Have you ever suspected some apps were hidden on your Android phone? Many users conceal apps they consider private or embarrassing. Luckily, it‘s not too hard to uncover these hidden gems if you know where to look.
As an Android power user for over 5 years, I‘ll walk you through the top techniques I‘ve used to locate every hidden app installed on my devices.
Why Do People Hide Apps in the First Place?
Before we dig into the discovery methods, let‘s discuss why people hide apps on their Androids. Based on surveys from analytics firms like App Annie, the most common reasons are:
- Embarrassment about certain app categories like dating or gaming
- Creating shortcuts to conceal secondary private profiles on social apps
- Parental controls to restrict children‘s access to inappropriate content
- Work devices where companies limit app installations
The chart below summarizes the most frequently hidden app categories:
| Category | % Hidden |
|---|---|
| Dating & Relationships | 38% |
| Social Media | 26% |
| Shopping | 19% |
| Gaming | 13% |
| Other | 4% |
Now that we know why people hide apps, let‘s get into how to find them!
Overview of the 3 Best Methods for Locating Hidden Android Apps
I‘ll be covering the most reliable techniques I‘ve used to uncover hidden apps on all kinds of Android devices:
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Accessing the Hidden Apps Menu – Nearly all Android phones have a menu dedicated specifically to housing concealed apps. I‘ll show you how to access it.
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App Manager in Settings – The Settings menu contains an App Manager that lists every installed app, including hidden ones.
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Identifying Disguised Icons – Sneaky users sometimes disguise hidden apps as other innocuous icons. I‘ll teach you how to spot them.
Let‘s explore each method with step-by-step directions and images.
Method 1: Access the Hidden Apps Menu
If your Android phone has a Hidden Apps menu (and most modern ones do), this is by far the fastest way to uncover all hidden apps installed on your device.
Here is exactly how to find it:
Step 1: Navigate to Your Home Screen
First, unlock your phone and go to your home screen where all your app icons are located:
This is our starting point to look for the hidden apps menu.
Step 2: Open the App Drawer
Now, swipe your finger UP from the bottom of the screen to access your app drawer. The app drawer contains all your installed apps, including hidden ones that aren‘t visible on your home screen.
Keep swiping up to expand it fully:
Step 3: Locate the Hidden Space Folder
Look carefully toward the bottom of your app drawer. You should see a folder called "Hidden Space" or something similar:
This folder contains shortcuts to all the hidden apps on your device.
Step 4: Enter Credentials to Unlock
Tap on the hidden apps folder. You‘ll likely be prompted to enter a password, PIN, pattern or fingerprint to gain access.
Enter the credentials, then voilà! You can now view and open all previously hidden apps.
Method 2: Uncover Hidden Apps Using the App Manager
If you couldn‘t locate the hidden app folder, don‘t worry! Your Android also has an App Manager that lets you view every single app installed on your device, including hidden ones.
Here are the steps to find it:
Step 1: Open Your Settings App
From your home screen, tap to open Settings – this is where all your device and account configurations are stored:
Step 2: Go to Apps & Notifications
In Settings, scroll down and select "Apps & notifications" – this is the control panel for all things related to the apps on your device:
Think of it as your master app manager.
Step 3: Select "See all apps"
Finally, select "See all apps". This literally shows you EVERY app on your device, even if it‘s been hidden from your home screen:
Scroll carefully and note any apps displayed here that you don‘t see icons for on your home screen – those have likely been concealed by another user!
Method 3: Spot Disguised App Icons
Savvy Android owners will sometimes go the extra mile to hide their private apps. The most creative method is disguising an embarrassing app icon as a more innocuous one.
For example, someone might change a dating app icon to look like a calendar icon instead. Very sneaky!
Here are some telltale signs that an inconspicuous icon on your home screen is actually a disguised hidden app:
- You don‘t recall downloading or using the app yourself
- The app requests fingerprints or a password when opened
- The icon name is vague (e.g. "Shortcuts")
Try tapping any suspicious icons. If prompted for a PIN or password, bingo! You likely stumbled on a concealed app the owner tried to bury with generic icon.
Input the credentials and the hidden app‘s true form is revealed. Pretty clever trick!
Summary: My Top Recommendation
Hopefully by now you have all the tools in your arsenal to uncover any and all hidden apps installed on your Android.
But if I had to choose one method to start with and recommend above the rest, it would be accessing the Hidden Apps menu located in your app drawer.
Over 90% of Android phones have this handy secret folder dedicated specifically to housing hidden apps. It takes seconds to locate for the experienced user!
Ready to Give These Methods a Try?
That wraps up my insider‘s guide to uncovering every last hidden app on your Android device!
I enjoy the detective work of investigating secretive apps almost as much as using my favorite apps every day. Give these methods a shot – you might be surprised what you unveil!
Were you able to find any sneaky hidden apps with these steps? Let me know in the comments below!
