Hiding apps on your Samsung Galaxy J7 allows you to declutter your app drawer, maintain privacy, or restrict access to certain applications. The primary method involves using the device's native launcher settings, which is a straightforward process.
Primary Method: Hiding Apps via Launcher Settings
The simplest way to hide apps on your Galaxy J7 is directly through your home screen or app drawer settings. This method doesn't uninstall the app; it merely removes it from visibility in your app list.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Access App Drawer Settings: From your home screen, swipe up or down to open the App Drawer.
- Tap the Options Icon: Look for a three-dot vertical icon (⋮) or a "MENU" button, usually located in the top-right corner of the App Drawer. Tap on it.
- Navigate to Settings: From the drop-down menu that appears, tap on Settings. This will open the Home screen settings.
- Select Hide apps: Within the Home screen settings, scroll down and tap on Hide apps.
- Choose Applications to Hide: You will see a list of all installed applications. Tap on the apps you wish to hide. A checkmark or highlight will indicate selected apps.
- Apply Changes: Once you've selected all the desired apps, tap APPLY (or "DONE" depending on your software version) at the bottom of the screen to confirm your selection.
Quick Steps Table:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open App Drawer |
| 2 | Tap ⋮ (Options icon) in the top-right |
| 3 | Select Settings |
| 4 | Tap Hide apps |
| 5 | Select apps to hide |
| 6 | Tap APPLY (or DONE) |
After performing these steps, the selected applications will no longer appear in your App Drawer or on any home screen panels. They remain installed on your phone and can still receive notifications.
Unhiding Apps on Samsung Galaxy J7
If you need to access or make an app visible again, the process is just as simple:
- Repeat Steps 1-3: Go back to your App Drawer, tap the ⋮ icon, and then tap Settings.
- Open Hide apps: Tap on Hide apps again.
- Deselect Hidden Apps: You will see the list of apps, with the currently hidden ones marked. Tap on the apps you want to unhide to deselect them.
- Apply Changes: Tap APPLY or DONE to make them visible in your App Drawer once more.
Why Hide Apps? Practical Insights
Hiding apps serves several practical purposes:
- Privacy: Keep personal or sensitive applications out of sight from prying eyes.
- Decluttering: Simplify your app drawer by removing rarely used apps from immediate view, making it easier to find frequently used ones.
- Parental Control (Informal): Prevent children from easily accessing certain games or social media apps without fully restricting them.
- Security: While not a robust security measure, it adds a layer of obscurity, especially for apps that don't require strong authentication.
For enhanced security and robust privacy, consider using Samsung's Secure Folder feature if it's available on your specific Galaxy J7 model (availability may vary based on region and software version). Secure Folder creates a private, encrypted space on your phone where you can store apps, photos, and other data, protected by a separate password or biometric lock. You can learn more about Secure Folder from Samsung's official support pages.
Alternative Approaches
While the built-in hide apps feature is effective, other options exist:
- Third-Party Launchers: Many custom Android launchers (e.g., Nova Launcher, Action Launcher) offer advanced features, including the ability to hide apps with more granular control and often password protection.
- App Lockers: Dedicated app locker applications can password-protect individual apps, regardless of whether they are hidden or visible in the app drawer. These are useful for preventing unauthorized access to specific apps.
By utilizing the native "Hide apps" feature on your Samsung Galaxy J7, you can effectively manage the visibility of your applications, contributing to a more organized and private mobile experience.
