Hidden apps mainly cause the problem of apps disappearing from your home screen. If you cannot see the app in the App Drawer or on your Home Screen, the apps are hidden on your phone. Thus, you have to unhide the apps to make them visible again. Here's how to do it:
- Accessing Settings: Your first step to finding and unbinding the hidden apps is accessing your phone's settings. To do this, open the "⚙️" icon on your mobile device to access Settings.
- Locating the Home Screen Settings: Once inside the Settings window, scroll down to look for the "Home screen" settings. That is the next step towards finding what's causing your apps to vanish from the home screen.
- Finding the Hidden Apps Settings: After opening the "Home screen" settings, slide down slowly until you find "Hide apps on Home and Apps screens." In this segment, you'll find the apps not visible on your home and apps screens.
- Unhiding the Apps: In the "Hide apps on Home and Apps screens" settings, you'll see all the apps hidden on your phone at the top. Ensure to unhide these apps to make them again visible on your home screen.
- Finalizing the Changes: Once you've unhid the apps you'd like to appear on your home screen, don't forget to finalize the changes by tapping the "Done" button. This action will unhide your chosen apps, and they will again appear on the Home Screen and in the App Drawer.
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Checking If an App is Uninstalled
Another common reason apps disappear from the home screen is that you may have accidentally uninstalled them. The best and only way to confirm this is by checking the Play Store; here's the sequential plan:
- Launching the Google Play Store: Open the Google Play Store on your phone. Look for the search box at the interface; this is your first tool for hunting down the possibly uninstalled app.
- Using the Search Box: Take advantage of the seized search box by keying in the name of the installed app you're looking for. That will generate a list of apps correlated with the app's name you've typed.
- Identifying the App's State: Now look closely; if you see an "Install" option for that app, it's safe to say that the specific app is not currently installed on your phone. Conversely, if an "Open" option is visible, it is an unmistakable indication that the app is present on your phone but possibly hidden.
- Dealing With the Outcome: Finally, act appropriately once you have identified whether the app is installed on your phone. If the app is not installed, opt to reinstall it. However, if the option indicates "Open," it means the app is on your phone, and you may want to recheck your home screen or unhide it if necessary.
Searching for the App
Sometimes, an app may still be present in your device but nestled away somewhere less obvious. It could be within app folders or just misplaced. In such a case, resort to the device's search feature to locate it.
- Using the Phone's Search Feature: If the app is on your phone and you can't find it, harness the help of the search box to locate it. A search box is an excellent tool on your device that helps find installed apps quickly and efficiently. Input the app's name in the search box; if it is indeed on your phone, it should appear in the results.
- Checking App Folders: Your device's UI allows you to create folders to organize your apps and games better. The missing app might be inside one of these app folders, and that's why you're unable to find it in the app drawer. Diligently check all the app folders on your phone and look for the missing app. Once you spot the elusive app, you can drag it out of the folder for easier access in the future.
Dealing with Third-Party Skins or Launchers
Often, third-party skins or launchers may cause apps to get misplaced or hidden. While adding aesthetic value to your device, these skins possess features that can change an app's icon or even rename it. That can complicate the location of specific apps. In such situations, you should take drastic measures, such as uninstalling the skin or launcher.
- Uninstalling the Skin or Launcher: Since you cannot pinpoint which app has its name or icon changed, you can decide to remove the third-party skin or launcher from your phone altogether. That guarantees that any app hidden or disguised due to the skin or launcher gets restored to its original state.
- Using the Default System Launcher: Upon successful uninstallation of the third-party skin or launcher, the default system launcher will load up. That is the time to look for the app once more. It is easier to locate the app using this system launcher due to its straightforward layout and lack of visual modifications.
Changing the Default Launcher App
If uninstalling doesn't help, consider changing your default launcher app. That is ideal if a recent update to your existing launcher app is causing issues with app visibility. Go into your Settings app and select 'Apps.' From there, navigate to 'Choose default apps,' tap 'Home app,' and pick a different launcher from the screen that follows. This switch could resolve your app disappearance issue.
