In today’s digital age, maintaining privacy is more crucial than ever. Whether you’re looking to keep sensitive information secure or just want to declutter your app drawer, knowing how to hide apps on your Samsung S8 is a valuable skill. This article will guide you through the various methods to effectively hide apps on your device, ensuring that your private information stays out of view from prying eyes.
Why Hide Apps on Your Samsung S8?
Before diving into the methods, it’s essential to understand the reasons why you might want to hide apps on your Samsung Galaxy S8:
- Enhanced Privacy: Keeping personal or sensitive applications, like banking apps, hidden protects your information from casual snoopers.
- Decluttered Interface: If you have numerous apps, hiding less-used or irrelevant applications can streamline your experience.
Now that you know the benefits, let’s explore how you can achieve app invisibility on your device.
Methods to Hide Apps on Samsung S8
There are multiple methods to hide apps on the Samsung S8. Here are the primary strategies, each with its own steps and considerations.
Method 1: Using the Launcher Settings
One of the simplest ways to hide apps on your Samsung S8 is through the built-in Launcher Settings. This method is straightforward and does not require additional software.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open the App Drawer: Swipe up on your home screen to access the app drawer.
- Access Settings: Tap on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner.
- Select ‘Home Screen Settings’: From the dropdown menu, choose the option for Home Screen Settings.
- Choose ‘Hide Apps’: Scroll down and tap on ‘Hide Apps’.
- Select Apps to Hide: A list of installed apps will appear. Tap on the apps you would like to hide.
- Apply Changes: Once selected, tap on ‘Done’ or ‘Apply’ to save your changes.
Your chosen apps will no longer appear in the app drawer, creating a cleaner and more private interface.
Method 2: Using Secure Folder
Samsung offers a feature known as Secure Folder, which is ideal for keeping sensitive apps hidden and secure.
Setting Up Secure Folder
- Find Secure Folder: Swipe down from the top of your screen and tap on the gear icon to access Settings.
- Access Biometrics and Security: Scroll down to find ‘Biometrics and security’.
- Open Secure Folder: Tap on ‘Secure Folder’ and sign in with your Samsung account. If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one.
- Customize Lock Settings: You can choose your preferred lock method (PIN, password, or biometrics).
- Add Apps to Secure Folder:
- Go to the Secure Folder.
- Tap on ‘Add Apps’.
- Select the apps you want to move and press ‘Add’.
Benefits of Using Secure Folder
The Secure Folder not only hides apps but also allows you to store files securely. This means your apps and important documents are better protected against unauthorized access.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Launchers
If you want even more customization, consider using a third-party launcher. Launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher offer advanced options for app management, including hiding apps.
How to Use Nova Launcher to Hide Apps
- Download Nova Launcher: Visit the Google Play Store and install Nova Launcher.
- Set as Default Launcher: Open Nova Launcher and set it as your default home screen.
- Access App Drawer Settings: Open the app drawer, tap on the three dots, and navigate to Settings.
- Select ‘Hide Apps’: Choose the option for hiding apps and select those you want to conceal.
- Apply Changes: Confirm the changes, and the apps will be hidden from view.
Method 4: Creating a Guest Account
By creating a guest account on your Samsung S8, you can temporarily hide apps that you frequently use. This method is excellent for sharing the phone without exposing your personal apps.
Steps to Set Up a Guest Account
- Go to Settings: Open your device’s settings.
- Select Users: Navigate to the ‘Users & accounts’ menu.
- Add Guest Account: Tap on ‘Add user or profile’ and choose ‘Guest’.
- Switch to Guest Account: This can be done by swiping down the notification menu and tapping on the user icon.
Once in the guest mode, you can access only the apps available to the guest account, thereby hiding your personal apps.
Best Practices for Hiding Apps
As you learn how to hide apps on your Samsung S8, consider these best practices to enhance your privacy even further:
- Regularly Review Hidden Apps: Ensure that the apps you hide still remain necessary and secure.
- Use Strong Passwords: For features like Secure Folder, always opt for strong passwords to increase security.
Managing Hidden Apps
Once you have hidden your apps, it is essential to manage them effectively. Here are some tips to consider:
Revealing Your Hidden Apps
When you need to access a hidden app, you can follow the steps for the respective method used to hide it. For instance, if you hid it via the launcher settings, revisit the ‘Hide Apps’ option to unhide it.
Reverting to Default Settings
If you decide that you no longer want to hide any apps, it’s relatively easy to revert to the default settings by following the same steps used for hiding them.
Conclusion
Knowing how to hide apps on your Samsung S8 provides not only a pathway to privacy but also a way to keep your digital life organized. Whether using the built-in settings, utilizing Secure Folder, exploring third-party launchers, or employing guest accounts, there are numerous ways to ensure your apps remain discreet.
By implementing best practices for managing your hidden apps, you can maintain a secure and efficient smartphone experience. Whether you want to declutter your app drawer or protect sensitive information, the methods outlined above will help you accomplish your goals with ease.
Now that you are equipped with the knowledge to hide and manage apps on your Samsung S8, take the time to customize your device according to your privacy preferences. With these techniques, you can rest easy knowing your personal digital space is well-protected.
How can I hide apps on my Samsung S8?
To hide apps on your Samsung S8, start by opening the app drawer, which you can access by swiping up from the home screen. Once you’re in the app drawer, look for the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the screen. Tapping on these dots will reveal a dropdown menu where you can select “Home screen settings.” Within this menu, you will find an option called “Hide apps.”
After you click on “Hide apps,” a list of your installed applications will appear. You can now select the apps you wish to hide by tapping on them; a checkmark will appear next to each selected app. Once you’ve made your selections, hit the “Apply” button to finalize the changes, and those apps will no longer be visible in your app drawer.
Will hiding apps delete them from my device?
No, hiding apps on your Samsung S8 will not delete them from your device; it only removes them from the app drawer view. This means that the apps will still be installed on your device and fully functional, but they will not be visible in the app list, providing an extra layer of privacy. You can access these apps at any time through various means, such as searching for them in the app store or using widgets.
If you ever decide that you want to unhide the apps, you can follow the same process again and select the hidden apps to make them visible once more. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining privacy or simply decluttering your app drawer.
Is there a way to password-protect hidden apps on the Samsung S8?
While the Samsung S8 does not have a built-in feature specifically for password-protecting individual apps, you can take advantage of the secure folder option. The Secure Folder allows you to store apps and files securely behind a password, PIN, or biometric authentication. To set this up, go to “Settings,” then “Biometrics and security,” and select “Secure Folder.”
After you set up the Secure Folder, you can easily move apps into it. To do this, open the Secure Folder, tap “Add apps,” and choose the apps you wish to protect. Once moved, these apps will only be accessible when you unlock the Secure Folder, making them much more secure compared to simply hiding them from the app drawer.
Can third-party apps help in hiding apps on my Samsung S8?
Yes, there are numerous third-party applications available on the Google Play Store that can assist you in hiding apps on your Samsung S8. These apps often come with additional features, such as the ability to lock apps with passwords or even disguise the app’s icon. Popular options include App Hider, Nova Launcher, or Apex Launcher, among others.
When using third-party apps, be cautious about the permissions you grant them, especially if they require access to personal information. Always read user reviews and research the app’s credibility to ensure it is a safe choice for enhancing your privacy.
What happens to app notifications for hidden apps?
When you hide apps on your Samsung S8, notifications for those apps will still be active, but you won’t see them displayed in the app drawer. If you want to completely manage notifications, you can go into the app settings for the hidden apps and disable notifications individually. This way, you can keep your app’s activities private even from the notification shade.
To disable notifications, go to “Settings,” select “Apps,” and find the hidden app. Tap on the app and then select “Notifications.” From here, you can choose to turn off notifications entirely or customize the settings according to your preferences, ensuring that any alerts remain discreet.
Can I hide system apps on my Samsung S8?
Yes, you can hide some system apps on your Samsung S8, although this is somewhat limited depending on the app in question. To hide a system app, follow the same process you would for hiding regular apps: access the app drawer, click the three dots, and select “Hide apps.” While some predefined system apps might be protected and cannot be hidden, many Samsung pre-installed apps allow for this function.
However, remember that hiding system apps may affect some features of the device, as these apps often play a vital role in the overall functionality of the phone. If you’re unsure about a particular app, it’s best to leave it visible.
Can I access hidden apps after restarting my Samsung S8?
Yes, you can still access hidden apps after restarting your Samsung S8. When you hide apps, it doesn’t remove them from the device; it simply prevents them from displaying in the app drawer. Restarting your phone will not unhide them, as the hidden status remains active until you decide to make them visible again.
If you need to access any hidden app after a restart, you can either use the method you set up for hiding apps or use the Secure Folder if the app was moved there. Always ensure you remember how to locate these apps so that any time you need them, they’re easily accessible.
Is there a risk to my privacy when using third-party apps to hide other apps?
Using third-party apps does come with inherent risks to your privacy and security. Many of these applications request various permissions that may give them access to sensitive information on your device. It’s vital to read the privacy policy and user reviews before downloading any third-party app intended for hiding other apps.
To mitigate risks, stick with well-known and highly rated applications, and consider the necessity of the permissions required. If an app demands too many permissions that seem unrelated to its functionality, it might be wise to avoid it for the sake of your privacy.