Find Hidden Apps on Samsung Galaxy Phones

If you suspect an app has been hidden on your Samsung Galaxy phone—or you simply want to declutter your app drawer—this guide will show you every place Samsung can stash an app and how to bring it back. You’ll learn to check the standard hiding spots, use the search function, and adjust your home screen settings so nothing stays hidden.

What You’ll Need

• Your Samsung Galaxy phone (any model running One UI or Samsung Experience).
• Access to the home screen and app drawer.
• Optional: A USB cable and a computer if you need to use Smart Switch to restore hidden apps after a reset.

Step-by-Step

1. Check the App Drawer for a Hidden Apps Section
   Open the app drawer by swiping up on the home screen. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner, then select Settings. Look for Hide apps or Hidden apps—if it’s there, tap it. You’ll see a list of apps that are currently hidden. To unhide, tap the minus icon next to each app, then tap Done.
2. Search for the App
   Even if an app is hidden from the app drawer, it may still appear in search. Swipe down on the home screen to open the notification panel, then swipe down again to open the quick settings. Type the app’s name in the search bar at the top. If it appears in the results, tap it to open it. Once open, you can find its icon in the recents screen (by tapping the square button) and then long-press the icon to add it back to the home screen.
3. Check the Secure Folder
   Samsung’s Secure Folder is a separate, encrypted space that can hide apps entirely. Open the Secure Folder app (it’s usually in the app drawer or in the notification panel’s quick settings). If you don’t see it, go to Settings > Biometrics and security > Secure Folder. If you have it set up, open it and look for the hidden app. To move it out, long-press the app icon, tap Remove from Secure Folder, and confirm.
4. Look in the Galaxy Store or Google Play
   If you still can’t find the app, it might have been uninstalled or disabled. Open the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store, tap the menu (three lines), and go to My apps / Manage apps. Look for the app in the Installed or Library tab. If it’s disabled, tap Enable. If it’s not installed, you can reinstall it from your library.
5. Reset Home Screen Settings
   Go to Settings > Home screen. Tap Reset home screen layout (or Reset app drawer settings on some models). This will restore the default layout and unhide any apps that were hidden via the app drawer settings. Note: This will also rearrange your home screen icons, so you may need to reorganize them afterward.
6. Use Smart Switch (as a last resort)
   If the app is still missing, it may have been removed during a backup or restore. Connect your phone to a computer and use Smart Switch to restore from a previous backup. This should bring back any apps that were present at the time of the backup.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting the Secure Folder: Many users hide apps in Secure Folder and then forget they did. Always check there first if the app is sensitive or private.
• Confusing “Disable” with “Hide”: Disabling an app removes it from the app drawer and makes it appear as if it’s hidden. Check the app’s status in Settings > Apps to see if it’s disabled.
• Not Checking the Edge Panel: Some users accidentally place apps in the Edge panel. Swipe from the edge of the screen to open the Edge panel and check the Apps tab.
• Assuming a Factory Reset Clears Everything: A factory reset will clear hidden apps, but if you restore from a backup, the hidden status may come back. Always check the hide settings after a restore.

Tips

• Use the search function first: It’s the fastest way to find an app that’s hidden from the app drawer.
• Create a folder for rarely used apps: Instead of hiding, put them in a folder to keep your drawer tidy without losing them.
• Check for app updates: Sometimes an app update can change its icon or placement. If you can’t find it, check if it’s still installed in the Play Store.
• Take note of the app’s name: If you can’t remember the exact name, try searching for a partial name or a keyword related to the app.

Troubleshooting

• If you can’t find the “Hide apps” option: On some One UI versions, the option is under Settings > Home screen > Hide apps. If you don’t see it, your phone may not have that feature, or you’re looking in the wrong menu.
• If the app still doesn’t appear after unhiding: Go to Settings > Apps and find the app. If it’s disabled, tap Enable. If it’s not there, it may have been uninstalled—reinstall it from the Play Store.
• If the Secure Folder is locked and you forgot the PIN: You’ll need to reset the Secure Folder, but this will erase the data inside. Go to Settings > Biometrics and security > Secure Folder and tap the three-dot menu to reset it. This will delete all contents, so only do this if you’re okay with losing that data.
• If the app is visible in the app drawer but not on the home screen: Simply long-press the app icon in the drawer and drag it to the home screen.
• If you’ve tried everything and still can’t find it: The app may have been removed by a system update or a security policy. Check the Galaxy Store for the app and reinstall it if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide apps on a Samsung Galaxy without using a third-party app?

Yes, Samsung’s One UI has a built-in feature to hide apps from the app drawer. Go to the app drawer, tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Hide apps.

Will hidden apps still appear in search results?

Yes, hidden apps typically still appear in the phone’s search function. This is a good way to find them if you’ve forgotten where they are.

How do I unhide an app from the Secure Folder?

Open the Secure Folder, long-press the app icon, and select Remove from Secure Folder. The app will be moved back to the regular app drawer.

What happens to hidden apps when I factory reset my phone?

A factory reset will erase all data, including hidden apps. After the reset, you’ll need to reinstall any apps you want back. If you restore from a backup, the hidden status may be restored as well.

Can I hide apps from the app drawer but still get notifications?

Yes, hiding an app only removes its icon from the app drawer. Notifications will still appear unless you disable them in the app’s settings.

Why can’t I find the “Hide apps” option on my Samsung phone?

Some older Samsung models or devices with the Samsung Experience UI may not have this feature. In that case, you can use a third-party launcher or the Secure Folder to hide apps.

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