, otherwise you will have to reset your device to regain access.
In Kids mode, the interface completely changes: the icons become larger, and the background processes of the parent phone are blocked. This is an effective way to “lock down” your entire phone, leaving only a calculator, an educational game, or a call to your parents accessible. The standard desktop with your personal applications is completely hidden from the child’s eyes at this moment.
☑️ Setting up Samsung Kids
Blocking the icon layout in Kiosk mode
For scenarios when the phone is used as a terminal, a display case, or given to an employee to perform one task, exists Kiosk mode. This feature allows you to pin one application to the entire screen and block the ability to exit it, minimize it, or open the multitasking menu. All other icons on the screen become virtually inaccessible.
Activation is done through Settings → Lock screen and security → Other security options → Kiosk mode. Here you need to enable the function and select an application that will work in this mode. After turning on, the phone will go into a state where only the selected software is visible on the screen. Attempts to press the Home or Back button will be ignored by the system.
| Parameter | Standard mode | Kiosk mode | Samsung Kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to settings | Full | Locked | Limited |
| Number of applications | All installed | Only one | Selected by parent |
| Exit mode | Instant | By PIN code | By PIN code |
| Icon lock | No | Full (except one) | Custom |
You can exit kiosk mode only by using a combination of volume buttons or by entering a special code that is specified when the function is turned on. This is a reliable way to fix the interface. If you need to temporarily show someone a photo or video without giving access to other galleries or instant messengers, this method is best suited.
What to do if you forgot the exit code from the Kiosk?
If you forgot the PIN code to exit kiosk mode, the only solution is often to force a reboot of the device (press and hold the Power and volume), however in some versions of One UI this may require you to enter your Samsung account to confirm the owner's rights.
Prohibition of changing the arrangement of icons (Layout Lock)
Often, by the phrase “lock icons”, users mean a ban on accidentally moving or deleting them. Samsung's interface includes a home screen layout lock feature. When activated, you will not be able to drag icons, delete them, or create new folders until you disable this protection. This is useful if you have already created perfect order and are afraid of disturbing it.
To enable this function, hold down an empty space on the desktop and go to Settings. Find the switch Lock the home screen layout and activate it. Now any attempts to_long_press_ (long press) on the icon will not bring up the edit menu. The icons seem to “stick” to their places.
It is important to note that this lock only affects the visual layout. It does not prevent applications from running. The app will still open with a single click. Also, this function does not hide icons from the “All applications” menu; it only fixes their position on the main page. For complete protection against changes, it is recommended to combine this setting with setting a password on the lock screen.
Layout lock protects only the visual arrangement of icons, but does not restrict launching applications or accessing the settings menu through the curtain.
Third-party launchers for advanced locking
If Samsung's built-in tools are not enough for you, the market offers many third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher. These applications replace the standard shell and provide more flexible locking settings. For example, in Nova Launcher you can set a password to launch a specific application or hide its icon more securely.
Using a third-party launcher requires permission to be accessible and overlay on top of other windows. After installation, you will be able to create profiles: for example, “Work”, where only office apps are visible, and “Home”, where games are available. Switching between profiles can be carried out according to a schedule or geolocation.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a third-party launcher, some Samsung proprietary functions, such as one-handed gestures or specific animations, may not work correctly or be unavailable. Always check compatibility before completely replacing the interface.
Some launchers allow you to completely disable the application bar, leaving only what you have placed on your desktops. This creates a “blank slate” effect where the user only sees what you showed them. To implement this scheme, you need to remove all unnecessary widgets and icons, and then enable editing blocking in the settings of the launcher itself.
Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting
Is it possible to hide system applications (Phone, Messages)?
Use standard One UI tools to hide critical system applications applications are usually not allowed, as this may interfere with the operation of the device. However, in Kiosk or Samsung Kids mode, access to them is automatically blocked unless you add them to the allowed list.
Why does a hidden application still send notifications?
The hiding function in the launcher only affects the visual display of the icon. The application itself does not stop working. To remove notifications, you need to go to Settings → Notifications and disable them for a specific application manually.
How to remove the "Secure Folder" icon from the screen?
Icon You can hide the Secure Folder by going into the settings of the Secure Folder itself and disabling the “Show icon on Applications screen” option. Access to files inside will remain possible only by entering a password or fingerprint in the notification shade.
Are the lock settings reset when you reboot?
No, Kiosk mode, layout lock and hidden application settings are saved after the device is rebooted. The only thing that may be required is to re-enter the PIN code to exit special protection modes.