Master Privacy: How to Hide Apps in Samsung Like a Pro [2025 Guide]

Looking for a clean home screen or more digital privacy on your Samsung phone? Whether you’re trying to declutter your interface or keep certain apps away from prying eyes, Samsung’s One UI has you covered — no third-party apps needed!

In this easy guide, we’ll walk you through how to hide apps in Samsung and how to lock apps in Samsung using built-in features. Plus, we’ll share pro-level privacy tips that most blogs overlook. It’s time to turn your Galaxy into a true privacy fortress.

📱 How to Hide Apps in Samsung (2025 – One UI 6/7)

Master Privacy: How to Hide Apps in Samsung Like a Pro [2025 Guide]

Hiding apps can declutter your interface or keep certain apps away from others who use your phone. Here’s how to do it the native way:

🔧 Step by Step Guide to Hide Apps on Samsung

Go to your Home Screen and pinch two fingers together (or long-press on an empty area).
Tap on “Settings” (gear icon) in the bottom right.
Tap “Hide apps on Home and Apps screens.”
Browse and select the apps you want to hide.
Tap “Done.”

That’s it! These apps will now disappear from your app drawer and home screen.

🧠 Pro Tips Most People Miss:

🕵️ Still Accessible via Search: Hidden apps can still appear if you search them in the Finder. To avoid this:
- Go to Settings > Home Screen > Finder Settings and disable app suggestions.
🔕 They Still Send Notifications: Hiding apps does NOT stop notifications. You’ll need to manually turn off notifications via Settings > Notifications > App Notifications.
🔁 Not the Same as Uninstalling or Disabling: Hidden apps continue to run in the background and update.

🔐 How to Lock Apps in Samsung Without Third-Party Apps

Want to add a fingerprint or PIN lock to specific apps like WhatsApp, Gallery, or Instagram? Samsung offers two powerful options: Secure Folder and Samsung Knox App Lock.

✅ Method 1: Lock Apps Using Secure Folder in Samsung

This is the official and safest method on Samsung phones.

🔧 Setup:

Go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Secure Folder.
Sign in with your Samsung account.
Set a lock method: PIN, password, or fingerprint.
Once inside Secure Folder, tap “Add Apps.”
Select the apps you want to clone & lock.
Those apps will now only be accessible inside the locked folder.

🧠 Pro Benefits:

Apps inside Secure Folder can have different data (dual WhatsApp, dual Instagram, etc.).
Notifications are hidden or customizable.
It’s bank-grade secure, powered by Samsung Knox.

🔒 Method 2: Use App Lock via One UI Mode in Samsung (Newer Phones)

In One UI 6+, Samsung added App Lock through Modes and Routines (in select regions). (Samsung Support Page)

Setup:

Go to Settings > Modes and Routines.
Create a new mode (like “Private Mode”).
Under “Lock apps,” choose apps to be locked during this mode.
Set triggers like Wi-Fi, time, or manually enable it.

🧠 This is hidden deep in the settings — most blogs don’t mention it!

🛡️ Bonus: Samsung Knox Vault – Hidden Privacy Layer

Knox Vault is Samsung’s advanced hardware-based security system designed to protect your most sensitive data — such as passwords, biometrics, encryption keys, and digital certificates — from both software and physical attacks.

🔐 Key Features of Samsung Knox Vault:

Hardware Isolation:
Knox Vault creates a secure execution environment that is physically separate from the main processor and memory. This isolates sensitive data from the main OS and even from potential malware.
Tamper-Resistant:
It is designed to resist hardware tampering, voltage manipulation, side-channel attacks, and unauthorized firmware changes.
Secured Biometric Data:
Your fingerprint and face data used for unlocking or authentication are stored securely in Knox Vault, never shared or uploaded.
Secure Boot & Runtime Protection:
Ensures that the device only runs verified and trusted software, protecting against boot-level malware or root access attacks.
Compliance-Grade Security:
Knox Vault meets government and enterprise-grade certifications (like FIPS 140-2), making it suitable for highly secure environments.
Works with Secure Folder:
Knox Vault underpins the Secure Folder feature in One UI, ensuring that data inside the folder remains encrypted and protected even if the phone is compromised.

📱 Devices That Support Knox Vault:

Galaxy S21 series and newer
Galaxy Z Fold 3/4/5
Galaxy S22/S23/S24 series
Galaxy A series (limited models with Knox Vault support)

Samsung’s latest flagships include Knox Vault, a hardware-level secure zone. Apps and data inside Secure Folder are stored in Knox Vault, making them:

Tamper-proof
Resistant to malware and root access
Nearly impossible to crack without your credentials

Check our site for Samsung A series latest smartphone Samsung A56 Review

🧩 Can You Lock System Apps in Samsung?

Yes, system apps like Gallery, Messages, and even Settings can be cloned and locked inside Secure Folder. However:

Background sync may not carry over (e.g., Google Photos sync).
You may need to manually transfer media/files.

❓ Unanswered FAQs (That Others Miss)

Q1: Can I hide apps from Secure Folder too?

No, Secure Folder apps are already hidden. But you can hide the Secure Folder icon itself from the app drawer via Settings.

Q2: What if someone finds the app in Settings > Apps?

Good catch! Hidden apps still appear in the system app list, but most people don’t check there. You can also change the app name or icon using Good Lock’s Theme Park module.

Q3: Will hiding or locking apps affect notifications or updates?

Hidden apps still receive updates and notifications (unless manually disabled).
Secure Folder apps operate separately, so you may need to enable notifications inside that folder.

Q4: Can I hide or lock apps on Samsung tablets too?

Yes, the process is identical across Samsung phones and tablets running One UI.

🔚 Final Thoughts

Whether you want to keep your work and personal apps separate, protect private chats, or simply hide apps for minimalism, Samsung offers multiple built-in options that are powerful yet easy to use.

✅ Hide apps for visual privacy.
✅ Use Secure Folder for real protection.
✅ Enable Modes for smart, dynamic app locks.

No bloatware. No ads. Just smart privacy, Samsung-style.