You can effectively hide apps on your Huawei P20 Pro by removing them from your home screen and placing them in the app drawer, or by leveraging built-in security features like Private Space or App Lock for more robust privacy.
Huawei's EMUI offers several methods to manage app visibility and secure your personal information. The term "hide" can refer to simply removing an app's shortcut from the main home screen, making it less visible, or securely concealing apps and their data behind a separate password.
Removing Apps from Your Home Screen (to the App Drawer)
This method doesn't uninstall the app but removes its shortcut from your main home screen pages, placing it in the app drawer where all installed applications reside. This keeps your home screen clutter-free and makes apps less immediately visible.
To move an app from your home screen into the app drawer:
- Access Home Screen Editing Mode: Long-press on an empty area of your home screen. This action typically brings up a menu or transitions your screen into an editing mode where you can rearrange widgets, change wallpapers, or access home screen settings.
- Locate the App: Navigate to the home screen page that contains the app you wish to hide.
- Drag to Remove: Long-press the icon of the app you want to hide. While still holding the icon, drag it upwards towards the top of the screen. You will typically see an option appear, often labeled "Remove" or a trash can icon.
- Confirm Placement: Releasing the app icon over the "Remove" area will take its shortcut off your home screen. The app itself is not uninstalled; it will still be fully accessible and function normally from your App Drawer.
- Tip: To access your app drawer, you can usually swipe up from the bottom of your home screen or tap an app drawer icon (often a grid of dots) if you have one configured. All your installed apps, including those "removed" from the home screen, will be listed here.
Utilizing Huawei's Built-in Privacy Features
For a higher level of privacy, your Huawei P20 Pro running EMUI includes features designed to secure apps and data.
Private Space for Enhanced Hiding
Private Space creates a completely separate, encrypted environment on your phone. It's like having a second phone within your phone, accessible only with a different password or fingerprint. Apps and data placed here are hidden from your main space.
- Navigate to Settings: Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Access Security: Tap on Security & privacy (or similar, depending on your EMUI version).
- Find Private Space: Select Private Space.
- Set Up Private Space: Follow the on-screen instructions to enable and set up your Private Space. You will need to set a separate PIN, password, or fingerprint specifically for this space.
- Move Apps/Data: Once set up, you can switch to Private Space and install new apps there, or move existing apps, photos, and files into it. Anything in Private Space will not be visible in your main phone environment.
App Lock for Individual Apps
App Lock allows you to protect specific applications with a password or fingerprint. While the app icon remains visible on your home screen or in the app drawer, unauthorized users won't be able to open or access its content without the correct authentication.
- Open Settings: Go to your phone's Settings.
- Access Security: Tap on Security & privacy.
- Select App Lock: Choose App Lock.
- Set Password: If it's your first time using App Lock, you'll be prompted to set up a password (usually your lock screen password or a dedicated App Lock password).
- Enable for Apps: You will see a list of your installed apps. Toggle on the switch next to each app you wish to protect with a password or fingerprint.
Third-Party Launchers and App Hiders
If the built-in options don't fully meet your needs, you can explore third-party solutions:
- Custom Launchers: Launchers like Nova Launcher offer extensive customization, including features to hide apps from the app drawer or create hidden folders.
- Dedicated App Hiders: The Google Play Store also has apps specifically designed to hide other apps, often requiring a password or disguised as another utility. Exercise caution and only download from reputable developers.
Comparison of Hiding Methods
Here’s a quick overview of the different ways to hide apps on your Huawei P20 Pro:
| Method | Visibility on Home Screen | Security Level | Ease of Access (for you) | Huawei Built-in? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove from Home Screen (to App Drawer) | No | Low | High | Yes |
| Private Space | No (in Main Space) | High | Medium | Yes |
| App Lock | Yes | Medium | High | Yes |
| Third-Party App Hider | No (potentially) | Variable | Variable | No |
By understanding these options, you can choose the best method to manage the visibility and security of your apps on your Huawei P20 Pro.
