On Android, apps don’t “disappear” for one reason: they disappear for five.
Sometimes you hid the app from the app drawer. Sometimes it’s inside Secure Folder. Sometimes it’s in Private Space. Sometimes it’s under a Work Profile. And sometimes it’s not hidden at all… it’s just not on your Home screen anymore.
Key takeaways
- If you’re on Samsung, the quickest win is checking the Hide apps on Home and Apps screens list (it shows what’s hidden).
- If your phone supports Private Space, apps inside it may be hidden when Private Space is locked, unlock it to access them.
- Even if an app is hidden from your launcher, you can often still find it in Google Play Store → Manage apps & device → Manage.
The 60-second checklist (do this first)
If you just want your app back ASAP, do these in order:
- Open All Apps / app drawer and use the search bar
- If you’re on Samsung: open Home screen settings → Hide apps and look for hidden apps
- Check Secure Folder (Samsung) or Private Space (Android 15+)
- Check for a Work tab (briefcase icon) in the app drawer
- Check Play Store → Manage apps & device → Manage to see what’s installed
Now let’s break it down properly.
1) Search your app drawer (All Apps)
A surprising number of “hidden” apps aren’t hidden — they’re just not sitting on your Home screen.
What to do
- Swipe up to open All Apps / the app drawer
- Use the search bar and type the app name
Samsung note: Samsung’s own support notes that even if an app is hidden, you may still be able to find and open it by typing its name into the Apps screen search bar.
2) Samsung: Check your “Hidden apps” list (One UI)
If you have a Samsung Galaxy, there’s a built-in setting that hides apps from both the Home screen and Apps screen.
How to find hidden apps on Samsung
- Go to your Home screen
- Touch and hold an empty spot
- Tap Settings (Home screen settings)
- Tap Hide apps on Home and Apps screens
- You’ll see which apps are hidden (and you can unhide them right there)
How to unhide (Samsung)
In that same menu:
- Tap the hidden app to remove it from the hidden list (Samsung describes using a red minus when changing your mind), then tap Done.
Why this works: If an app was hidden using One UI’s built-in setting, this is the “source of truth” list.
3) Samsung: Check Secure Folder (it may be hidden too)
If you (or someone else) used Secure Folder, the app won’t behave like a normal app anymore, it lives inside a locked container.
Quick ways to check Secure Folder
- Search your phone for Secure Folder (Settings search works even if the icon is hidden)
- If Secure Folder is “missing,” it may simply be hidden from view
Samsung Knox explains you can hide Secure Folder assets (including the icon/menus) by turning off Show Secure Folder from the quick panel.
Important: If you don’t have the lock method for Secure Folder, you won’t be able to open what’s inside (that’s the point of it).
4) Android 15+: Check Private Space (Pixel / supported Android)
Private Space is a separate space meant to hide and organize sensitive apps. It’s designed so that when it’s locked, apps are hidden from your main space.
Google’s Android Help spells this out clearly:
- “To hide apps from your main space, lock your private space.”
- When locked, Private Space collapses and apps are hidden in All Apps and various OS surfaces.
How to find apps inside Private Space
- Go to Settings
- Tap Security & privacy
- Tap Private space
- Unlock it to access the apps inside
Google also notes you can search for apps in Private Space using the search bar.
If you can’t find Private Space at all: your Android version or device may not support it yet.
5) Check if the app is in a Work Profile (briefcase icon)
Work profiles commonly “hide” apps in plain sight – they’re installed, but they live under a separate Work section.
Microsoft’s guidance notes that work apps can appear:
- alongside personal apps, or
- within a Work tab in your app drawer (depends on Android version/manufacturer).
Google’s Android Enterprise help also describes the Work tab workflow and a Work apps switch that can pause or turn on the work profile.
What to do
- Open your app drawer
- Look for a Work tab or briefcase icon apps
- If work apps are paused, turn them back on (Work switch in the Work tab / quick settings tile)
6) If you use a custom launcher, check its hidden-app settings
A lot of people hide apps using their launcher (especially if their phone doesn’t have a native hide option).
For example, Nova Launcher’s official FAQ confirms:
- Nova Settings → App drawer → Hide apps
- And it warns hiding is more about organization (apps may still appear in search/home screen).
What to do (generic)
- Open your launcher settings
- Look for: App drawer, Hidden apps, Hide apps, or an “eye” icon
- Toggle “show hidden apps” or unhide the app from the hidden list
7) Check Settings → Apps (the full list, including disabled apps)
Even if the icon is hidden from your launcher, the app often still shows up in the system app list.
What to do
- Settings → Apps → See all apps (wording varies)
- Search for the app name
- If you see Enable, the app was likely disabled and can be turned back on
Google Play Help includes “Install or Enable” steps inside Play Store management (useful when apps are turned off).
8) Use Google Play Store to see what’s installed (and what used to be installed)
This is one of the cleanest “truth checks” because it shows apps tied to your Google account and device.
Google Play Help provides the path:
- Open Google Play Store
- Tap your profile icon
- Tap Manage apps & device → Manage
- Use the device/filter options (ex: “This device” vs “Not installed”)
- Tap Install or Enable as needed
Why this matters: If you suspect something is installed but can’t see it in the drawer, Play Store helps confirm whether it’s actually installed on that device.
Related Articles:
How to Find, Hide, and Delete Apps on iPhone & Android?
How to Hide Apps on Android (No App Required)
How to See Which Apps Use the Most Data on iPhone & Android?
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FAQs
How can I find hidden apps on Samsung?
Samsung lets you hide apps from the Home and Apps screens. Open Home screen settings and check Hide apps on Home and Apps screens.
What’s Private Space on Android?
Private Space is a protected area where apps can be hidden from your main space when it’s locked. Android Help explains that locking Private Space can hide those apps from All Apps and other surfaces.
What are “Work” apps and why do they look different?
Work Profile apps are separated from personal apps and may appear in a Work tab and/or have a briefcase badge. They can also be paused.
If I hide an app, is it still installed?
Usually yes. For example, Samsung explicitly says hiding doesn’t remove the app — it removes the icon from view.
References
https://support.google.com/android/answer/9079646?hl=en
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10001912/
https://support.google.com/android/answer/15341885?hl=en
https://support.google.com/work/android/answer/7029561?hl=en
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/intune/intune-service/user-help/what-happens-when-you-create-a-work-profile-android
https://novalauncher.com/faq
https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113410?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en
