How to Find Hidden Apps on Samsung (Step-by-Step Guide)

Elsa Updated on Sep 26, 2025 Filed to: Parent Control

Millions of people use Samsung phones daily, and sometimes apps are hidden for privacy, security, or parental control reasons. Whether you want to uncover hidden apps for monitoring or troubleshooting, this guide will show you step-by-step methods to find hidden apps on any Samsung device.

find hidden apps on Samsung

Quick Steps to Find Hidden Apps on Samsung:

  1. Open Settings > Apps or Applications.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu and select Show System Apps.
  3. Scroll through the app list or use the search bar to locate unfamiliar or suspicious apps.
  4. Look in the Secure Folder, if enabled, as hidden apps may be stored there.

How to Find Samsung Secret Apps (with Third-party Apps)

In this part, we will discuss the features of third-party apps used to search for hidden apps on Samsung.

1AirDroid App Finder

AirDroid Parental Control lets parents find hidden apps on a child's Samsung phone. You can view all apps installed, track app usage time, and monitor messages with their consent.

Here's how to use AirDroid Parental Control:

Step 1: Navigate to the Google Play Store or App Store and download the AirDroid Parental Control app. On your child's device, install the AirDroid Kids app and complete the setup process.

Step 2: Now open AirDroid Parental Control and tap on App List to see all the hidden apps on your kid’s phone.

check app list

Video Tutorial: How to Find Hidden Apps on Android?

2Nova Launcher(optional)

Nova Launcher allows hiding apps from the Home screen and app drawer. Note: This method only works if the apps were hidden through Nova Launcher itself.

nova launcher

Download Steps :

1. First of all, head over to the play store of your device and search for 'Nova Launcher'.

2. Hit on installation button to start automatic installation.

3. After installation, click on the 'Open' button and sign up with your Gmail credentials.

3Hidden Apps Detector

Hidden Apps Detector scans for hidden apps, spyware, and malicious software on Samsung devices. It can detect apps that don’t appear in the standard app drawer.

hidden apps detector

Steps to Download:

1. First, open Google Play Store and tap on Hidden Apps Detector.

2. Then click on install.

3. Follow the steps and download the app.

Hidden applications scanner for Android will discover hidden apps that have been installed on your phone. Install this hidden spy program detector for Android and begin finding hidden apps or software apps. This program detects hidden software applications.

Why Are Apps Hidden on Samsung?

Samsung is one of the most popular devices among users because it provides a customization offer to hide irrelevant apps from the app drawer and home screen. So, the hidden apps feature is the best option if you want to secure your essential apps or have proper checks and balances on confidential apps.

Hide applications on your Samsung smartphone to restrict friends, relatives, and youngsters from using your mobile. If your phone does not allow hidden applications, you can download third-party app launchers that do that task effectively.

This method might be beneficial when you hide business apps at home. When you're interacting with your children, you don't want to be bothered with useless alerts, or maybe you conceal leisure applications in the office during working hours. The hiding apps are the best option of all.

Identify Spyware:

Identify Spyware from Samsung Device

1. Open Google Play Store > Menu > Play Protect > Scan.

2. Follow on-screen instructions to detect suspicious apps.

spyware

Remove Spyware (if necessary):

1. Go to Settings > Backup and Reset > Factory Data Reset.

2. Confirm with your PIN/password.

Note: Back up important data before resetting.

Bonus: How to Locate Hidden Files on Samsung?

The approach for detecting hidden files on Samsung mobile is very same as that used on Windows. Go to your Android phone's file system or gallery options & enable the "display hidden files" button. Various methods are used to locate hidden files on Samsung, such as setting options, file manager, or third-party software. All these methods will help find all apps hidden in your kid's or spouse's devices.

hidden files

For instance, the Hidden app's scanner for Android can detect hidden apps that have been installed on your device. Install this Android hidden spy program detector and look for secret applications or software programs. This application discovers hidden software programs.

Similarly, AirDroid Parental Control is one of the most excellent parental control programs for keeping children safe both offline and online. It also assists parents in guiding their children in developing healthy and positive digital habits.

FAQs about Finding Hidden Apps

1. Can I Use a Hidden Application?
Elsa
Elsa
Yes, you can use the apps that are hidden. You only need to open the app drawer, then type the application name in the search box and launch the particular app when it shows to you on the screen.
2. How Can I View Hidden Apps That Have Been Deleted?
Elsa
Elsa
It's extremely conceivable that your gadget, like a computer, has a trash folder. Aside from that, I'm afraid you're doomed if your phone isn't linked to the cloud and any other online backup. In terms of hidden applications, you can locate and add them in your browser settings, or you may search for them by typing any hidden application names into your phone. And your phone will get you somewhere.
3. How to Uncover Hidden Apps on my Child's Samsung Phone?
Elsa
Elsa
You can use AirDroid Parental Control to find hidden apps on your child's Samsung phone and  easily track child's location, check daily online activity, and schedule screen time & application usage.
4. How Do I Put Hidden Apps Back on my Samsung Home Screen?
Elsa
Elsa
Go to Home screen settings > Hide apps, then uncheck the apps you want to appear.
5. How Do I Find Hidden or Missing Apps on Android?
Elsa
Elsa
You can go to the Settings on your Android phone, then select Apps, you can find hidden or missing apps by checking your App list.
6. Where Can I Find My Hidden Apps?
Elsa
Elsa
You can find your hidden apps by Samsung secure folder or app drawer.
7. How to Find Hidden Apps on Samsung s21?
Elsa
Elsa
You can find hidden apps on all Samsung phones by AirDroid Parental Control, including Samsung s21, Samsung s22.
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310728 views , 5 min read
Elsa
Elsa
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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