Very few people prominently display every app they use on the front home screen of their Android smartphone or tablet. Sometimes apps are moved to help clean up the home screen while other times they may need to be hidden due to embarrassing subject matter.
Hidden apps on Android phones aren’t usually something to worry about, but when it comes to managing a child, daughter or student’s device, it’s important to know what apps they have installed and how they use them.
Here’s the easiest and most efficient way to find hidden apps on your Android tablet or phone.
Understanding Android Folders and Screens
To see all parts of the home screen on an Android device, just swipe your finger from right to left.
Another basic way to hide apps on Android is to place them in a folder. Folders are visible on the main screen and look like a collection of four small app icons. Just tap on a folder to open it and see the apps.
How to Find Hidden Apps in App Drawer
After tapping this icon, a complete list will appear with all the installed apps sorted alphabetically. This will show you most of the apps on the Android device but there may still be some hidden. To show these hidden apps, do the following.
- From the app drawer, tap the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Tap Hide apps.
- Now you will be shown a list of any apps that the user has selected to hide from the list of apps on the previous screen. If this screen is blank or the Hide apps option is missing, it means that there are no hidden apps.
How to Find Hidden Apps in Settings
The full list of apps can also be accessed from within the Settings app. The Settings app can be opened by tapping on its icon which looks like a gear. From within Settings, tap Apps & notifications then See all apps.
Check Android Trick App
Unfortunately, just looking at the app’s icon and name may not be enough to know what’s really going on with your Android phone or tablet as there are plenty of apps in the Google Play app store that look like one type of app but are designed to hide images, videos and other data.
One of the most popular examples is the Smart Hide Calculator app which looks, and even functions, like a basic calculator app but is actually a file storage app. The calculator UI is fully functional but, when the user types in his PIN code, it unlocks and reveals its true purpose.
To double-check the true identity of each Android app, do the following.
- Tap on the app icon until a small menu appears.
- You should see a small circle next to the pencil. Tap i.
- You’ll be shown a page that explains everything about the app from its storage size to its permissions. Tap on Application details.
- You will now be taken to the app’s product page on the Google Play app store where you can read official information about it including reviews by other users.
Don’t Forget About Web Apps
More and more companies are adding full app functionality to their websites which means that users no longer have to download and install apps to access them. Instagram is one example of a functional web application that can be used in web browsers such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Tinder is another.
To check if a user has accessed a particular site, you can open the web browser app on their Android smartphone or tablet and check their browser history. Browser history can be deleted in most browsers, so it’s not a foolproof way to find out which websites you’ve visited.
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