Learn how to hide apps on your Nothing Phone (3a) with simple steps, to keep your apps private from others and your phone tidy.
Over 60% of smartphone users have apps they’d rather keep private. It’s a big number. Many people want to hide certain apps from others. Maybe it’s a dating app. Or perhaps it’s a banking app. Whatever it is, the Nothing Phone (3a) makes it possible.
You can hide apps without deleting them. This guide will show you how. We’ll use simple steps. Moreover, we’ll explain everything clearly. Let’s get into the action, and see how to keep apps hidden on this phone.
Why Hide Apps on Your Nothing Phone (3a)?
Before we get to the steps, let’s think about why you’d want to hide apps. There are a few reasons. Each one makes sense for different people.
Privacy Matters
Your phone holds personal stuff. It has your emails. It stores your photos. Maybe it even has your bank details. You don’t want everyone to see these things. Hiding apps keeps them safe from nosy friends or family. For example, you might hide a messaging app. Or perhaps a journal app. It’s like putting a lock on your secrets.
A Cleaner Home Screen
Too many apps can make your phone messy. You open your home screen. You see dozens of icons. It’s hard to find what you need. Hiding apps you don’t use often fixes this. Your screen looks neater. Plus, it feels less overwhelming.
Keeping Things Safe
Do you share your phone? Maybe with kids or coworkers? Hiding apps stops them from opening things they shouldn’t. For instance, you might hide a game. Or a social media app. This keeps your phone safe and simple for others to use.
Hiding apps doesn’t remove them. You can still use them. They just stay out of sight. It’s a smart way to stay in control.
Also read: How to Reset Your Nothing Phone (3a)
How to Hide Apps on Your Nothing Phone (3a)
Now, let’s get to the fun part. There are several ways to hide apps on your Nothing Phone (3a). We’ll cover the main ones. You can pick what works for you.
Method 1: Check Nothing OS for a Built-In Feature
The Nothing Phone (3a) uses Nothing OS. It’s built on Android. Some Android phones have a way to hide apps. Nothing OS might too. Here’s how to find out.
- Open your app drawer. This is where all your apps are.
- Look for a menu icon. It could be three dots. Or maybe a gear. Check the top corner.
- Tap it. Look for something like “Hide apps.” Or perhaps “Hidden space.”
- If you see it, tap it. Then, pick the apps you want to hide.
- Hit confirm. The apps will disappear from the app drawer.
Not all phones have this. If you don’t see the option, don’t panic. There are more ways to try.
Method 2: Use a Third-Party Launcher
A launcher changes how your home screen looks. It’s an app you download. Many launchers let you hide apps. One of the best is Nova Launcher. It’s free and easy.
Here’s how to use Nova Launcher:
- Go to the Google Play Store.
- Search for “Nova Launcher.”
- Tap “Install.” Wait for it to download.
- Open Nova Launcher. Your phone will ask if you want it as your default launcher.
- Say yes. If it doesn’t ask, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Home app. Pick Nova.
- Long-press on your home screen. A menu will pop up.
- Tap “Settings” or “Nova Settings.”
- Tap “App drawer.”
- Tap “Hide apps.”
- Check the boxes next to the apps you want to hide.
- Tap “Back.” The apps are gone from the app drawer.
Want to find a hidden app? Open the app drawer. Tap the search bar. Type the app’s name. It’ll show up. You can also drag it to your home screen if you want.
To unhide apps, go back to Nova Settings. Tap “App drawer.” Tap “Hide apps.” Uncheck the boxes. The apps will reappear.
Nova Launcher is cool. It lets you change icons too. You can tweak your phone however you like.
Method 3: Try Android’s Guest Mode
Android has a feature called guest mode. It’s like a second user on your phone. When you switch to guest mode, your personal apps vanish. Here’s how to set it up.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “System.”
- Tap “Multiple users.”
- Turn on “Allow multiple users.”
- Add a guest user.
- Switch to guest mode. Do this from the lock screen. Or pull down the notification shade.
In guest mode, only basic apps show. Your personal apps stay hidden. But there’s a catch. You have to switch users each time. It’s not great for quick hiding. It works better if you’re lending your phone to someone.
Method 4: Use an App Locker
App lockers protect apps with a password. Some can hide apps too. A good one is AppLock. It’s free on the Play Store.
Here’s how to use AppLock:
- Download AppLock from the Google Play Store.
- Open it. Set a password.
- Give it permissions. It’ll ask for access to your apps.
- Go to the “Privacy” tab in AppLock.
- Tap “Hide apps.”
- Pick the apps you want to hide.
- Confirm. The apps will vanish.
To see hidden apps, open AppLock. Enter your password. You’ll find them there.
AppLock adds security. Even if someone finds the app, they need your password. It’s a strong choice for private stuff.
Step-by-Step Guide: Hiding Apps with Nova Launcher
Let’s zoom in on one method. Nova Launcher is a fan favorite. It works great on the Nothing Phone (3a). Here’s a detailed guide.
Step 1: Install Nova Launcher
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Type “Nova Launcher” in the search bar.
- Tap “Install.”
- Wait for it to finish downloading.
Step 2: Make Nova Your Default Launcher
- Open Nova Launcher.
- Your phone will ask if you want it as your default.
- Tap “Yes.”
- If it skips this, go to Settings.
- Tap “Apps.”
- Tap “Default apps.”
- Tap “Home app.”
- Choose Nova Launcher.
Step 3: Open Nova Settings
- Go to your home screen.
- Long-press on an empty spot.
- A menu will appear.
- Tap “Settings” or “Nova Settings.”
Step 4: Hide Your Apps
- In Nova Settings, tap “App drawer.”
- Scroll down.
- Tap “Hide apps.”
- You’ll see a list of your apps.
- Check the boxes next to the ones you want to hide.
- Tap “Back” or “Done.”
The apps are hidden now. They won’t show in the app drawer. They won’t appear on your home screen either.
How to Find Hidden Apps
- Open the app drawer.
- Tap the search bar at the top.
- Type the app’s name.
- It’ll pop up in the results.
- Tap it to open.
You can also add it to your home screen. Search for it. Long-press the icon. Drag it where you want.
How to Unhide Apps
- Go back to Nova Settings.
- Tap “App drawer.”
- Tap “Hide apps.”
- Uncheck the boxes next to the apps.
- Tap “Back” or “Done.”
The apps will show up again. It’s that simple.
Nova Launcher is a solid pick. It’s fast, and free too. Also, it gives you tons of ways to customize your Nothing Phone (3a).
Also read: 10 Best Apps for Nothing Phone (3a):
Troubleshooting: What If Something Goes Wrong?
Hiding apps is easy. But sometimes, things don’t work right. Here are some fixes.
I Can’t Find My Hidden Apps
- Using Nova? Open the app drawer. Search for the app.
- Using AppLock? Open the app. Enter your password. Check the hidden list.
The Apps Won’t Hide
- Did you confirm your choice? In Nova, tap “Back” after picking apps.
- In other methods, look for a “Done” button. Tap it.
I Forgot How to Access Hidden Apps
- Check your settings. For Nova, it’s in “App drawer.”
- For AppLock, open the app. Look under “Privacy.”
I Want to Hide System Apps
- Some methods don’t allow this. System apps are tricky.
- You can disable them instead. Go to Settings > Apps. Find the app. Tap “Disable.” But be careful. This might mess up your phone.
Extra Tips for Hiding Apps
Want to make the most of this? Here are some ideas.
Add Security
- Hiding apps keeps them out of sight. But it’s not perfect.
- Someone could still find them. Use an app locker for a password.
- This locks apps tight. It’s peace of mind.
Check Your Hidden Apps
- Hidden apps can pile up. You might forget them.
- They still take space. They might run in the background.
- Look at them sometimes. Unhide or delete what you don’t need.
Lock Your Phone Too
- Hiding apps is a start. But a phone lock is better.
- Use a password. Or try fingerprint unlock.
- This keeps your whole phone safe.
Why Hiding Apps Is a Big Deal
Your Nothing Phone (3a) is yours. It holds your life. Think about your messages. Your photos. Your bank info. Keeping these private matters. Hiding apps gives you control. You decide what others see.
It’s not just about secrets. A tidy home screen helps too. You find apps faster. Your phone feels smoother. It’s a small step. But it changes how you use your device.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
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Can I Hide System Apps?
Not always. Launchers like Nova skip system apps. However, you can disable them in Settings > Apps. But watch out. It might break something.
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Do Hidden Apps Still Get Notifications?
Yes. Hiding doesn’t stop them. If you want to stop notifications, then go to Settings > Notifications. Turn them off.
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Can I Hide Apps Without a Launcher?
Maybe. Check if Nothing OS has a hide feature. If not, you need a launcher or app locker.
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How Do I Unhide Apps?
In Nova, go to “Hide apps.” Uncheck the boxes. Then in AppLock, open the app. Remove them from the hidden list.
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Can I Lock Hidden Apps?
Hiding doesn’t lock them. It just hides them. You can use an app locker like AppLock. It adds a password.
More Ways to Customize Your Nothing Phone (3a)
Hiding apps is just the start. You can do more. Change your wallpaper. Add widgets. Nothing OS makes it easy. Go to Settings. Play around. Make your phone yours.
Keep it updated too. Nothing sends updates. They fix bugs. They add features. Check Settings > System > System update. Stay current.
Wrapping It Up
Hiding apps on your Nothing Phone (3a) is simple. You’ve got options. Use Nothing OS if it has a hide feature. Try Nova Launcher for flexibility. Set up guest mode for quick switches. Or lock apps with AppLock. Each way works. Pick what fits you.
Your phone is personal. Keep it that way. Hide apps to stay private. Clear your home screen. Take control. Try these steps today. You’ll love the difference!