Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Hide or Show Hidden Apps in the Applications Menu

If you didn't add the app icon in the Home screen, you can access the app from the applications menu where all installed apps are displayed. In here, you can do another things aside from accessing the app, such as: create new folder, uninstall apps, access app info, etc.

See also: How to Edit Applications Menu in the Samsung Galaxy S4

In certain case, you may want to not display some apps in the apps menu without having to uninstall them in order to keep them running in the phone but don't want anybody know. Luckily, this phone has the option which will allow you do so easily.



How to hide apps in the applications menu?
Below are the steps to do so:
  1. Go to Apps through Home screen.
  2. Tap the Menu key then select Hide applications.
  3. You'll see the checkbox appears in each app.
  4. Tick the checkbox in the desired apps you wish to hide from the apps menu.
  5. Tap Done button.
  6. The selected apps will not be displayed in the apps menu.

How to show hidden apps in the applications menu?
For any reason, if you want to bring back the hidden apps to the apps menu, then you can do so by following the steps below:
  1. Go to Apps through Home screen,
  2. Tap the Menu key, scroll to the bottom and then select Show hidden applications.
  3. All the hidden apps will be displayed here with the checkbox in each app.
  4. Tick the checkbox in the desired apps you wish to show.
  5. Tap Done button.
  6. The selected apps will be displayed again in the apps menu.

FYI, when you hide the app, it will only remove the app icon from the apps menu instead of uninstalling the app. So, you still be able to use them, though they're not displayed in the apps menu. For instance, you did hide Gallery app, when you take a screenshot and open it, the picture will be opened in the Gallery app.

8 comments:

  1. my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone wont show this option at all

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Palmi Rafn Eiriksson,
      Thanks for coming.
      This option is available in Galaxy S4 with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. If your phone runs with Android 4.4, this option is no longer available. By default, in Android 4.4, you're only allowed to uninstall third-party apps or disable stock apps. But, I believe there's an app in Google Play Store that has an option to hide/show apps.

      Delete
    2. What is the app in Google Play??? I have been looking and all the ones I found only lock the app but the icon remains!! HELP!!

      Delete
    3. Hi Meaky,
      Thanks for coming.
      I've found an app that has a feature to hide/show hidden apps in the Google Play Store, but your phone should be rooted to make it works. The app called Hide App-Hide Application Icon. Here's the link:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thinkyeah.apphider
      Hope it helps :)

      Delete
  2. installed kitkat on s4 and hide function dissapeared help me how to return hide button or how to return back my jelly bean system

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Hell Babluani,
      Thanks for coming.
      Unfortunately, the hide/show hidden apps option has been removed in Android 4.4 Kitkat, so you can only disable the stock apps or uninstall third-party apps. FYI, downgrade Android version is risky though it's possible, moreover if the reason you want to do it only to bring one option back. So, in my opinion, it'll be better you use a third-party app that has an option to hide app as I've mentioned in the Meaky's comment right above yours.

      Delete
  3. You don't need a third party app... This is the same as the old way... go to your apps and hold the app... drag it to Disable apps and it does the same...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Treasa Ransome,
      Thanks for coming.
      In the previous Android version we can use the hide/show app option for all apps(both the stock and third-party/downloaded apps). But, in the Android 4.4 Kitkat, we're only allowed to disable the stock apps and uninstall the third-party/downloaded apps. So, in certain case, we need to use a third-party app if we want just hide a third-party/downloaded app installed in the phone without uninstalling the app.

      Delete

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