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Hide apps on the smartphone - this is how it works

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Hide apps on Android using in-house means
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
Hide apps on Android with an alternative launcher
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
5th step:
6th step:
7th step:
8th step:
Hide apps on iPhone
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:

If you want to protect your apps from prying eyes, there are a few options. Read here how to do it on Android and iOS..

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There are always situations in which your smartphone falls into the wrong hands. Be it when you show pictures to friends or when someone you know needs your cell phone for a call. If you don't want the other person to see that you are using dating apps, for example, you can hide them. You can find out how to do this in our tips + tricks.

Hide apps on Android using in-house means

Unfortunately, the native Android does not have the ability to hide apps with on-board tools. However, if you own a Samsung or LG smartphone, the customized Android offers an option to hide apps. How exactly this works can be read in the following using the example of the operating system of a Samsung Galaxy S9:

1st step:

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Open the app drawer by swiping up on the home screen. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right.

2nd step:

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Select " Home Settings ".

3rd step:

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Scroll down to the " Hide apps " entry and tap on it.

4th step:

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In the overview, find and select the app that you want to hide. Confirm the process with " Apply ". The app has now disappeared from the app drawer and can only be found using the search function.

Hide apps on Android with an alternative launcher

Launcher is a dime a dozen on Android. A free launcher that also offers the option of hiding apps is the Apex Launcher, which is why we have chosen this for this guide. Alternatively, you can use Nova Launcher Prime, which only provides the desired function in the paid version. How to successfully hide apps with Apex Launcher, read our step-by-step guide:

1st step:

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Search for " Apex Launcher " in the Google Play Store and tap " Install ".

2nd step:

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As soon as the launcher is installed, tap the home button of the Android smartphone or activate the corresponding gesture for it. You will now be asked which start app should be used. Select " Apex Launcher " and tap either "This Time Only " or " Always ".

3rd step:

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Now tap your way through the initial setup of Apex Launcher. When you are at the step with the subscription model , it is important that you tap " Skip " in the upper right corner .

4th step:

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Select " Skip " again so that you do not end up in a paid subscription model.

5th step:

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Your start screen has now changed and is controlled via the Apex Launcher. To hide apps, first tap the Apex Settings app on the home screen.

6th step:

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Here select " Hidden Apps ".

7th step:

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Then tap on " Add hidden apps ".

8th step:

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Now select apps that you want to protect from unwanted glances and then tap on " Hide 1 app ". The app has now disappeared from your app drawer. Of course, don't forget that you also have to remove the app from the home screen. To discover the app again, you again go through the previous steps, but this time select the " Hidden Apps " option " Reveal ".

Hide apps on iPhone

Apps can also be hidden on iOS devices using in-house means. Unfortunately, only certain apps can be hidden. You can read how it all works in the following:

1st step:

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Open the iPhone settings . Tap Screen Time . If you have not already done so, set a four-digit restriction code now. Tip : If you've forgotten your restriction code, find out how to read it out here.

2nd step:

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Now select " Restrictions ".

3rd step:

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Activate the slider next to " Restrictions " and then tap on " Allowed apps ".

4th step:

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Here you can now deactivate the controls for selected apps so that they no longer appear on the home screen. For example, we choose the "Wallet" app.

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