Where hidden apps actually are on your phone
A hidden app is still installed on your device — it just does not show up in your main app drawer or home screen. On Android, the most common place is inside a folder you created yourself, or disabled in your system settings so it stops appearing in lists. On iPhone, hidden apps live in the App Library but not on your home screen, or they are in a folder you made. Some phones also have a "Secure Folder" or "Private Space" feature that hides apps behind a separate password.
The app is not deleted and not invisible to your phone's operating system. It is just removed from the places you normally look. This matters because you can still find it, uninstall it, or move it back to your main screen in a few steps.
Key Takeaways
- On Android, check your app drawer settings first — many phones let you hide apps by toggling them off in the display list.
- On iPhone, swipe to the App Library (the last screen) and search by category or scroll through all apps to find ones not on your home screen.
- Both phones let you search by name using the built-in search tool, which finds hidden apps instantly if you remember what you are looking for.
- Some Android phones have a "Secure Folder" or "Private Space" that requires a separate unlock method to access hidden apps.
- If you cannot find an app you know is installed, check your phone's Settings under Apps or Application Manager to see the full list.
Finding hidden apps on Android
Open your app drawer — usually a grid icon at the bottom of your home screen. Look for a menu button (three dots or lines) at the top. Tap it and look for an option called "Show hidden apps," "Display options," or "App visibility." If apps are hidden there, toggle them back on to see them in your drawer.
If that does not work, go to Settings, then Apps or Application Manager. Scroll through the full list of installed apps. Any app you do not recognize or remember installing will show here, even if it is hidden from your home screen. Tap the app name to see when it was installed and what permissions it has.
Some Samsung phones have a "Secure Folder" accessible from Settings > Biometrics and Security > Secure Folder. Other Android phones may have a "Private Space" feature in Settings > Privacy. Both require a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint to open, and apps stored there will not show up anywhere else on your phone.
Finding hidden apps on iPhone
Swipe to the rightmost screen on your home screen — this is your App Library. It shows all installed apps organized by category (Social, Productivity, Games, and so on). Scroll through each category to find apps you do not see on your home screen. Any app here that is not on your home screen is hidden from your main view.
If you remember the app's name, use Spotlight Search instead. Swipe down from the top of your screen and type the app name. If the app is installed, it will appear in the results, even if it is hidden. Tap it to open it or see its options.
iPhone does not have a "Secure Folder" like Android, but you can use the built-in Notes app or Files app to store sensitive items. Some third-party apps also offer password-protected vaults, but these are separate apps you would need to find the same way.
Using your phone's built-in search to find any app
Both Android and iPhone have a system-wide search that finds every app on your device, hidden or not. On Android, swipe up from the bottom of your home screen or tap the search icon (usually a magnifying glass). Type the app name or what it does. The search will show the app even if it is hidden from your drawer.
On iPhone, swipe down from the top of your home screen to open Spotlight Search. Type the app name. If it is installed, it will show up with an option to open it. This is the fastest way to find an app if you remember its name at all.
Checking your phone's full app list in Settings
On Android, go to Settings > Apps (or Application Manager, depending on your phone brand). You will see every app installed on your device, including system apps you did not install yourself. Scroll through the list. If you see an app you do not recognize, tap it to see when it was installed, how much storage it uses, and what permissions it has requested.
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. This shows every app installed on your phone, sorted by size. Scroll through to find apps you do not remember. Tap any app to see when it was last used and how much space it takes up. This list includes every app on your phone, whether it is on your home screen or hidden in the App Library.
What to do once you find a hidden app
Once you locate an app, you have three options: open it, move it back to your home screen, or uninstall it. On Android, long-press the app name in your app drawer and select "Show" or "Unhide" to add it back to your drawer. On iPhone, long-press the app in the App Library and select "Add to Home Screen."
If you do not recognize the app or do not want it, uninstall it. On Android, long-press the app and select "Uninstall." On iPhone, long-press the app and select "Remove App," then confirm. If the app is a system app that came with your phone, you may only be able to disable it rather than fully remove it.
Why apps get hidden in the first place
Apps hide for a few reasons. You may have moved them to a folder or the App Library yourself and forgotten about them. Your phone's manufacturer may have hidden bloatware (apps that come pre-installed but you do not use) to clean up your home screen. Some apps hide themselves after you stop using them for a while. And some people intentionally hide apps they want to keep but do not want visible to others who pick up their phone.
If you find an app you did not install and do not recognize, check when it was installed. If it came with your phone, it is likely a system app. If it was installed recently and you did not do it, your phone may have been compromised, or someone else with access to your account installed it. In that case, change your passwords and consider running a security scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone hide an app on my phone without my permission?
On Android, yes — if someone has physical access to your phone and knows your PIN or pattern, they can hide apps in your app drawer settings or move them to a Secure Folder. On iPhone, it is harder because they would need to know your passcode to access Settings. Check your app list in Settings regularly if you share your phone or suspect unauthorized access.
What if I search for an app and it does not show up anywhere?
The app is not installed. It may have been uninstalled, or you may be misremembering the name. Check your phone's app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) to see your download history and reinstall it if you want it back. You can also ask someone who uses the app what it is called.
Is hiding apps the same as deleting them?
No. A hidden app is still installed and takes up storage space. It still runs in the background and uses battery and data if it is set to do so. Deleting an app removes it completely from your phone. If you want to free up space, delete the app rather than hide it.
Why would I want to hide an app?
Common reasons include keeping your home screen clean, hiding apps you use rarely, or keeping sensitive apps out of sight if you share your phone. Some people hide apps to reduce distractions. Hiding does not prevent the app from working — it just removes it from your main view.
Can I hide multiple apps at once?
On Android, some phones let you select multiple apps in your app drawer settings and toggle them all at once. On iPhone, you would need to move each app individually to a folder or leave it in the App Library. The fastest way on either phone is to create a folder and move apps into it one by one.