In the realm of smartphones, privacy is a growing concern. Whether it’s personal banking, social media, or anything in between, we often have apps that we prefer to keep hidden from curious eyes. If you own a Samsung S8 and are looking for ways to maintain your privacy, you’re in luck! This article will guide you through the various methods to hide apps on Samsung S8, ensuring that your personal information remains secure.
Why Hide Apps on Your Samsung S8?
Before diving into the how-tos, let’s explore the reasons behind wanting to hide apps:
- Privacy Protection: Keeping certain applications out of sight can protect sensitive information, preventing unauthorized access.
- Clutter-Free Interface: Hiding apps you rarely use can help streamline your home screen and app drawer for a clean, organized look.
Now that we understand the motivations behind hiding apps, let’s look at the methods you can use to achieve that on your Samsung S8.
Method 1: Using Built-in Features to Hide Apps
Samsung devices come with robust features enabling users to customize their device settings. Here’s how you can use built-in features to hide apps on your Samsung S8.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hide Apps
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Access the App Drawer: Swipe up from the bottom of the home screen to access the app drawer.
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Open the App Drawer Menu: Tap on the three vertical dots located in the top right corner of the app drawer.
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Select ‘Home Screen Settings’: From the dropdown menu, select ‘Home screen settings’.
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Choose ‘Hide apps’: In the Home screen settings, look for the option titled ‘Hide apps’.
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Select Apps to Hide: A list of all installed applications will appear. Tap on the apps you wish to hide; a checkmark will indicate they’ve been selected.
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Confirm Your Selection: Once you’ve chosen the apps you want hidden, press ‘Done’ or ‘Apply’ to save your preferences.
Accessing Hidden Apps
To access the hidden apps at a later time, follow these steps:
- Go back to the app drawer menu (three vertical dots in the top right corner).
- Select ‘Home screen settings’.
- Click on ‘Hide apps’ again to view the list of apps you have hidden.
Method 2: Utilizing Third-Party Launchers
If you’re looking for more customization options, third-party launchers might be the perfect solution. Many launchers offer extensive features, including the option to hide apps.
Popular Third-Party Launchers
Some popular launchers that allow app hiding functionalities include:
- **Nova Launcher**
- **Apex Launcher**
Here’s a brief overview of how to hide apps using a launcher like Nova Launcher:
Steps to Hide Apps with Nova Launcher
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Install Nova Launcher: Go to the Google Play Store, search for Nova Launcher, and install it.
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Set Nova as Default: Once installed, set Nova Launcher as your default home screen by following the on-screen instructions.
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Long Press on the Home Screen: Once you are on Nova, long press on an empty space on your home screen.
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Go to Settings: Tap the ‘Settings’ icon that appears on the screen.
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Select ‘App & Widget Drawers’: Scroll down and find ‘App and widget drawers’.
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Choose ‘Hide Apps’: Select ‘Hide Apps’, then choose the apps you wish to hide from your app drawer.
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Confirm Changes: After choosing your apps, go back to your home screen to see your changes in effect.
Method 3: Using Samsung Secure Folder
If you’re looking for an advanced solution that not only hides apps but also secures them, the Samsung Secure Folder is the way to go. This feature allows you to set up a personal space to store apps securely.
Setting Up Samsung Secure Folder
Here is how you can set up and use the Secure Folder to hide your apps:
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Access Settings: Open your device’s ‘Settings’.
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Find Biometrics & Security: Scroll down and select ‘Biometrics and security’.
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Select Secure Folder: Tap on ‘Secure Folder’.
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Sign In with Your Samsung Account: If prompted, log in with your Samsung account.
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Set Up Your Secure Folder: Follow the instructions to set up your Secure Folder. You can choose to use a PIN, password, or biometric lock for added security.
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Add Apps to Secure Folder: Once your Secure Folder is set up, you can add apps by tapping ‘Add apps’. Choose the apps you want to keep secure and select ‘Add’.
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Accessing Your Secure Folder: To access hidden apps, simply open your Secure Folder using the method you set up during the configuration phase.
Benefits of Using Secure Folder
- Enhanced Security: Using a password, PIN, or biometrics adds an additional layer of security.
- Complete Control: You can manage which apps you store in the Secure Folder, ensuring that only essential ones are hidden from prying eyes.
- Separation of Data: This feature allows you to keep work applications separate from your personal apps, enhancing organization.
Method 4: Disabling Apps
Another method to deal with unnecessary pre-installed apps (bloatware) is to disable them. This doesn’t exactly hide the apps but prevents them from showing up in your app drawer.
How to Disable Apps
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Open Settings: Go to your phone’s ‘Settings’.
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Select Apps: Scroll down and select ‘Apps’.
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Choose the App to Disable: Browse through the list of installed apps and select the one you want to disable.
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Tap on Disable: Click the ‘Disable’ button. This action will remove the app from your app drawer and prevent it from running.
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Confirm Your Choice: A warning message may appear indicating that disabling vital apps could cause system issues. If you’re sure, confirm your decision.
Final Thoughts
In an age where digital privacy is at the forefront of smartphone usage, knowing how to hide apps on your Samsung S8 can be incredibly helpful. Whether you prefer the built-in features, third-party launchers, the Secure Folder for enhanced security, or disabling apps, you have various options to protect your privacy.
Remember, while hiding apps can keep them out of immediate sight, it’s equally important to be aware of your overall digital security practices. Always use strong passwords, be cautious about permissions, and regularly update your device for the best security.
Now that you are armed with this knowledge, go ahead and customize your Samsung S8 to suit your privacy needs!
What are some methods to hide apps on Samsung S8?
To hide apps on the Samsung S8, you can utilize the built-in feature of the Galaxy Launcher. To do this, go to the home screen, tap and hold on an empty space, and select “Home screen settings.” From there, look for the “Hide apps” option. This allows you to select the apps you want to hide, making them invisible from the app drawer.
Another method is to use a third-party app launcher. Apps like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher offer options to hide apps and add additional customization features. After downloading one of these launchers, you’ll need to set it as your default launcher and navigate through its settings to find the option to conceal specific apps.
Can I password-protect hidden apps on Samsung S8?
Yes, while the default method of hiding apps does not include password protection, you can achieve this by using third-party applications such as AppLock. These apps provide added security features that allow you to lock individual apps with a password, fingerprint, or other biometric measures.
To use AppLock, simply download the app from the Google Play Store and follow its setup instructions. Once configured, you can select which apps to secure. This way, even if someone discovers the hidden apps, they will not be able to access them without the correct password or method of authentication.
Will hiding apps delete them from my Samsung S8?
No, hiding apps on your Samsung S8 does not delete them. The apps remain installed on your device and can be accessed through the settings or by un-hiding them. Hiding is simply a feature designed to keep your app drawer tidy and your personal apps more private.
If you need to use a hidden app again, you can easily reverse the hiding process by going back to the “Home screen settings” or the third-party launcher settings and removing it from the list of hidden apps. This flexibility ensures that your apps are easily manageable without fear of deletion.
Will hidden apps still send notifications on Samsung S8?
Yes, hidden apps will still operate normally and send notifications even if they are not visible in your app drawer. Hiding an app only affects its visibility on the home screen and app drawer; all functionality remains intact. You will continue to receive alerts and notifications as per the app’s settings.
If you want to manage notifications for hidden apps, you can adjust their notification settings through your device’s settings menu. This allows you to customize how and when you receive alerts, ensuring you maintain control over your notifications without compromising on privacy.
Can I still update hidden apps on my Samsung S8?
Absolutely. Hiding an app does not interfere with its ability to receive updates. The app will continue to function in the background, and updates will be downloaded automatically if your settings permit. This ensures that your hidden apps remain current and secure without any additional effort from you.
To manage updates, you can check your Google Play Store settings to ensure that automatic updates are enabled for all apps, including those you’ve hidden. This way, hidden apps will always be up to date, providing the latest features and security improvements.
Are hidden apps still visible to other users on Samsung S8?
When you hide apps on your Samsung S8, they are invisible to anyone using the device unless they know how to access the settings to unhide them. This is particularly useful for maintaining privacy if you share your device with others. However, if the other user understands how to navigate the home screen settings or third-party launchers, they may still be able to find the hidden apps.
If you need a higher level of privacy, consider using additional security measures such as app locking. This way, even if a person finds a way to see the hidden apps, they won’t be able to access them without the proper security credentials.
Can I revert hidden apps back to visible easily?
Yes, un-hiding apps on your Samsung S8 is a straightforward process. Simply go back to the “Home screen settings,” scroll to the “Hide apps” option, and select it. From there, you can choose to remove apps from the hidden list, which will restore their visibility in your app drawer.
If you are using a third-party launcher, the un-hiding process will vary slightly depending on the launcher’s features. Navigate to the settings in the launcher, find the app hiding functionality, and unselect the apps you wish to make visible again. The restored apps will be immediately accessible once the process is complete.