Key operations
- Finding hidden apps is often as simple as going to your Android device’s settings. You can also sometimes find hidden apps inside folders in the app drawer.
- You can use third-party launchers and file managers to quickly find hidden files.
- Look for trick apps that can hide other sensitive data like photos and important documents.
Smartphones can keep many apps out of the limelight. If you’re wondering how to find hidden apps on Android, whether it’s your phone or someone else’s, there are a few ways you can do it.
Find hidden apps through settings
Android’s settings menu is complex enough that you often need tools like the Google Settings app to access hidden features. So that’s the first place to look for the answer to the question, “How can I find hidden apps on my phone?”
Since each device has a complete list of its applications, familiarize yourself with the basic steps to view it. Tap first settings icon on the home screen or app drawer and select applications from the menu. If things look different on your device, just go to the tab that deals with your phone’s apps.
From there you should have access to a See all applications option. Tap it to see all the apps on your device. Just scroll through them to explore the contents of your device.
If you or another user has disabled and hidden apps, you should also find an option to see only those apps. Look for it All applications button. Tapping on it opens a drop-down menu that can show you Disabled applications.
Find hidden apps with special access
In yours applications menu, you will find an option under the heading Special access to the application. Here, your apps are broken down by the privileges they have on your phone.
For example, if you enter the Access to all files, will show you every single application that can use your digital files. You can filter through apps with access to images, notifications, VR assistive services, Wi-Fi control and more.
This is a great way to narrow down the selection of programs you’re looking for, giving you a more productive approach to finding hidden apps on Android.
Find hidden apps in app drawer folders
As Android devices evolve, they offer better ways to manage your content. Different manufacturers and launchers offer different solutions for hiding apps on Android, but they all have one thing in common: the app drawer. It’s a view of apps that can be scrolled when you swipe up on your phone’s home screen.
From here, you can hide and reveal apps on some Android systems via the menu button in the drawer—it usually looks like three dots or a gear icon. Other devices have alternative features, such as maps. To use them, open the menu, select Create a foldertype a title and select apps to group.
When looking for hidden apps, be sure to check the folders as they can hide the apps they contain. So finding hidden apps on your Android device can be as simple as browsing more carefully.
Find hidden apps through the file manager
Another way to browse apps on your phone is to use a file manager. All Android devices should have this feature in one form or another, usually flagged Files.
Tap the file manager icon to open a list of categories and tools. Get in applications to see all programs installed on your device along with all APK (Android Package) files. Besides showing hidden and forgotten apps, you can manage every item from here, from sharing to uninstalling.
However, the file manager does not always display system applications that are part of the basic functions of the device. In other words, refer to the file manager only if you want to find hidden applications that you have previously downloaded.
Another feature to keep in mind is Secure folder option in many file managers. This is a secure place to store your files and requires a PIN or pattern to unlock. It’s not so much about apps, but it’s a good place to look for hidden data while also exploring the nooks and crannies available on Android devices.
If the file manager you already have doesn’t suit your needs, you can always download a better one. Try apps like Cx File Explorer to enjoy a cleaner interface, smoother organization of your files, and much more detail about your phone’s active and hidden apps.
Find hidden apps with new launcher
If you don’t like the look of your current Android system, you can install another launcher that suits your workflow. Although there are security issues surrounding third-party Android launchers, apps like Microsoft Launcher and Nova Launcher are among the best in the Play Store.
Take Microsoft software for example. Adds a Hidden apps to the app drawer, displays the most recent apps on the device and allows you to customize their layout from a vertical or horizontal grid to an alphabetical list.
From yours Hidden apps settings, you can even choose a password, set quick access to apps via the dock, and make them visible in search results. In other words, you can keep hidden files safe and avoid losing track of them.
Check out the best Android launchers for any device and see which ones are most effective at revealing hidden apps and files.
Find hidden apps inside Trick apps
Android users can hide more than just apps on their phones, so it’s important to know the many different ways one can keep materials secret. Trick apps are a popular method to hide private photos on Android or documents with personal information.
A great example is the Calculator Photo Vault, which does everything a calculator should do while hiding a very handy stash along with a few security tools. For example, you can protect your hidden pictures, videos and files behind a hidden icon, password and selfie from intruders.
Cheat software affects your search for hidden apps. Even if you use all of the above methods, you might completely overlook the innocent calculator icon.
Solving this problem is a matter of knowledge. Stay up-to-date with a range of mobile apps and note certain programs that double as secret vaults.
Now that you know how to find hidden apps on Android devices in the most productive way, it’s important to understand why people would hide data in the first place. A parent would want to prevent their child from using risky programs, while a lawyer—or a spy—would hide sensitive information.
You can also use these Android tricks to discover your old apps and files. So getting into your own mindset is just as helpful in remembering when and why you put them there as it is in deciding whether or not to keep them.