Hide Apps on Google Pixel (App Drawer Settings)
On a Google Pixel, the built-in way to keep selected apps out of the regular app drawer is Android Private Space, available on Android 15 and later. Install apps separately inside that space, then lock it. You can also hide its drawer entry while locked, but this does not make the space impossible to find.
The best-kept secret is that Pixel’s standard app drawer does not offer a setting to hide individual apps. The option that works at the Android system level is called Private Space. It creates a separate, lockable area for apps and their data, rather than merely changing how the launcher displays icons.
That difference matters. A hidden icon is not the same as a protected app, and Private Space has specific limits. I recommend setting it up with a clear idea of what it does, then checking the locked and unlocked views yourself.
Plan the App-Hiding Method
Private Space is an Android feature that separates selected apps from your main profile. When it is locked, its apps are hidden from the normal app drawer and stopped. This can reduce casual visibility and app activity, but it does not erase evidence that Private Space exists or protect against every kind of device access.
Before you start, decide what you need to keep separate. You might want a few apps out of your everyday drawer, or you may want a separate profile with its own app data and lock. Private Space is designed for the latter. It is not a simple switch that hides an app already installed in your main profile.
Pixel Launcher’s regular app-drawer settings do not include a built-in command to hide individual apps. If you see advice to use a launcher setting, check that it applies to your launcher and software version. A launcher may change what appears on its screens, but that is not the same as Android’s separate-profile protection.
Keep the goal modest: Private Space can make selected apps less visible during ordinary use. It is not a promise of invisibility. Key takeaway: use Private Space when you want app and data separation, not just a different-looking drawer.
Check Android Version and Access Requirements
Android version determines whether your Pixel has Private Space. Google’s built-in feature requires Android 15 or later. Menu names and placement can vary by software version, so check the version first and use Settings search if a label does not match the steps below.
- Open Settings → About phone → Android version.
- Check that the device runs Android 15 or later.
- If it does not, check Settings → System → Software updates for an available update. Menu wording may vary.
If Private Space is available, open Settings → Security & privacy → Private space. You may need to authenticate with your current screen lock before you can configure it. If the item is missing, confirm the Android version and search Settings for “Private space.” Availability can also depend on device or management settings.
Think about the lock you want before setting up the space. You can choose the device lock or set a separate lock for Private Space, where that option is available. A separate lock adds another step when opening it, but it can also be forgotten. Next step: confirm the feature appears in Settings before planning which apps to install.
Set Up Private Space and Install Apps
Setting up Private Space creates a separate Android profile, not a folder in the main app drawer. Apps inside it need to be installed there, and they keep separate app data. Treat the space as a second installation area: adding an app there does not automatically transfer its existing account, files, or settings.
- Go to Settings → Security & privacy → Private space and authenticate.
- Follow the on-screen setup. Choose a separate lock or use the device lock, based on the choices shown.
- Open Private Space from the app drawer or its Settings page.
- Install the apps you want in the space. Use the installation option provided there, such as installing from Google Play.
- Sign in and configure each app inside Private Space. Check that it has the account and information you expect.
Do not assume that an app already on your phone has been moved. In many cases, you install a separate copy inside Private Space; the original app and its data remain in the main profile. For example, signing in to a messaging app inside the space does not necessarily carry over its main-profile messages or settings.
If you want to stop using the main-profile copy, review its data and account first. Removing or changing an app can affect information stored in that profile. Back up important data according to the app’s own instructions before making changes. Key takeaway: install and test the private copy before relying on it.
Verify Drawer Visibility and Lock Behavior
Verification means checking both states: Private Space locked and unlocked. When locked, its apps should not appear in the regular app drawer. After you unlock it, the space and its apps should be accessible again. This simple check helps catch setup mistakes, such as installing an app in the main profile by mistake.
After installing apps, return to the app drawer and check their visibility. Then open Private Space and confirm that the apps are listed there. Lock the space using the control shown in its interface, and check the drawer again.
If the option appears in your version, turn on Hide private space when it’s locked. This hides the Private Space entry in the app drawer while the space is locked. It does not remove Private Space, delete its apps, or conceal its existence from Settings.
Test notifications as well. Android stops apps in Private Space while it is locked, so they generally cannot send notifications in that state. Unlock the space to let its apps run again. This is a privacy benefit for some people and a drawback for anyone who expects time-sensitive alerts.
| What you check | Expected result |
|---|---|
| App installed only in Private Space | It appears in that space, not as a normal main-profile app |
| Private Space locked | Its apps are hidden from the regular drawer and stopped |
| Hide-entry option enabled | The Private Space entry is hidden from the drawer while locked |
| Private Space unlocked | You can access its apps and they can run |
If an app remains visible while the space is locked, check whether a separate copy is installed in your main profile. Next step: verify each copy and its account before removing or changing anything.
Choose the Right Setup for Your Apps
The right setup depends on whether you need separation, fewer visible icons, or regular notifications. Private Space is most useful when you accept separate app installations and the fact that apps stop while it is locked. The examples below are practical scenarios, not reports of specific people or devices.
A homeowner who wants a finance app out of the everyday drawer could install a separate copy in Private Space, set the lock, and check that the app works there. They should confirm account access and notification behavior before relying on that copy. The main-profile app, if left installed, may still be visible.
A small-business owner who needs frequent alerts from a work app may find the lock behavior inconvenient. When Private Space is locked, its apps generally cannot send notifications. Keeping that app in the main profile may better match the need for constant access, even if it is more visible.
| Need | Suitable approach | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Keep selected apps out of the drawer while locked | Install them in Private Space and lock it | Apps stop while locked |
| Keep getting alerts from an app | Keep the app available in the main profile | The app remains visible there |
| Change the launcher’s app list | A compatible third-party launcher may offer display controls | This is not equivalent to Android profile separation |
| Protect a separate app installation | Use Private Space with a lock | You must set up the app and data separately |
Third-party launchers and “vault” apps are not the same as Private Space. A launcher can change its own view, while a vault app may add another app and its own access or data considerations. Do not assume either one provides the same operating-system profile behavior. Key takeaway: match the method to your need for privacy, access, and alerts.
Understand Limits and Troubleshoot Problems
Private Space reduces casual visibility; it does not guarantee concealment. Someone with access to an unlocked device may be able to find the space through Settings or other device views. Device-management authority or forensic access also falls outside what this feature promises to prevent.
If you cannot find Private Space, check for Android 15 or later and search Settings. If an app appears in the main drawer after you set up the space, verify where that copy was installed. It may still be installed in your main profile.
If an app does not send alerts, check whether Private Space is locked. Locked apps are stopped, so notifications generally do not arrive until the space is unlocked. If an app’s data seems missing, check which profile contains the installation; the main and private profiles keep their app data separate.
If you choose a separate lock, store it in a way you can recover. Before deleting Private Space or changing its setup, read the device’s on-screen warning and back up any information you need. Bottom line: test access, data, and alerts before making the space part of a daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide one app using Pixel Launcher settings?
No. Pixel’s standard app-drawer settings do not provide a built-in option to hide individual apps. Use Private Space for Android-level separation.
What Android version do I need?
Private Space requires Android 15 or later. Check Settings → About phone → Android version.
Where is Private Space in Pixel Settings?
Look under Settings → Security & privacy → Private space. Wording or placement may vary, so search Settings if needed.
Does Private Space move my existing app and its data?
Do not assume so. Apps must be installed in Private Space separately, and their data is separate from the main profile.
Will apps in Private Space send notifications when it is locked?
Generally, no. Android stops those apps while the space is locked, so they usually cannot send notifications then.
Can I hide the Private Space entry in the app drawer?
If your software version offers Hide private space when it’s locked, enabling it hides the entry from the drawer while locked. It does not remove the space.
Can someone still find Private Space?
Yes. Hiding the drawer entry does not make the space undiscoverable in Settings. It is not guaranteed protection from someone with an unlocked device, device-management authority, or forensic access.
What should I do if an app still appears in my regular drawer?
Check whether that app also has a main-profile installation. A copy installed outside Private Space can remain visible there.
Are third-party vault apps the same as Private Space?
No. They may change an app’s appearance or add a separate vault, but they are not equivalent to Android’s separate-profile feature. Review their access and data practices carefully.
Can I use Private Space for apps that need constant alerts?
It may not suit that need. Locked apps generally stop and cannot send notifications until the space is unlocked.
For a straightforward setup, check your Android version, create Private Space in Settings, install the apps there, then lock it and test the drawer. Use the hide-entry option if it is available, while remembering that it only reduces visibility in the app drawer.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Richard Montclair. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
