Hiding applications on Samsung Galaxy A51 is a task that arises for users for various reasons: the desire to remove unnecessary icons from the desktop, privacy protection, or simply the desire for a minimalistic interface. Unlike newer models Samsung with function Secure Folder, Galaxy A51 (released in 2020) does not offer built-in solutions for fully hiding apps. However, this does not mean that the task is impossible.

In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from basic launcher settings to using third-party utilities. It is important to understand that hiding applications is not the same as deleting them: apps continue to run in the background and take up memory. If your goal is to free up space, consider disabling or uninstalling unnecessary services. And if you just need to remove icons out of sight, read on.

1. Standard features: hiding through the launcher settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in functions of the shell One UIthat it is equipped with Samsung Galaxy A51. This method does not require the installation of additional apps and is suitable for most users.

To hide an application:

  • 📱 Long press on an empty space on the desktop, then select Home screen settings (or Launcher settings, depending on the firmware version).
  • 🔍 Scroll down to the section Hide applications (in some versions One UI this item may be called Hide apps).
  • ✅ Check the boxes of those applications that you want to hide from the screen and click Done.

After this, the icons will disappear from the desktop and from the application menu, but will remain accessible through search Samsung (swipe down the screen) or in the phone settings. This method does not protect data hidden apps can still be launched if you know their name.

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If the "Hide applications" option is missing in the launcher settings, update the firmware Galaxy A51 before the latest version One UI. In older builds, this function may not have been available.

⚠️ Attention: Applications hidden through the launcher are still displayed in the list of installed apps (Settings → ApplicationsFor complete privacy, consider other methods from this article.

2. Using folders: a quick way to temporarily hide

If you need to temporarily remove icons, but don’t want to delve into the settings, you can use the standard folders function. This method does not hide applications completely, but makes them less noticeable.

How to do it. works:

  1. Tap and hold the icon of the application you want to hide.
  2. Drag it to another icon to create a folder (for example, "Rarely Used").
  3. Name the folder neutrally (for example, "Tools") and move it to the second screen or to the corner of the desktop.
  4. If necessary, add other applications to the folder to make it look smaller suspicious.

The disadvantage of this method is that the folder is still visible, and when opened it will show all the hidden apps. However, for a quick solution (for example, before giving the phone to friends), this method is ideal.

📊 How often do you hide applications on your smartphone?
Never
1-2 times a month
Every week
I use it all the time

3. Secure Folder: official solution from Samsung (requires configuration)

Samsung Galaxy A51 supports the function Secure Folder —a secure storage in which you can not only hide applications, but also encrypt files. However, by default this option is disabled and must be activated manually.

Setup instructions:

  • 🔒 Go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Secure Folder.
  • 📥 Click Install (if the feature is not already activated) and follow the instructions to create a password or use biometrics.
  • 📦 After setting, open Secure Folder via the icon on the desktop or in the application menu.
  • ➕ Click Add applications and select those that you want to hide from the main interface.

Applications added to Secure Foldercompletely disappear from the main menu and desktop. To open them, you need to go to the protected folder and enter the password. This is the most reliable way to hide without using third-party apps.

⚠️ Attention: If you forget your password Secure Folder, it will be impossible to restore access to hidden data. Samsung does not provide a password reset function for this option.
Hide method Does software installation require Protects data Visibility in settings
Hide via launcher ❌ No ❌ No Visible in Settings → Applications
Folders on the desktop ❌ No ❌ No Visible when opening a folder
Secure Folder ❌ No (built-in) ✅ Yes (encryption) Not visible without a password
Third-party launchers ✅ Yes ❌ No (usually) Depends on the launcher
Hidden applications ✅ Yes ✅ Partially Hidden from standard search

4. Third-party launchers: Nova Launcher and alternatives

If the built-in functions One UI are not enough, you can install an alternative launcher, for example Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher. These apps offer advanced interface settings, including hiding icons.

How to hide applications via Nova Launcher:

  1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
  2. Long press on the desktop → Nova Settings → Applications and widgets settings.
  3. Select Hide applications and mark the apps you need.
  4. Save changes. The icons will disappear, but will remain in the menu of all applications (to hide them there too, use the option Hide from application menu).

Advantages of this method:

  • 🎨 Flexible interface customization (icon size, gestures, themes).
  • 🔄 Ability to roll back to the standard launcher at any time.
  • 📱 Supports gestures for quick access to hidden apps.

Disadvantage: some launchers may slightly increase battery consumption due to running in the background. In addition, hidden applications are still visible in the settings. phone.

Back up your desktop|Check reviews of the launcher on Google Play|Disable battery optimization for the launcher|Check compatibility with your version of Android-->

5. Hiding applications: App Hider, Hide App-Hide Application Icon

For those who are looking for maximum confidentiality, there are specialized utilities, for example App Hider, Hide App-Hide Application Icon or Calculator% (a safe application masquerading as a calculator). These apps not only remove icons, but can also block access to hidden data using a password or fingerprint.

How to work with App Hider:

  • 📥 Install an application from Google Play (make sure you choose a trusted developer with a high rating).
  • 🔐 Create a PIN code or use biometrics for protection.
  • ➕ Add applications to the hidden list through the interface App Hider.
  • 🔄 Icons will disappear, and access to apps will be possible only through the interface App Hider.

Warnings when using third-party hiders:

  • ⚠️ Some applications may request administrator rights - this is a security risk.
  • ⚠️ Free versions are often show advertisements or have restrictions on the number of hidden apps.
  • ⚠️ When you delete a hider, all data inside it may be lost.
What to do if the hider stops working?

If after updating Android or the hider itself, applications stop opening, try:

1. Reboot the phone.

2. Update the hider to the latest version.

3. Restore hidden apps through a backup copy (if the function is supported).

4. As a last resort, remove and reinstall the hider, but this may lead to loss of data inside it.

6. Disabling applications: a radical method for system apps

If your goal is not just to hide, but to completely remove unnecessary system applications (for example, Bixby, Samsung Pay or duplicate services Google), you can use the disable function. This will not remove apps, but will stop them running and remove icons.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system ones.
  3. Find an unnecessary application (for example, Samsung Free) and open its page.
  4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, it means the application is critical for the system).
  5. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear and the app will stop working.

Important:

  • 🔧 Disabling system applications may cause your phone to malfunction. Do not disable services with names com.android. or com.samsung.android.if you are not sure of their purpose.
  • 🔄 To return the application, go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click Enable.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling some system applications (for example, Samsung Knox or Android System WebView) may break the function Secure Folder or cause errors when opening web pages.

7. Root access: hiding for advanced users

If you are ready to take drastic measures, obtaining root access will give you access to deep system settings, including the ability to completely remove or hide system applications. However, this method is only suitable for experienced users, since:

  • 🔓 Root voids the warranty on the device.
  • 🛡️ Increases the risk of virus infection.
  • 🔄 May lead to a “brick” (inoperability) of the phone in case of errors.

If you still decide, use proven tools like Magisk and follow the instructions for your model Galaxy A51 (for example, firmware SM-A515F). To hide applications after getting root, you can use:

  • Titanium Backup — to freeze or remove apps.
  • Luckypatcher — to remove system applications (careful!).
  • Commands ADB to disable packages without root (less risky).

An example command to disable an application via ADB (without root, but requires connection to a PC):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.reminder

Where com.samsung.android.app.reminder is the batch name of the application (you can find it out via App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

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Obtaining root access to Samsung Galaxy A51 requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data on the phone. Always make a backup copy before starting the procedure!

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to hide an application so that it does not appear even in settings?

It is possible to completely remove an application from the list in Settings → Applications only using root access or through ADB-commands, even Secure Folder leaves a trace in the system. If the goal is privacy, use Secure Folder with a strong password or third-party hiders with encryption.

Hidden applications continue to send notifications. How to disable this?

Notifications are managed separately from the visibility of icons. To turn them off:

  1. Go to Settings → Notifications.
  2. Find the desired application and turn off notifications.
  3. For Secure Folder: open it, then go in Settings → Notifications inside the protected folder.
After updating Android, hidden applications appeared again. What to do?

Updates often reset the launcher settings. Try:

  • Repeat the hiding process through the launcher settings or Secure Folder.
  • Update a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) to the latest version.
  • If you used ADB, repeat the command - sometimes you are right are reset.
Is it possible to hide Google Play Market or other system applications?

Hide the icon Google Play Store can be done through the launcher or Secure Folder, but it is impossible to completely disable it without root - this will lead to errors in the system. Alternative: use ADB to disable updates:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending

⚠️ After this, you will not be able to install applications from Play Marketuntil you enable it back.

Is there a way to hide applications without installing additional apps?

Yes, on Samsung Galaxy A51 two methods are available without third-party software:

  1. Hide through the settings of the standard launcher (Home screen settings → Hide applications).
  2. Use Secure Folder (built-in function Samsung).

Both methods do not require root access or installing additional utilities.