Hiding Apps on Your Huawei Phone: A Complete Guide

In today’s digital age, our smartphones are packed with apps for various purposes – social media, banking, games, and more. While this abundance of apps offers convenience, it can also lead to a cluttered home screen and concerns about privacy. If you own a Huawei phone and want to declutter your screen or keep certain apps private, you’ll be happy to know that Huawei offers several ways to hide apps. This comprehensive guide will walk you through different methods to hide apps on your Huawei device, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips.

## Why Hide Apps on Your Huawei Phone?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s explore why you might want to hide apps in the first place:

* **Privacy:** You might have sensitive apps, like banking or dating apps, that you don’t want others to stumble upon when they use your phone.
* **Decluttering:** A crowded home screen can be overwhelming. Hiding less frequently used apps can create a cleaner and more organized interface.
* **Parental Control:** If you have children using your phone, you might want to hide certain apps to prevent them from accessing inappropriate content or making unauthorized purchases.
* **Security:** Hiding apps can add an extra layer of security, making it slightly more difficult for someone to access your private information if your phone falls into the wrong hands.

## Methods to Hide Apps on Huawei Phones

Huawei offers several built-in features and alternative methods to hide apps. Let’s explore each one in detail:

### 1. Using the App Lock Feature (Recommended)

Huawei’s App Lock feature is a built-in security tool that allows you to lock specific apps with a password, PIN, or fingerprint. While its primary purpose is to prevent unauthorized access, it can also be used to effectively hide apps from the home screen and app drawer.

**Steps to Hide Apps using App Lock:**

1. **Open the Settings App:** Locate the “Settings” app on your Huawei phone. It usually has a gear icon.
2. **Navigate to Security & Privacy:** Scroll down and tap on “Security & Privacy.” Depending on your EMUI version, it might be labeled slightly differently, such as “Security.”
3. **Find App Lock:** Within the “Security & Privacy” menu, look for “App Lock.” If you don’t see it directly, you might find it under a submenu like “More security settings.”
4. **Enable App Lock:** If this is your first time using App Lock, you’ll need to enable it. You’ll be prompted to set a password, PIN, or use your fingerprint as the authentication method. Choose the option that you prefer and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up. **Important:** Make sure to remember your App Lock password or PIN, as you’ll need it to access the locked apps.
5. **Select Apps to Lock and Hide:** Once App Lock is enabled, you’ll see a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Toggle the switch next to each app you want to lock and hide. When you toggle the switch, you will see a message saying “Hide home screen icons for locked apps”. Make sure you enable this setting if you want to completely hide the apps. This will not only lock the apps but also remove their icons from the home screen and app drawer.
6. **Optional: Enable Fingerprint or Face Unlock:** For added convenience, you can enable fingerprint or face unlock for App Lock. This will allow you to quickly unlock the apps without having to enter your password or PIN every time.
7. **Hide the App Lock Icon (Optional):** For extra security, you can hide the App Lock icon itself from the home screen. This will make it even harder for someone to find and disable the feature. To do this, go back to the App Lock settings and look for an option like “Hide App Lock icon” or “Hide entry point.” Enable this option.

**How to Access Hidden Apps:**

Once you’ve hidden apps using App Lock, they will no longer appear on your home screen or in the app drawer. To access them, follow these steps:

1. **Open the Phone Dialer:** Launch the phone dialer app on your Huawei phone.
2. **Enter the App Lock Access Code:** Type in the access code that you set up when you enabled the “Hide entry point” option in App Lock. The default code is usually #Password#, but you can customize it in the App Lock settings. For example, if you set the access code to 1234, you would dial #1234#.
3. **Hidden Apps Will Appear:** After entering the correct access code, the App Lock interface will open, displaying the hidden apps. You can then tap on any of the hidden apps to launch them.

**Important Considerations for App Lock:**

* **Password Security:** Choose a strong and memorable password or PIN for App Lock. Avoid using easily guessable combinations like your birthday or phone number.
* **Backup Recovery:** Make sure to set up a backup recovery method for your App Lock password, such as a security question or email address. This will help you regain access to your hidden apps if you forget your password.
* **EMUI Version:** The exact steps and options for App Lock may vary slightly depending on your EMUI version. However, the general principles remain the same.

### 2. Using PrivateSpace (For Dual SIM Phones)

Huawei’s PrivateSpace feature is a powerful tool that creates a completely separate and independent space on your phone, similar to having two separate devices in one. This is particularly useful for users who want to keep their personal and professional lives separate, or for those who share their phone with others but want to maintain privacy for certain apps and data.

**Steps to Set Up and Use PrivateSpace:**

1. **Open the Settings App:** Locate the “Settings” app on your Huawei phone.
2. **Navigate to Security & Privacy:** Scroll down and tap on “Security & Privacy.”
3. **Find PrivateSpace:** Look for “PrivateSpace” in the “Security & Privacy” menu. It might be under a submenu like “More security settings.”
4. **Create PrivateSpace:** Tap on “PrivateSpace” and follow the on-screen instructions to create your private space. You’ll be prompted to set a password or PIN for PrivateSpace, which will be different from your main space password. You can also use your fingerprint to unlock PrivateSpace.
5. **Switch Between MainSpace and PrivateSpace:** Once PrivateSpace is created, you can easily switch between your main space and private space from the Settings menu or by using a dedicated shortcut on your home screen (if you choose to create one during the setup process).
6. **Install Apps in PrivateSpace:** When you’re in PrivateSpace, you’ll have a clean slate. You can install the apps you want to keep private directly into PrivateSpace. These apps will only be visible and accessible when you’re in PrivateSpace.

**How PrivateSpace Hides Apps:**

PrivateSpace effectively hides apps by creating a completely separate environment. Apps installed in PrivateSpace are not visible or accessible from your main space, and vice versa. This provides a high level of privacy and security.

**Important Considerations for PrivateSpace:**

* **Storage Space:** Keep in mind that PrivateSpace will consume storage space on your phone. The more apps and data you store in PrivateSpace, the more storage it will use.
* **Password Security:** Choose a strong and unique password or PIN for PrivateSpace. This will prevent unauthorized access to your private apps and data.
* **Data Transfer:** You can transfer data between your main space and PrivateSpace, but be careful when doing so. Make sure you understand the implications of transferring data between the two spaces.
* **Resource Usage:** Running two separate spaces can consume more battery and processing power than running a single space. However, the impact is usually minimal.

### 3. Using Third-Party App Hiders (Use with Caution)

While Huawei’s built-in features are generally the safest and most reliable ways to hide apps, there are also numerous third-party app hiders available on the Google Play Store. These apps can offer additional features and customization options, but it’s important to exercise caution when using them.

**How Third-Party App Hiders Work:**

Third-party app hiders typically work by creating a virtual space or vault where you can move the apps you want to hide. These apps often disguise themselves as something else, such as a calculator or a utility app, to avoid detection. When you launch the disguised app, you’ll need to enter a password or PIN to access the hidden apps.

**Risks of Using Third-Party App Hiders:**

* **Security Risks:** Some third-party app hiders may contain malware or spyware that can compromise your privacy and security. Always download apps from reputable developers and check the reviews before installing them.
* **Battery Drain:** Some app hiders can consume a significant amount of battery power, especially if they’re constantly running in the background.
* **Compatibility Issues:** Third-party app hiders may not be fully compatible with your Huawei phone or EMUI version, which can lead to crashes or other issues.
* **Adware:** Many free app hiders are supported by intrusive ads, which can be annoying and disruptive.

**If You Choose to Use a Third-Party App Hider:**

If you decide to use a third-party app hider, follow these precautions:

1. **Download from Reputable Sources:** Only download app hiders from the Google Play Store, and choose apps from well-known and trusted developers.
2. **Check Reviews and Ratings:** Read the reviews and ratings carefully before installing an app hider. Pay attention to any negative feedback about security or performance issues.
3. **Grant Minimal Permissions:** When installing an app hider, grant it only the necessary permissions. Avoid granting permissions that seem unnecessary or excessive.
4. **Keep the App Updated:** Keep the app hider updated to the latest version to ensure that it has the latest security patches and bug fixes.
5. **Monitor Battery Usage:** Keep an eye on your battery usage to see if the app hider is consuming an excessive amount of power. If it is, consider uninstalling it.

**Examples of Third-Party App Hiders (Use at Your Own Risk):**

* **AppLock:** A popular app locker that also offers app hiding features.
* **Nova Launcher (with plugin):** Nova Launcher is a customizable launcher that can be used with plugins to hide apps.
* **Hide Apps – AppHider:** A dedicated app hiding app.

**Disclaimer:** I am providing these examples for informational purposes only. I do not endorse or recommend any specific third-party app hider. Use these apps at your own risk.

### 4. Disabling Apps (An Alternative to Hiding)

If you don’t want to completely hide an app but you don’t want it cluttering your home screen, you can disable it. Disabling an app prevents it from running in the background and removes it from the app drawer. However, the app will still be stored on your phone, and you can re-enable it at any time.

**Steps to Disable Apps on Huawei:**

1. **Open the Settings App:** Locate the “Settings” app on your Huawei phone.
2. **Navigate to Apps:** Scroll down and tap on “Apps.” Depending on your EMUI version, it might be labeled as “Apps & notifications” or simply “Applications.”
3. **Find the App:** Tap on “Apps” again to see a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll down and find the app you want to disable.
4. **Tap on the App:** Tap on the app’s name to open its app info page.
5. **Disable the App:** On the app info page, you should see a “Disable” button. Tap on it. If the app is a system app, you might see an “Uninstall updates” button instead. In this case, tap on “Uninstall updates” first, and then you should see the “Disable” button.
6. **Confirm Disabling:** You’ll be prompted to confirm that you want to disable the app. Tap on “Disable” to proceed.

**How Disabling Apps Affects Your Phone:**

* **App Removed from App Drawer:** The disabled app will no longer appear in your app drawer.
* **App Stops Running in Background:** The disabled app will stop running in the background, which can save battery power and free up system resources.
* **App Data Remains:** The app’s data will still be stored on your phone. If you re-enable the app, you’ll be able to access your data again.
* **System Apps:** You cannot disable all system apps. Some system apps are essential for the proper functioning of your phone.

**How to Re-enable Disabled Apps:**

To re-enable a disabled app, follow these steps:

1. **Open the Settings App:** Locate the “Settings” app on your Huawei phone.
2. **Navigate to Apps:** Scroll down and tap on “Apps.”
3. **Find the Disabled App:** Tap on “Apps” again to see a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Show system processes” or “Disabled”. This will display disabled apps
4. **Tap on the App:** Tap on the app’s name to open its app info page.
5. **Enable the App:** On the app info page, you should see an “Enable” button. Tap on it to re-enable the app.

### 5. Moving Apps to a Folder (Simple Organization)

While not technically hiding apps, moving them into folders can help declutter your home screen and make it easier to find the apps you need. This method is best for organizing apps that you use less frequently.

**Steps to Move Apps to a Folder:**

1. **Long-Press on an App:** On your home screen, long-press on the app you want to move to a folder.
2. **Drag the App onto Another App:** While holding down the app icon, drag it onto another app icon. This will automatically create a new folder containing both apps.
3. **Name the Folder:** The folder will be created with a default name. Tap on the folder to open it, and then tap on the folder name to rename it to something more descriptive.
4. **Add More Apps:** To add more apps to the folder, simply long-press on the app icon and drag it into the folder.

**Tips for Organizing Apps into Folders:**

* **Group Apps by Category:** Organize your apps into folders based on their category, such as “Social Media,” “Games,” “Utilities,” or “Productivity.”
* **Use Descriptive Folder Names:** Choose folder names that clearly indicate the type of apps they contain.
* **Create a “Hidden” Folder:** You can create a folder named “Utilities” or something similar and place apps you want to keep out of sight inside it. This isn’t true hiding, but it can help.

## Conclusion

Hiding apps on your Huawei phone can be a great way to improve your privacy, declutter your home screen, and enhance your overall user experience. Huawei offers several built-in features, such as App Lock and PrivateSpace, that provide secure and reliable ways to hide apps. While third-party app hiders are also available, it’s important to use them with caution and to prioritize your security and privacy. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively hide apps on your Huawei phone and enjoy a more organized and secure mobile experience. Remember to always choose the method that best suits your needs and to prioritize your security and privacy when using third-party apps.