If you have ever hidden an app on your phone and don’t know how to get it back, don’t worry.
Here are some simple steps to find hidden apps and make sure you know what’s on your Android phone or tablet.
Show hidden apps via Android settings
Many versions of Android offer ways to discover hidden apps through their settings, although the methodology may vary with newer Android updates and manufacturer-specific interfaces.
Here’s how to find hidden apps on some of the most popular Android phone brands, keeping in mind that the steps may change over time.
How to Show Hidden Apps on a Samsung Phone
Open the app drawer (the page that shows all your apps) by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, tap the three dots in the top right corner, then select “Settings” > “Hide apps” from the menu that appears.
You will see a list of all your apps, including hidden ones. All checked apps are hidden.
To open these hidden apps, use the Google Search widget or open the Google app and type the app name. You’ll find the app listed in the “From your apps” section of the search results. Tap it to open it as usual.
How to Show Hidden Apps on OnePlus Phones
Open the app drawer, then swipe right. You will then see a page called “Hidden Space.” If there are any hidden apps, they will be listed here.
To reveal hidden apps, go back to the Hidden Space page and long-press the app you want to restore.
How to Show Hidden Apps on Xiaomi Phone
With MIUI 13, Xiaomi seems to have removed the “Hidden Apps” feature, but you can still manage protected apps using “App Lock”.
To do this, open “Settings” and tap “Apps”, then select “App Lock” and tap the “Enable” button. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to create a Mi (Xiaomi) account, as this feature requires one to work properly.
Once setup is complete, you’ll be taken to the App Lock page, where you’ll find suggestions for apps you might want to secure. Locked apps will d isplay a login screen to access them.
To unlock apps, return to the “App Lock” page and deselect them if necessary.
How to Show Hidden Apps on Android with New Launcher
If you suspect that there are hidden apps on your device but you are unable to find them through your device’s settings, another option is to use another launcher, such as Nova Launcher. You can download Nova Launcher (or any other similar launcher) from the Google Play Store.
After downloading and installing it, launch Nova Launcher and tap on the “Nova Settings” icon. Then tap on the “App Drawer” option, scroll down until you find the “Apps” section and select “Hide Apps”.
Here you can see which apps are currently hidden. Checked apps are hidden. To restore them, simply follow the same steps, but this time uncheck the app.
How to activate apps on Android
If you think an app is hidden, you can also re-enable it. This solution may not apply to all apps or Android interface versions, but it’s worth a try.
Simply open “Settings” and tap “Apps & notifications”. Then select the app you want to enable. If it’s available, select “Enable”. The app should now appear in your app drawer or at least be available to run.
If you want to do the opposite and learn how to hide apps on Android, check out our dedicated guide.
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