Published on February 24th, 2025
Have you ever felt that your Android smartphone is hiding something from you? You are not imagining things! Among your go-to apps and familiar icons, hidden apps can be shrewdly disguised, and stored in obscure files and folders. Whether your loved ones install them for genuine reasons like keeping track of your activities or they are there for harmful reasons such as stealing information, these applications can be hard to discover.
But, there is nothing to worry about—we have got your back. In this blog, our experts will explain multiple ways to find hidden apps on Android devices. With this knowledge, you will be able to uncover what’s really lurking in plain sight and take complete control of your device once again. Let’s get started.
Find Hidden Apps in Android Using Settings
Android phones have this feature of keeping many apps hidden. But you can easily find these hidden elements by navigating through the Settings menu. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open Settings – Open Settings on your smartphone
Step 2: View all Installed Apps – Scroll down to Apps. On this screen, you can view all the apps installed on your smartphone. Click on See All Apps. Here, check for any suspicious apps or apps you may have forgotten.
Step 3: Check for Hidden Apps – If you’ve hidden or disabled any app accidentally, you can click on the option to see only those apps. Once you click on it, a dropdown menu will appear that displays all disabled apps.
Find Hidden Apps in Android Using App Drawer
The app drawer is one of the best methods to narrow down the types of software you are seeking, offering an effective way to find hidden apps on Android devices. With continuous upgrades in Android devices, you will find better ways to manage and store your content. Various manufacturers provide multiple solutions to hide apps on Android, but they all have one thing in common — app drawer. It’s a scrollable screen on your device when you swipe up your device’s Home Screen.
While on this screen, you’ve options to hide or unhide any application via the app drawers menu button. It normally looks like a grid of three dots, a hamburger icon, or a gear icon. When you click on it, a list of all installed apps will appear on your screen, arranged alphabetically or usage frequency.
Scroll through the list and look suspicious or may not be visible on your device’s Home Screen. In some devices, you may find folders where hidden apps are stored.
Find Hidden Apps in Android Using File Manager
File Manager is another perfect way to access hidden apps on your Android device. It’s a simple way to check any application that’s not visible on your App Drawer.
Step 1: Open File Manager – Find & open File Manager on your device. Usually, every Android phone has an in-built File Manager named ‘Files.’ In case your phone doesn’t have one, you can download a third-party manager from Google Play Store.
Step 2: Find Installed Apps & APKs – Once you open it, click on the Apps. Here, you can find all your phone’s applications — installed apps, in-built system apps, and APKs. It includes all hidden apps as well that you might not locate in the App Drawer.
Step 3: Manage Hidden Files – The File Manager app allows you to share, delete, or move applications to other folders or locations. It’s very useful when you are organizing or uninstalling certain apps that you no longer need.
Also Read: Why Android App Development is Necessary for Online Businesses?
Find Hidden Apps in Android Using Third-Party Apps
If you fail to uncover hidden apps on Android using the former ways, try using third-party apps. These apps are designed to thoroughly scan your smartphone. After the scan is completed, they display a list of all hidden apps. Some apps that you may find helpful include:
Hidden App Finder: This app helps you uncover hidden apps by scanning your mobile phone for hidden apps and creating a comprehensive list.
App Inspector: This app offers extensive information about every app that is installed on your phone, even ones that might be cleverly concealed. Its sophisticated filtering and sorting features make it simple to find hidden apps.
Hidden Apps Detector: This tool thoroughly scans your device to find any hidden apps that might be hiding in the App Drawer or Settings on your phone.
- Hidden App Finder: This app scans your device to detect hidden apps and draws a list of them.
- Hidden Apps Detector: This app scans your whole device and makes a list of potential apps that may be hiding in your mobile phone’s Settings or App Drawer.
- App Inspector: With App Inspector, you will get detailed information on apps saved on your smartphone, including those hiding under plain sight. It has various features like applying filters and sorting apps based on several criteria, making it easier to find hidden apps.
To use hidden app finder apps, first, you need to install them from the Google Play Store. Once installed, open the app and follow the screen instructions to run the app’s scan feature.
Step 1 – Find and open Google Play Store. Type your app’s name in the Search Bar.
Step 2 – Download the app on your device.
Step 3 – Tap on Open. Follow the step-by-step instructions given on the screen to proceed with the scan.
Step 4 – Go through the list of all hidden apps saved in your Android device.
Also Read: How Much Does Android App Development Cost?
Find Hidden Apps in Android Using Special App Access
Android phones have a great feature called Special App Access. Applications with special permissions, like the ability to view your files, manage your Wi-Fi, or install other apps independently, can be found with its help. Upon employing the Special App Access function, you might discover several hidden applications that you haven’t remembered downloading.
Steps to follow to discover apps with special permissions:
Step 1: Launch Settings.
Step 2: Find Apps or Applications by scrolling down.
Step 3: Click on See All Apps.
Step 4: There, you can check all your device’s apps. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and tap on Special App Access.
Step 5: Once opened, check for special permissions for each app.
If you’ve found suspicious or dangerous apps with special permissions, you can edit permissions or delete those apps to ensure your device’s security.
Find Hidden Apps in Android Using Parental Control Apps
Parental Control applications are a helpful tool to observe your child’s internet and smart device activity. To be sure that the children aren’t using any unsafe or inappropriate apps, these tools assist parents in locating any hidden or dubious apps that are downloaded on their Android smartphones.
In order to ensure that their children are accessing the internet responsibly, parental control apps also help parents in setting usage restrictions and keeping an eye on their search history. Some examples of Parental Control apps for Android users include Qustodio, mSpy, and Norton Family.
To use Parental Control apps efficiently, follow these steps:
Step 1 – Open Google Play Store and search for a credible Parental Control App. Download it on your device. Here, you must install it on your and your kid’s device as well.
Step 2 – To connect your device with your child’s, go through the step by step guide given on the app screen. It may include making a user account and allowing in-app permissions.
Step 3 – Keep an eye on your child’s online activities by frequently checking the app. Look for any installed age-appropriate or hidden apps on their device.
Step 4 – Talk to your children in a constructive and open manner about using their phones and staying safe online.
Final Words
Hidden apps on Android can be a mystery, but they don’t have to stay that way. Whether you’re protecting your privacy, keeping an eye on your kids, or just curious, the methods in this blog—like using settings, file managers, or third-party apps—can help you uncover what’s hidden.
Stay proactive and take control of your device. With these tools, you can ensure your smartphone remains safe and transparent. Ready to uncover those hidden apps? Start exploring today!
