How to Find Hidden Apps on Android and Any Other Mobile Device
All digital devices, including Android phones, have certain features that enable the user to hide various contents. For example, Android has hidden partitions that can’t just be stumbled upon. You have to know the correct sequence of actions to obtain access.
A lot of Android devices also come with built-in hiding software, such as the Secure Folder. Not only that, but users can even wholly hide some installed apps in a way that they’re still operating on the device, but are completely invisible in the menu.
If you want to find hidden apps on your old Android phone, here is the way to do it:
- Click “Settings”
- Go to the “Applications” section on your Android phone menu
- Have a look at the two navigation buttons
- Open the menu view and press “Task.”
- Check an option that says “Show Hidden Apps.”
In case you regularly update your versions, in this article, we will cover different means of accessing hidden apps, especially for you.
To see the complete list of applications present on the home screen, you need to open the App Drawer.
You can do this by tapping the icon that is present in the lower middle section of the home screen or by swiping up on the home screen.
- Tap the three dots in the top left corner of the App Drawer
- Locate the “Home Screen Settings” option and press it.
- Locate the “Hide Apps” tab and press it.
- You will see a screen that allows you to hide apps. On the top, there is a “Hidden Apps” tab, where all hidden apps will be displayed.
Pro Tip: If your Android phone doesn’t have the three dots option in the app drawer, just locate the “Home Screen Settings” tab on your settings page. Then, repeat the procedure above.
There is another way to find hidden apps on Android phones.
This is through accessing the “Settings” option:
- Tap the “Settings” icon to open the settings application.
- Scroll through the options in “Settings.”
- Select the “”Apps & Notifications”” option.
- Now, to see the list of applications, including the hidden ones, select the “See all apps” option.
Once done, all apps on your Android device will be displayed, including the ones that had been hidden.
Learning how to find hidden apps on an Android device is rather easy, and it only takes a couple of minutes.
Pro Tip: The app list would also show the system files and system applications as well and hence will show all apps an android device contains.
How to find secret apps on Android
There are many instances where the name of the app might not precisely represent the purpose of the app.
To find the exact true identity of an Android device app, follow the below steps:
- Firstly, keep pressing the ”App icon” till you see a small menu.
- Now, you will have to press the little ”i” that is present inside a circle. You will find this information icon near the ”pencil” icon.
- You will find a page that has all details like storage size, permissions about the app.
- Now, select the ”App details” option.
You can also read the official information, people’s reviews of the chosen app on the app’s product page in the Google play store.
All users have access to app stores that hold a wide variety of content hiding apps. You only need to perform a quick search, and you’ll be bombarded with hundreds of options.
However, even before searching, you might have noticed some specific issues on the target phone.
To start with, once you check the phone memory in the Settings there could be newly added or doubled unique IDs of applications like com.pivotmobile.android.metrics or com.wssyncmldm. That, in turn, proves that there should be some tricky changes installed or updated on the device.
Another thing, if you’ve been helping with blocking ads on someone’s device with the help of a specific app, like a bbcagent app, it could have disabled some apps without root that could have caught your attention.
One of such secret apps can be:
Secret Calculator
Secret Calculator was strictly designed for storing private photos. The app looks like your standard calculator. However, when you open it, you will see a folder that allows you to upload secret pictures and videos.
The app comes in a couple of different variations, some of which would enable users to hide and delete other sensitive information, such as web browser history.
Best Secret Folder
Best Secret Folder claims to be one of the most potent hidden apps.
It has a compelling stealth mode, and it can be tough to locate it once it’s’s hidden. The folder looks just like your ordinary folder, and it can store all sorts of data – controversial messages, photos, videos, etc.
The user is required to create a password that they have to enter every time they want to access the folder. If a stranger tried to open it and entered the wrong password, the app would turn off.
CoverMe
CoverMe is among the most flexible and versatile options from this list. It was initially developed as a secret messenger, and it can store all sorts of media files – photos, videos, contacts, call logs, etc.
These apps are only a speck in the sea of available secret apps.
This just proves how easy it can be for your children or spouse to hide sensitive content. However, with our guide, you will be able to crack all these methods in no time.
Pro Tip: Some hidden apps may require a password. To avoid typing passwords, we recommend using the mSpy app, as it has a remote keylogger that saves all keystrokes that you type.
Recent technological developments in the mobile industry come with an outstanding set of benefits, but they can also cause a couple of headaches. This is especially the case with parents, who are often concerned about their children’s activities on the internet.
Because they are so young, they are often susceptible to a lot of threats, such as online bullying or predatory activities.
On the bright side, parents can also utilize various software solutions that will enable them to monitor their children’s online activities. A quick online search will display the best parental control tools.
To understand their kids” mindsets better, parents should also think about why their children want to hide their activities.
These reasons may include:
- Using secret app technology to chat with their friends about inappropriate topics or talk to strangers anonymously.
- Hiding sensitive photos
- Hiding dating apps or other tools that their parents don’t allow them to use
- Accessing or creating adult content
What makes the online world scary is the fact that your children may be in contact with sexual predators at any given moment without your knowledge. You can mitigate this issue, though, by using internet filter software.
What can my spouse hide on their phone?
Spouses and family relationships are other sensitive topics that should be covered.
By deciding to uncover whether your spouse is hiding something, you are risking compromising your relationship with your loved ones. Although it’s always good to find out the truth, another option is that you find nothing and break the trust for even trying to monitor their activities secretly.
However, if you suspect your spouse of cheating on you, you can try to find hidden apps on their phone and discover the truth. Your spouse may be using secret apps to talk to their friends, but also lovers.
Finding evidence is essential, especially if you plan on filing for divorce later on.
Mostly those apps are used to provide secret chats or to store private information and data such as:
- Photo contents
- Various messages
- Phone and email contacts
- Web browser history
If you didn’t manage to find anything special by analyzing the hidden app folder, then try installing an Android spy app or a keylogger to clone their phones fully.
By utilizing these powerful apps, you will be able to discover all secret apps and other content with ease.
Besides that, you can read all the messages, track phone calls, and identify the GPS location of the target phone in real-time.
Hi, wondering why Dual Messenger (looks to have self-installed through a Samsung update since I haven’t seen it before yesterday and only came across it while typing “Messenger” . Doesn’t list in my apps, can’t be disabled nor force stopped. Can’t turn off notifications, nor permissions, which per the app aren’t required. “Allow this app to change system settings” was on by default. It seems to have been there since Oct 2020 and is running since using mobile data. What is this about?!
Hey Kath, have you tried checking Samsung’s website?
How do I know if my ex has hacked my phone/Apps or Email addres? I cant get into my Original Google Account and on My FB I known she was in it because, all my pictures are gone. Just the Cover photo and last update phot. The rest and all my friends except 3 have been erased. Photos of my son. My oldest son’s death certificate. My job resume everything is gone? Google gives me the verification for claiming it after the personal questions and it never works? This is my new email I had to make.
I have neighbors that have had cameras, videotaping, etc. in my home. They have started to remove some of them because I was lying in bed and heard the pulling of cables/wires etc. back to their condo and it was loud! They are escaped mental patients and have thrown rocks through my windows, slashed my tires, stole my car and have recorded me. What can you do?! They are probably reading this as I type.
I am extremely interested in how to get into the field of work your in. any information would be greatly appreciated.
I’m in the cybersecurity field working for an agency and doing freelance work. Check out my resume on LinkedIn to have a feel. I must admit though that I haven’t been checking Linkedin often.
Cant find “hidden apps folder” on Samsung Galaxy S9.
How can I do it?
Thanks!
Mspy is the best invisible app I have used. It will track every thing done on the phone you want to track, including social media and it will record live. If the phone is in their pocket while they are talking to someone you can hear the conversation.
Someone please help.how do I find on my phone if person is listening to my calls reading txts emails or photos.i got avo on this person who lives in my street.he sent messages saying he listened to all my calls reads my messages he watches my home Camera follows me everywhere police been involved to point they put CCTV system which he cut wires court doesn’t bother him makes him worst.i don’t even know him he has 26 avo on him from other ppl same issues he had security licence taken from him. Where do I find on my phone tracer.i changed my number I blocked.he done it again today. I’m not tech savvy.drained my phone I bought new one today VPN security
How do i get app viewers that Google placed under my apps.
It’s at the top
Which Android version are you talking about? You mentioned the app drawer button so I’m assuming it’s an 8 or below because in 9, they did away with the button in favor of swiping upwards. Essentially none of your advice for finding “hidden” apps applies to the newer versions. It’s probably important to say “this information applies to android 8” for example.
Thank you! I thought I was ridiculously aloof when Incpuldnt check my own phone using any of these instructions. I dont care about cheating but I have had more than event with someone who I have a restraining order against but he has somehow accessed things on my phone and published them even though he has no access to me or my phone. I’m not.panicking but if anyone knows an easy way to check my Android Galaxy s9 + for something I’d appreciate it. Stay safe everyone, Cheers from NC! Becky Elizabeth
@That Guy, your incorrect about that. I have the Samsung Galaxy S10+ and that’s exactly how I access my apps, swipe up on home screen… However, I do have the option to use the APPS button from home screen as well if I choose to, and that’s something the writer did fail to mention with these instructions. It will matter which “MODE” you have set up for your home screen and apps. If a user has “EASY” (aka classic mode) mode set for example, then it will still show the “APPS” button on the bottom of their screen rather than them swiping up on home screen to access their apps.
– tap SETTINGS in notification area after dragging down
– scroll down SETTINGS menu & tap DISPLAY
– scroll down DISPLAY menu & tap HOME screen
– 4th option down in HOME screen menu “APPS Button” slide it to the right to add the apps button to your home screen as previously was the default option in older android systems. The options discussed in this article are available. However, I feel the writer failed to touch base on what she thought were the more fundamental directions for accessing & changing these settings. Hope this helps!
how to get an app installed on a target phone without having access to it. Got a cheating husband and he is secretly texting and I need to find the proof so he can not take everything away from me when I confront him.
Please help
I have the same issues- i think husband has a secret phone! ALOT OF SECRET THINGS GOING! I need to be able to find hidden apps- folder files photos and video- how many devices r used off my internet! How many dating (sex) sights he on and when- dates! Hiden profile pic w info- hidden license or certificate any subscription. Or clubs he is a part of any groups-! Hidden contact’s- hidden proff of him buying things- apps- whores-membership! Please help me !!!!! I dont know what i am doing!!! Please he is a liar!!!!! Its making me crazy! I have to know the truth!!! Please someone help me
Wow. Its so easy to solve a cheating husband issue. You don’t even need an app to do it. You just hold yourself to a higher standard, and leave. Even if your wrong, if you feel all those different emotions while your in a relationship with someone, I sure as fuck don’t need proof. I leave and go to bed alone, and when I wake up…I feel refreshed having outsmarted the motherucker who thought they could just cheat one and get away with it. There’s not a better feeling in the world knowing when I’m falling asleep at 10pm, there isn’t someone other disrespecting me so badly that they decided it was OK to cheat. So for Christ’s sake, don’t start snooping….i mean why ruin your OWN day?! I don’t wake up in the morning and think …hey…how can I pass myself off today….oh I know! I’ll snoop thru my girlfriends phone! Good lord, I wanna have a good day….my God ladies. JUST LEAVE!!! There’s millions of men out there to be hung up on one cheater.
It’s seems there’s only 1 option left,,, you know what to do Stacy.
Check out a book on audible Passive Agressive Covert Narcissist. This may benefit you and offer clarity. You will drive yourself crazy wondering. Focus on you and make him jealous rather than going bat shit crazy
.
Jj if it only was that easy!-! I need tangible proff before i give up over 25 years the man i love- i have no income i would be homeless no car no assets no credit cards or checking acount- do u see what i am saying! Screwed emotionally and financially! I must say red flags everywhere- yes smaking me in my face! I have all these apps- jj would u help me at least find out what these apps r and if a person had to put them on or phone already had it??? I can’t get answers i understand about any of this computer crap! So i beg of u to help a lady out!!!! I just want proff of the truth! Either these apps- everyone’s phone have them- no big deal- or they where put there out of malicious intention! ! So please help!
Mspy works great but you will need access to the phone and a few minutes to go through the steps . also check out the book. Cheating Spouse Trap by Craig Beck. Free on Kindle unlimited I highly recommend this book . lots of useful info ..
I’m a fan of Flexispy it gave me the truth. Webwatcher was good too. I’ve tried about 6 different ones and only these 2 record porn mode.
Does Webwatcher work on late iphone models?
We don’t recommend using Webwatcher, try uMobix instead!
Hi I also need help, I suspect my wife has another phone, I saw on her old iPhone settings… How do I find hidden apps or does she have private phone somewhere
Did you ever find any hidden apps?