How to Find Hidden Apps on Android | Complete Guide
Most kids and teens these days have an unsaid obsession with hiding things and keeping things private, especially their online activities. They may hide video, messaging, or chatting apps on their phones just to keep them away from their parents' sight. You must want to be sure that your kids are not hiding any such inappropriate or strange apps on their Android phones. That's when learning how to find hidden apps on Android can become handy. Knowing different ways to find secret apps on Android will help you keep your kids away from explicit content.
In addition, sometimes Android phones have built-in/pre-installed hidden apps or programs running in the background. These apps/programs are pre-installed on our phones to ensure security and mobile productivity. Still, we should know how to find programs that are running in the background or find these hidden strange apps and unhide them. We'll discuss some easy ways to find secret Android hidden app icons in your kid's phone.
Part 1. Common Reasons for People Hide Apps on Their Phones
People can have different reasons for hiding apps on their phones. Let's discuss some of these reasons below:
Kids hiding inappropriate apps
When kids hide apps on their phones, there is mostly one reason, and that is when they use inappropriate apps. Whether they're using explicit video content apps, chat apps, or adult dating apps, they will try to hide all these strange apps from their parents.
Partners cheating on their significant others
Adults in relationships sometimes hide apps on their phones or even hide phones from their partners for only one common reason: cheating. When they have dating apps on their phone or flirting with someone else on a chatting app, they will hide those apps to keep themselves out of any suspicion.
Built-in hidden apps
All phones have a few or more hidden apps pre-installed in the system. These apps help keep your phone secure from bugs and also ensure smooth operation speed.
Part 2. How to Find Hidden Apps on Android-4 Proven Methods
Here are four different methods to find hidden apps on Android phones:
Method 1. Checking the home screen and app drawer
If you want to check hidden apps on a phone, you must know how to find hidden apps in Samsung or any other Android phone. The following simple steps will help you learn how to see hidden apps on Android phones:
Step 1. Skim through all the app icons on the home screen or in folders on the home screen (if there are any). Identify any app that appears suspicious.
Step 2. Now, locate the app drawer menu icon (mostly a cube of dots) at the bottom of the screen. Depending on the Android phone, the app drawer can also appear by swiping up the screen from the bottom.
Step 3. You can find almost all the apps installed on that Android phone in the app drawer. If not, then...
Step 4. Tap on the three-dot icon (near the search bar) in the app drawer menu at the right-most corner of the screen top.
Step 5. Click the 'Hide Apps' options, and you will find secret apps on Android in the Hide App menu. If the menu is empty with no apps or you don't see the Hide App option, then there are no hidden apps on the phone.
Method 2. Checking Settings for installed apps
Knowing how to find hidden apps on your phone can be a great help, especially when you don't remember what apps you have on your phone. Follow the below step-by-step method to find any hidden inside apps on your Android phone:
Step 1. Go to Settings app on your Android.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on Manage Apps or Apps. Some Android phone models have an 'Apps and Notification' option; click on it.
Step 3. Now, click on All or See All menu. Here, you will see the complete list of apps, including hidden strange apps pre-installed on your phone.
It is a very simple method and will work most of the time to find hidden apps on a phone.
Method 3. Checking background running apps
In Android phones, sometimes apps and programs are running in the background without our knowledge. While some of these applications ensure all mobile operations are running smoothly, others only drain our phone battery. If you want to know how to find programs running in the background, here's how:
Step 1. Go to the Settings app on your Android phone.
Step 2. Now, tap on Apps and Notifications or App Management.
See the apps in both the Running and Installed menus, and you will see all the apps running on your phone. Don't disturb any system essential apps, and remove strange apps that you find running in the background.
Method 4. Using App Store history or Google Play Store history
Do you know you can find strange inside apps on Android even after they've been deleted from the phone? We know you are curious about how to find hidden message apps on Android. Here is an easy method for 'How to find hidden apps on an Android phone using Google Play Store history':
Step 1. Go to the Google Play Store app on your Android phone.
Step 2. Tap on the Profile option in the upper right corner.
Step 3. Click on Manage apps and device>Manage. Here, you will see all installed apps on the phone.
Step 4. Tap on the 'Installed' filter and select 'Not installed.'
Step 5. A new app menu will appear where you can see almost all the apps that have ever been installed on that phone and were deleted later.
This method will help you find both installed and deleted apps on that Android phone.
Part 3. How to Find Someone's Hidden Apps on Android without Them Knowing
Although the above methods work most of the time, what if you want to know how to check hidden apps on someone else's phone? You can use Msafely to view hidden apps on Android without them knowing.
Msafely is a parental control app that tracks someone's phone activities and helps you keep them safe from explicit content, cyberbullying, and threats. You can track their real-time location, social media, installed apps, and calls, and even mark restricted locations with its strong geofencing feature.
Unlike other tracker apps, Msafely gives you complete access to your target phone's activities to ensure your loved one's safety. It is a legal app where you can connect your kid's phone to your Msafely account and find all the apps and sites they are using on their phone.
You will love how it works in entirely discreet mode and keeps itself hidden from your target's eyes.
Key features of Msafely
Following are some of the comprehensive monitoring features of Msafely:
These are only some of the Msafely tracking features; there are many more powerful monitoring features that you can see in the live demo on the website.
Steps to use Msafely to find someone's hidden apps on Android without them knowing
To use Msafely, you don't have to download the app on either of the two phones, which means you don't need physical access to your target phone. Here's how to find hidden apps on Android phones using Msafely:
Step 1. Sign up for free
Sign up for a free account with your email.
Step 2. Connect your target phone
Select the type of phone you want to track: Android or iPhone. If it’s a Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, or similar brand, choose Android. If the phone is an iPhone, select iPhone.
Step 3. Choose a Subscription Plan
Msafely offers three subscription plans: 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months. The longer the plan you choose, the more cost-effective it becomes. Regardless of which subscription plan you select, you’ll have access to all monitoring features.
Step 4. Start monitoring
After you've signed up, you will see the Msafely Control Panel. You can now track and find secret apps on Android. You can also find any hidden text messages on Android now.
Part 4. FAQs
Q1. How do I unhide apps on Android?
To unhide applications on Android, go to the app drawer menu through the home screen. Find the three-dot option on the top and click on it. Now, click on hide apps, and a menu with all the hidden apps will pop up. Click on the app you want to unhide, select unhide, and you're all done.
Q2. Which app is best for hiding apps?
There are many apps that you can find online to help you keep your secrets apps confidential and hidden from all eyes. Hide App Application, Vault, App Hider, Hide It Pro, and Nova Launcher are some of the best options available out there.
Q3. How to find hidden apps in Samsung?
Go to the App drawer and tap on the three dots option in the top right corner. Click on Hide Apps from the appeared settings option. You will find hidden inside apps here, and if it shows a black box, then that means there are no apps hidden on your Samsung.
Q4. How to find programs running in the background?
To find programs that are running in the background, go to Settings>Apps Management or Apps and Notifications. Now check both Running and Installed menus and see any strange apps and programs running in the background.
Q5. How to find hidden things on someone's phone?
Whether you want to find apps, pictures or hidden text messages on Android, use a tracker app like Msafely. Go to msafely and use your email account to sign up for free. Now, select a suitable plan and connect your target phone to your account. Start tracking your target to find any secret apps or hidden text messages on Android without them knowing.
Part 5. Conclusion
Kids, teens, and even adults these days are too keen to hide apps from any other person who might use their phones. No matter what their reason for hiding strange apps on their phones is, you should find secret apps on Android.
Knowing how to find hidden apps on Android phones will help you keep track of your children's phone activities. Whether you follow any of the built-in apps to find hidden inside apps or use a parental control app such as Msafely, keep your loved ones safe from any inappropriate activities.