If you own a smartphone then you probably have heard about hidden apps on your Android devices. These hidden apps may be pre-loaded by the manufacturers on mobile devices or are hidden on purpose after being installed by the user. So, how do you find these hidden apps? With this article, you will learn how to find hidden apps on Android phones.
In addition, certain hidden apps that Android installs on smartphones to maintain device productivity and security checks are most times hidden to avoid being removed or uninstalled from the device.
Therefore, if this has posed a threat on your device and you are looking to find out how to identify these hidden apps to satisfy your curiosity, here is a guide for you. I will walk you through how I find hidden apps on my Android phone in a step-by-step process.
In the world we live in, it is hard to keep up with the rapid growth of science and technology. While most technology advancements are beneficial, some of them can also be detrimental to your existence.
Irrespective of how much you trust your kids, you should always maintain parental scepticism. Giving your children unrestricted freedom can hurt them and harm their future. They can even use certain applications you wouldn’t approve of and hide them from you if your child has an Android smartphone.
You must learn how to find hidden apps on Android if you want to overcome such parenting difficulties. Knowing how to detect these applications will help you discover whether your child is engaging in questionable or improper behaviour.
As a parent, you have the right to know about your children’s secret activities because hidden applications may reveal a lot about their users.
How to Find Hidden Apps on Android
There are a few steps to take to find hidden apps on your Android phone. And we have had them under control in this guide. Follow the steps below to learn the steps to take to find and identify hidden apps on your Android phone.
Using Android Phone Settings
The Settings app on your phone is the best place to start looking for hidden apps if you have an Android phone. Even if certain apps are hidden and not accessible in the app drawer, you can quickly find out the list of all installed apps on your smartphone using this option.
Follow these steps on your Android phone to check:
- Navigate to the Settings app on your Android device.
- Choose Apps.
- Select the See all X apps checkbox.
- All of the apps that have been installed on this phone will be listed here.
- You can also view the disabled apps by clicking the blue drop-down list button at the top.
- If you find any suspicious app and want to learn more about it, click on it.
- Select App details to see the app’s Google Play Store page. You will find all of the app’s information there.
As quick as it’s you can find all hidden apps on your phone by following the steps above. If the steps above are too complicated kindly follow the next suggestions below.
Find Hidden Apps on Android via File Manager
Do you know the popular File Manager on your Android phone can also help to find apps on your device? Well, it can discover hidden applications; to do so, follow the instructions below:
- Navigate to the Android app drawer.
- To open it, select File Manager or the Files app.
- Select Apps to get a list of all available apps.
- APKs should also have their category. You may use this to discover apps installed from potentially untrustworthy sources.
- You may view app details and even remove apps from this page.
The Safe folder option is included in several file management apps. Users can safely store files in this folder since it requires a PIN or pattern to unlock.
You may also look in that folder for any suspicious apps that the device owner is trying to conceal.
Using App Drawer
The full list of installed apps is displayed in the App Drawer on your smartphone. By clicking the symbol with four or six dots (depending on the phone) located at the bottom centre of the screen within a circle, you may open the app drawer.
Once you click on this button, an app drawer screen will appear with an alphabetized list of all the installed apps on your smartphone. The majority of the Android device’s applications are visible here, but there’s a possibility that some of them are still hidden.
Follow the instructions below on how to find hidden apps on Android:
- Go to the app drawer area.
- Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of the device screen.
- Select the Home Screen Settings option. It will take you to the Hide Applications option; select it.
- Hidden apps are those that are not shown in the app list.
- If the hidden screen does not display any applications or the Hide Apps menu is missing, this indicates that no apps are hidden on your smartphone.
This is another way to find hidden apps on Android, you can try out the next method as well.
Using Parental Control Apps
Parental control apps offer a different but simple method for discovering hidden apps on Android devices. Use a parental control app made with kids in mind if you want to find out what hidden applications are on your child’s phone and keep them safe.
It includes viewing their messenger conversations, viewing media on their devices, viewing their browser history, and much more. The mSpy parental control app enables you to uncover hidden apps on Android phones, allowing you to see which apps are installed on your child’s phone, including hidden apps. Such a hidden app finder also includes many other features to monitor and keep your children safe.
Find Hidden Apps on Android with Special Access
For those who are interested in learning how to find hidden applications on Android, here is another simple fix. This is a good strategy if you don’t have much time to check your phone.
There is a Special app access category, or similar in your Apps menu. It separates the apps according to privileges. You can quickly find the apps you are looking for here. Here is the detailed instruction for you:
- Go to Settings >> Apps.
- Scroll down and click on Special app access.
- Tap on any app, such as Premium SMS, Wi-Fi control, Unrestricted data, or Install unknown apps.
- You will get a list of apps that fit into that category based on your decision.
Voila! That’s how to find hidden apps on Android!
Using Tricky Apps
Aside from learning how to identify hidden applications, you need also to understand how Android users might store secret files and components on your phones. With increased awareness among parents and partners, new strategies for hiding private images, papers, and sensitive information have evolved.
Calculator Photo Vault is a popular example. This app, as the name implies, allows you to save images behind the guise of a calculator app. It may appear to be an innocent calculator app based on its image and name, but it can hide photographs, videos, and data using a misleading label and password system.
There are plenty of such trick applications accessible currently. All of these strategies will not function unless you are aware of them.
As you can see, it’s critical to know these app categories to identify dubious Android apps. Additionally, take discretion when using these hidden apps. Why would someone need an additional calculator app when every Android phone already has one? You need to be watchful to identify scam applications.
We are in an unpredictable world where things are changing quickly. Hackers, fraudsters, and con artists lurk everywhere, waiting for an opportunity to hurt you in many ways. Being the centre of our daily communication and connection, smartphones frequently reveal the secrets of their owners’ lives.
Knowing how to find hidden apps on Android is essential whether you are a suspicious parent of a preteen or adolescent or someone whose spouse has recently acted oddly.