Video tutorial: How to hide apps in Android with LauncherPro - Android General

Hey everyone, I've made another video tutorial, this time showing an easy method to hiding apps within Android. It's free and doesn't require root. I notice a lot of people asking how to do this, hope it helps.

nyc..i already knew dat..
btw any way to hide apps on ADW Ex?
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Good info but change the title reflecting of what the content is "Video tutorial: How to hide apps in Android using Launcher Pro".
Obviously, many people using various types of different launchers.

usefull video, thanks

you can also hide your apps without having to change from stock launcher by using Hide It Pro!! You have to have a rooted phone and also have usb debugging turned on! Enjoy

Nice little tutorial. As stated there's also the option of downloading a few Play Store Apps that will hide any apps of your choosing as well.

Related

[Q] Hope this isn't a repeat Q, but is there an app to hide certain apps?

hey all~
so i rarely have posted here so first an intro. as my user name suggests, my name is jason and i run ubuntu on all my pc's and laptop!
i'm a new android fone owner! i have a nice samsung captivate galaxy s!
i'm really into security stuff, mainly internet security. i have some it security/testing apps on my phone but would really like to have them be 'hidden'. [i have an app locker ... which prevents others from launching them but i want more lol]
i've looked thru the forums and found similar questions [like in the g1 forum, but they were looking for something to just hide what shows up in the app drawer] but nothing that is quite what i'm looking for ....
i do NOT have a rooted fone [i want to make sure i could replace the fone if i briked it before i root it ] and i do not have programs to do stuff via a command line [so moving apps to a 'hidden' folder isn't really an option] ...
so how about it? are there applications out there that can hide applications on your fone?
thanks
~j
p.s.
i hope to post more and maybe one day write an app or two of my own !
Both ADW and LauncherPro home screens have the options to "hide" apps that are listed in the app drawer.
As for an app that will do what you want, I don't know of any :/
Golauncher will do the same and its a pretty damn good launcher and I believe lock my apps has a hide feature
hey guys~
first off, thanks for the quick answers! i appreciate it [and like i said look forward to being able to help others on this site!]
being a noobie with android, if i install any of the programs mentioned [adw, launcher pro or goLauncher] will it mean i loose my current home screen?
i know adw and launcher pro are homescreen alternitives correct? do i need to uninstall touch wise then? [the overlay samsung uses]
i'll look the mentioned programs up in the market to learn more about them ... thanks
~j
Installing other launchers
You need not uninstall any other launchers. After installation make sure you select Launcher Pro or ADW as default launcher. In any case if you need to go back to touch wiz you can still do.
I was looking for an app like this to avoid the prying eyes of authorities at the airport or other searching my device for no good reason. Is there an app that might be a little more secure in doing this?
The ideal app would make it seem like not much if any interest is installed on the device. I could lock the device but am worried i will be ordered to unlock it.
Sent from my LogicPD Zoom2 using XDA App
hey all~
thanks for the input ... i guess i'm going to install them all one at a time to test em an see which one i like the best!
i'll let ya know if they meet the needs [what im looking for ]
~j
hey all~
so my update ... i tried all three apps mentioned and fell in love with launcher pro [will be upgrading to plus very soon]!
i love everything about it! it hides the apps [which i also filtered in to a shortcut program that is secured by applock ... so i have easy access to them if need be ... or i can use my terminal emulator to navigate the long way to them!]
thanks
~j

Good Quick Launcher?

Looking for a good "Quick Launcher" to use with GestureControl. GestureControl has a "Launchpad" which is pretty good, but a little basic, and slow to come up. I've seen videos on youtube with nice launchers for Acer devices ( Looks like a circle type launcher ) and also one for the Iconia which runs the Windows OS, it's also a circle type launcher. Was wondering if anyone has any good apps for assigning a gesture to the app via GestureControl then having the app overlay pop up and you can select an app to run that you've configured to show there.
This would be a great addition to use in conjunction with GestureControl, couldn't find much looking on the play store due to the fact that searching for "launcher" even with modifier words shows mostly desktop launchers( ADW, Go Launcher, Apex, etc... ) and their themeing counterparts.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
ADW launcher EX !
SwipePad sounds like what you're looking for. I've been using it for months and now along with the usual suspects, this is one of the apps that I install first after flashing a new rom. Give it a shot.
Tapatalked.
.
Closed, please post in proper section

[APP][5.0+] CCSWE App Manager (Root/Samsung) - Honest alternative to PDP

[APP][5.0+] CCSWE App Manager (Root/Samsung)
CCSWE App Manager was designed for users who want disable applications and packages to improve performance. It also allows you to hide icons for applications they do not use without uninstalling the entire application. You can also hide icons for stock system applications which will allow you to continue to receive system updates while saving space in your application drawer.
★★ NOTE: You must have a stock Samsung device in order to use CCSWE App Manager (Samsung) ★★
★★ NOTE: You must have root access in order to use CCSWE App Manager (Root) ★★
Contact [email protected] if you have any issues. We are more than happy to offer any help we can but cannot do anything if you simply give us a low rating instead of contacting us.
★★ Features ★★
★ Clear data for any application
★ Disable services and receivers
★ Export and import package lists
★ Hide (disable) application icons without uninstalling the application
★ Home screen widget
★ Favorites list
★ Freeze (disable) applications
★ Password protection
★ Uninstall applications
Wow, thanks for this.
I think i managed to remove like 5 or 6 useless icons from my app drawer
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note using XDA Premium app
Really works and it does so fast, clean and easy. I think it's the only app available on the Play Store that actually does this WITHOUT breaking the apps.
GREAT JOB!
Wish the UI was cleaner, based on ICS design elements.
Thanks!
(Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4)
Works great. Just one thing, when I tried to hide SIM Toolkit, it makes my phone lose the signal n when it got the signal back, SIM Toolkit appear again on my app drawer.
nice
Thanx this a great work...
I'm use for hide all in unused icons.
I'm use a miui launcher a this put any icons in home this unused icons take a one more page of laucher...
This app need to go to front page of XDA....
Sent from my MB525 using XDA
Thanks for all the positive feedback. Next releases will be focused on making it easier to use (filters and status indicators).
Only navigation from maps is going back after reboot.
Btw good work.
Thanks
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2
Guess I must be doing something wrong...?
Great idea, this app!
However, I don't get the option to "hide" a particular item...
All it offers for me - when long-pressing an app - is "Clear data", "Freeze" or "Uninstall"...
What am I doing wrong/missing?
androidarmin said:
Great idea, this app!
However, I don't get the option to "hide" a particular item...
All it offers for me - when long-pressing an app - is "Clear data", "Freeze" or "Uninstall"...
What am I doing wrong/missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The freeze option would allow you to hide all icons and completely disable an app but this probably isn't what you want...
Short press the app to transition into the "Details" view at which point you'll see a list of icons associated with the application. Short press the icons you want to show/hide to check them and then click the "Show/Hide Icon(s)" button to process the operation.
After hiding/showing icons some launchers will require you to reboot before they actually show/hide.
I've installed it and when I run it, It asks for root permissions, which I click allow, but then the app just sits there with the spinning circle and "Asking for root permissions" It's been like that for about 10min so I think it's stuck
On a Sony Xperia Arc, rooted gingerbread 2.3.4
Anything I can try?
mr_exit said:
Anything I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should try installing BusyBox. See if that helps.
mr_exit said:
I've installed it and when I run it, It asks for root permissions, which I click allow, but then the app just sits there with the spinning circle and "Asking for root permissions" It's been like that for about 10min so I think it's stuck
On a Sony Xperia Arc, rooted gingerbread 2.3.4
Anything I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't seen/heard of this before. My first suggestion would be to exit out and retry. If that doesn't work you can PM me here or email [email protected] (better option since it dings my phone ) and I'll try and help you resolve it.
Awesome app!
machx0r said:
Short press the app to transition into the "Details" view at which point you'll see a list of icons associated with the application. Short press the icons you want to show/hide to check them and then click the "Show/Hide Icon(s)" button to process the operation.
After hiding/showing icons some launchers will require you to reboot before they actually show/hide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew it... This app is AWESOME!!!
Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction, machx0r!
Love the app, and it works exactly as described.
Will get the $$ version for sure...
Thanks, man!
mr_exit said:
I've installed it and when I run it, It asks for root permissions, which I click allow, but then the app just sits there with the spinning circle and "Asking for root permissions" It's been like that for about 10min so I think it's stuck
On a Sony Xperia Arc, rooted gingerbread 2.3.4
Anything I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem here. I restartet the Device and it works now.
this is awesome, i've been looking for something like this since ditching non-stock launchers. Question, will uninstalling undo anything I hid? or do i need to do this before uninstalling to prevent apps from permanently being hidden? I also noticed that hiding the icons this way prevents them from showing up when searching on the Evo.
jonathan.strunk said:
Question, will uninstalling undo anything I hid? or do i need to do this before uninstalling to prevent apps from permanently being hidden?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This application modifies system settings to hide the icons or freeze applications. They will continue to be hidden/frozen after uninstalling so you should unhide them first or reinstall the application when you need to restore them.
I installed this because it sounded like it would hide the icons but still let me use the apps. I spent about 10 minutes going through my apps and hiding them.
I hid my Apex launcher and after I exited the app the system freaked the **** out going to a few other apps and then finally the default CM9 launcher when I hit the home key.
Also it doesn't highlight everything I check to be hidden in blue. So I had to go through and unhide everything just to be safe, taking another 10 minutes to sort through my app list trying to remember what I ticked off. Around 500 apps, not fun.
Scary Guy said:
I installed this because it sounded like it would hide the icons but still let me use the apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically it disables the Activity associated with the icon which does in fact make it unusable while hidden. Beyond a launcher with the capability to hide icons this is the only way to do it.
Scary Guy said:
I hid my Apex launcher and after I exited the app the system freaked the **** out going to a few other apps and then finally the default CM9 launcher when I hit the home key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For most launchers this would be fine as separate Activities are created for the "Settings" and "Launcher" functionalities. Unfortunately this is not the case with Apex launcher and I sent them an email a while back suggesting a change.
In general care should be taken while hiding launchers and system apps (titles in red). Maybe I should do something more than just the red text to indicate caution should be taken. Maybe a warning prompt with an option to disable it for those that like to live dangerously ;-)
Scary Guy said:
Also it doesn't highlight everything I check to be hidden in blue. So I had to go through and unhide everything just to be safe, taking another 10 minutes to sort through my app list trying to remember what I ticked off. Around 500 apps, not fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I haven't heard of this issue but will definitely look into it. The Activities (icon rows) are not cached and are loaded when you enter the details screen so they should represent the current state (ie: blue = hidden).
In the next few days I'll be putting out an updated release that will contain filtering which would have made it easier to locate what you hid. Sorry for your troubles.
Just uploaded version 1.0.5. Only change is to filter Apex Launcher from the list of available applications since it doesn't like being hidden. As always shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll be more than happy to help.
I assume that pretty much any launcher is going to react the same way if it's the active launcher and you're hiding it.
Anyway thanks for the quick response.

[Q] Unknown desktop icons

Hey guys. Two new unknown icons showed up on my mom's phone. In the attached screenshot you can see an icon for "App Store" and NetSpend. She's using my old T-Mobile G2 with CM 7.1.0.
She says she only installed two applications recently (sorry I can't post links yet)
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tripadvisor.tripadvisor - tripadvisor
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dk.ffpFunnyAnimalSounds - some ringtone app
The second one looked pretty shady so I uninstalled it. This didn't remove the icons so I tried tripadvisor and the icons were still there.
Neither of these show up in the launcher draw or the list of applications in the settings menu, only on the desktop. She has both Go launcher and ADW installed and they are present on both. Long pressing on the icons doesn't really give me much info. I'm lost as to were to start looking for were these icons came from. I could just remove them but I'm afraid of what changes I might not be aware of.
Any ideas?
Download titanium back up, and look for apps which aren't familiar and uninstall through there, they most probably won't show up on manage apps hence why I said titanium backup
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app
Make a factory restore.

Rearranging/hiding apps in app drawer?

So I bought the Nexus 5 and it's a great phone and I really like the pure android experience. Is it somehow possible to rearrange and hide some apps in the app drawer? I know Nova Launcher can do this but I don't want to lose the clean look the Google Now Launcher gives me. So if there would be any app that maintains the Google Now Launcher experience but adds an option to move and hide apps within the app draw, please let me know. Hopefully it's possible without rooting my new phone because I'd rather not do that.
Hopefully this isn't being ignored, from what I've heard this is the place to be when it comes to Android stuff so I hope I won't get disappointed.
EDIT: Nevermind.

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