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If you’re a Samsung Galaxy user, you might be aware that hiding apps can be a useful feature for keeping certain applications out of sight, whether it’s to maintain privacy, reduce clutter, or simply to keep sensitive apps away from prying eyes. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to find and open hidden apps on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
Why Hide Apps on Samsung?
Before we dive into the methods, it’s important to understand why you might want to hide apps. Hiding apps can help you secure sensitive information, keep your home screen and app drawer organized, and prevent unauthorized access to certain applications. Samsung provides multiple ways to achieve this, each with its own set of benefits.
Method 1: Using Home Screen Settings
One of the most straightforward methods to hide apps on your Samsung Galaxy phone is through the home screen settings.
Steps to Hide Apps
- Step 1: Press and hold an empty area on the home screen.
- Step 2: Tap on the Settings option that appears at the bottom.
- Step 3: Select Hide apps from the menu.
- Step 4: Tap on the applications you want to hide. You can select multiple apps by ticking the boxes next to them.
- Step 5: Tap Done to apply the changes[1][3][5].
Steps to Unhide Apps
- Step 1: Follow the same steps to open the Hide apps menu.
- Step 2: Deselect the apps you want to unhide by unticking the boxes next to them.
- Step 3: Tap Done to apply the changes.
Method 2: Using the App Drawer
Another way to hide apps is through the app drawer.
Steps to Hide Apps
- Step 1: Open the app drawer by swiping up from the home screen.
- Step 2: Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner to open the settings menu.
- Step 3: Select Hide apps from the drop-down menu.
- Step 4: Choose the apps you want to hide and tap Done[1][3].
Steps to Unhide Apps
- Step 1: Follow the same steps to open the Hide apps menu.
- Step 2: Deselect the apps you want to unhide.
- Step 3: Tap Done to apply the changes.
Method 3: Using Samsung Secure Folder
For an added layer of security, you can use the Samsung Secure Folder.
Steps to Hide Apps in Secure Folder
- Step 1: Go to the Settings app on your Galaxy smartphone.
- Step 2: Tap on Security and privacy.
- Step 3: Click on Secure Folder.
- Step 4: Follow the prompts to set up the Secure Folder, including signing in with your Samsung account.
- Step 5: Transfer the apps you want to hide into the Secure Folder by selecting them and following the on-screen instructions[2][3].
Steps to Open Apps in Secure Folder
- Step 1: Open the Settings app.
- Step 2: Navigate to Security and privacy > Secure Folder.
- Step 3: Enter the lock method to unlock the Secure Folder.
- Step 4: Access the apps within the Secure Folder by tapping on them.
Using Bixby Assistant
If you prefer a more hands-free approach, you can use Bixby to open hidden apps.
Steps to Open Hidden Apps with Bixby
- Step 1: Press and hold the power button to wake up Bixby.
- Step 2: Ask Bixby to open the hidden app by name, e.g., “Open Instagram.”
- Bixby will launch the app if it is installed and hidden on your device[3].
Using Google Play Store
You can also use the Google Play Store to access hidden apps.
Steps to Open Hidden Apps via Google Play Store
- Step 1: Open the Google Play Store.
- Step 2: Search for the hidden app.
- Step 3: Tap on the app and click Open. This will launch the app directly from the Play Store[3].
Identifying and Removing Hidden Apps
If you’re concerned about hidden apps due to security reasons, here’s how you can identify and remove them.
Steps to Identify Hidden Apps
- Use the methods outlined above (Home Screen Settings, App Drawer, or Secure Folder) to see a list of all hidden apps.
Steps to Remove Hidden Apps
- If you suspect that an app might be hidden due to malicious activity, you can follow these steps:
- Step 1: Navigate to the Settings > Backup and Reset > Factory data reset.
- Step 2: Enter your PIN or password to confirm the action.
- Step 3: Choose whether you want to reset your phone from a backup or start from scratch[1].
By following these steps, you can effectively manage hidden apps on your Samsung Galaxy phone, ensuring both privacy and security.
FAQs
- Q: How do I find hidden apps on Samsung phones?
- You can find hidden apps via the home screen settings, the app drawer, or by accessing the Secure Folder.
- Q: How do I open hidden apps on Samsung phones?
- You can unhide apps from the home screen settings or app drawer, or open them directly from the Secure Folder or using Bixby and Google Play Store[3].
This guide should help you seamlessly hide and unhide apps on your Samsung Galaxy phone, enhancing your overall user experience and security.