This article explains how to uncover hidden apps on an Android device. The information below is applicable to Android phones from manufacturers such as Samsung, Google, Huawei, and Xiaomi.

How to Find Hidden Apps in the App Drawer

Reviewing all the apps visible on the Home screen is a good start, but this doesn’t show every app that’s installed. To see the complete list, including vault apps, open the app drawer. On some phones, just swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see the app drawer; others have a dotted icon you can tap.

The app drawer reveals a list of the installed apps, sorted alphabetically. This should show you most of the apps on the device, but some may be hidden. To see these hidden apps, do the following:

1. Tap the three-dot  menu at the top right corner of the app drawer.

2. Tap Hide apps.

3. The list of apps that are hidden displays. If this screen is blank or the Hide apps option is missing, then no apps are hidden.

How to Find Hidden Apps in Settings

A full app list can also be accessed from the Settings app. Tap Settings (the icon looks like a gear). Then, go to Apps > See all [#] apps. On some devices, you may need to tap Apps & Notifications first.

Check for Android Trick Apps

Looking at an app’s icon and name may not be enough to tell what’s really running on the device. Numerous apps in the Play Store might look like one kind of app, but they’re really designed to hide images, videos, and other data.

One popular example is the Smart Hide Calculator app which looks and works like a basic calculator app but is also a file storage application. The calculator UI is fully functional, but it unlocks and reveals its real purpose when a user provides the right PIN.

To verify the true identity of any Android app, do the following:

1. Tap-and-hold the app icon until a small menu appears.

2. Tap (i) App info.

3. A page appears that details everything about the app, from its storage size to its permissions. Tap App details.

4. The app’s Play Store page opens. From here, you can read official information about the app, including reviews by other users.

Understanding Android Folders and Screens

Like most smartphones and tablets, Android devices feature a Home screen that extends horizontally beyond what you first see when you turn on the device. The other parts of the Home screen are used to sort apps and widgets into groups, and sometimes, to hide apps from prying eyes.

To explore all parts of the Home screen on an Android device, swipe from right to left.

Another way to hide apps on Android is by using folders. Folders appear on the Home screen and resemble a collection of small app icons. Tap a folder to see the apps inside.

Don’t Forget About Web Apps

Many companies offer full app functionality on their websites, eliminating the need to download and install separate apps. Facebook serves as one example of a web app that functions in any browser.

To check if a user has accessed a specific site, open the web browser app (there might be several), then check its browser history. This is usually an option in the app’s main menu. The history can be deleted in most browsers, though, so this isn’t a foolproof way of finding out what websites have been visited.