What You Need Before You Start
Hiding apps on a Samsung Galaxy S26 is a straightforward process that requires only a few minutes. The methods described below rely on features built into Samsung’s One UI, which is the software layer that runs on the Galaxy S26. Before you begin, make sure your device is updated to the latest available software version. While the exact menu names may vary slightly depending on the One UI version installed on your phone, the core steps remain consistent across recent releases.
No additional apps or accounts are required to hide apps using the built‑in tools. If you later decide to use third‑party launchers or Samsung’s Good Lock module, those options are covered separately.
How to Hide Apps Using the Home Screen Settings
The most direct method involves the Home screen settings. This feature hides apps from the Apps drawer (the screen where all installed apps are listed) without removing them from the device.
- Open the Home screen settings. Touch and hold an empty area on your Home screen until the menu appears. Tap “Settings” (the gear icon).
- Locate the “Hide apps on Home and Apps screens” option. In the Home screen settings menu, look for a setting called “Hide apps on Home and Apps screens” or simply “Hide apps.” The exact label depends on your One UI version.
- Select the apps you want to hide. Tap the option, and a list of all installed apps appears. Tap the checkboxes next to the apps you wish to hide. A confirmation message may appear explaining that hidden apps will not appear in the Apps drawer.
- Apply the changes. Tap “Done” or “Apply.” The selected apps vanish from the Apps drawer immediately. They remain installed and functional; you can still launch them from the Settings app, recent apps list, or by searching.
To unhide an app, repeat the same steps and uncheck the app. It will reappear in the Apps drawer.
How to Hide Apps Using the App Drawer’s Menu
Some versions of One UI offer a shortcut directly from the Apps drawer.
- Open the Apps drawer. Swipe up on the Home screen or tap the Apps icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the three‑dot menu. In the upper‑right corner of the Apps drawer, tap the three vertical dots.
- Select “Sort” or “Settings.” Depending on your One UI version, you may see “Sort” or “Settings.” Tap it.
- Find the “Hide apps” option. In the menu that appears, look for “Hide apps.” Tap it.
- Choose the apps to hide. Check the apps you want to hide, then tap “Apply” or “Done.”
This method achieves the same result as the Home screen settings approach. Choose whichever feels more convenient.
How to Hide Apps Using Secure Folder
Secure Folder is a Samsung‑built feature that creates a separate, encrypted space on your device. Apps moved into Secure Folder are hidden from the main Apps drawer and require a PIN, pattern, password, or biometric authentication to access. This method is ideal for apps containing sensitive information.
- Open Secure Folder. Swipe down to open the notification panel, then tap the Secure Folder icon (a lock with a folder). If you don’t see it, go to Settings > Security and privacy > Secure Folder and enable it.
- Set up a lock method. The first time you open Secure Folder, you will be prompted to choose a PIN, pattern, password, or biometric lock. Follow the on‑screen instructions.
- Add apps to Secure Folder. Inside Secure Folder, tap the “+” icon or “Add apps.” Select the apps you want to move. You can also copy an app from the main Apps drawer by tapping “Add from apps” and selecting the app.
- Hide the Secure Folder icon (optional). If you want to make the Secure Folder itself invisible, open Secure Folder, tap the three‑dot menu, and go to “Settings.” Toggle “Hide Secure Folder” on. The Secure Folder icon will disappear from the Home screen and Apps drawer. To access it later, you must open the Settings app, go to Security and privacy, and tap “Secure Folder” again.
Apps inside Secure Folder run independently. They can have their own accounts, data, and notifications. Uninstalling an app from the main device does not remove it from Secure Folder unless you delete it from within Secure Folder.
Alternative Methods for Hiding Apps
Using Good Lock
Samsung’s Good Lock app (available in the Galaxy Store) offers a module called “Home Up” that provides additional customization for the Home screen and Apps drawer. One of its features allows you to hide apps from the Apps drawer without using the built‑in hide option. If you already use Good Lock, this can be a convenient alternative.
- Install Good Lock from the Galaxy Store.
- Open Good Lock and install the “Home Up” module.
- In Home Up, enable the “Hide apps” feature and select the apps you want to hide.
Using a Third‑Party Launcher
If you prefer a completely different Home screen experience, third‑party launchers like Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher allow you to hide apps from the app drawer and even from search results. To use this method:
- Install a third‑party launcher from the Google Play Store.
- Set it as your default Home screen app.
- Open the launcher’s settings (usually by long‑pressing the Home screen or tapping the launcher’s settings icon).
- Look for an option named “Hide apps,” “App drawer customization,” or similar.
- Select the apps you want to hide.
Keep in mind that third‑party launchers may not work perfectly with all Samsung gestures or One UI features. Test the launcher for a few days before committing.
Common Problems
Hidden apps still appear in search results
Built‑in hiding methods on Samsung devices hide apps from the Apps drawer but may still let them appear in the device’s global search (accessed by swiping down on the Home screen and typing). To prevent this, you can disable the app’s search indexing in the app’s settings or use Secure Folder, which isolates the app completely.
Hidden apps still show in recent apps
Hiding an app does not remove it from the recent apps list. If you have recently used the app, it will appear when you open the recent apps screen. To clear it, swipe the app away from the recent apps list. For a more thorough solution, use Secure Folder, which keeps the app separate from the main system.
If the hiding option is missing or does not work, ensure that your device is running a recent version of One UI. Some older versions had a different menu structure. Also, check if you are using a third‑party launcher, which may override the default hiding behavior. If you are using the default launcher, try restarting the phone after applying the hiding settings.
Hidden apps reappear after a software update
Occasionally, a system update may reset certain settings. If your hidden apps become visible again, simply repeat the hiding steps. This is rare but can happen.
Conclusion
Hiding apps on a Samsung Galaxy S26 is a simple task that can be done using the built‑in Home screen settings, the Apps drawer menu, or Secure Folder. For most users, the default hiding method is sufficient to keep apps out of sight without uninstalling them. If you need stronger privacy, Secure Folder provides an encrypted environment that also hides the apps from the main system. Third‑party launchers and Good Lock offer additional flexibility for those who want deeper customization. Before using any method, make sure you understand how to unhide the apps later so you don’t lose access to them.
