OnePlus devices running OxygenOS 12 and later offer a built-in feature to hide apps, providing an extra layer of privacy for your personal information and applications. This functionality replaces the previous "Hidden Space" found in older versions of OxygenOS. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to effectively hide apps on your OnePlus phone:
1. Accessing the Hide Apps Feature:
- Open the Settings app on your OnePlus phone.
- Scroll down and tap on Privacy.
- Under the Privacy Protection section, locate and tap on Hide apps.
2. Setting Up Privacy and Access Codes:
- Upon accessing the "Hide apps" feature, you'll be prompted to set up a privacy password. This password acts as a unified passcode for various privacy functionalities on your device, including hidden apps· You can choose a 6-digit PIN, pattern, or a more complex password.
- Next, you'll need to create a separate access code specifically for accessing your hidden apps. This code must begin and end with the # (hash) symbol and can be up to 16 digits long. Remember this code carefully, as it will be required to view and manage your hidden apps.
3. Selecting Apps to Hide:
- Once you've set up the necessary codes, you'll see a list of all installed apps on your device.
- Toggle the switch next to the apps you want to hide. This will not immediately hide the apps; it simply selects them for hiding.
- After selecting the desired apps, tap on Turn on to confirm and hide them.
- You'll be prompted to enter your newly created access code to finalize the hiding process.
4. Accessing Hidden Apps:
- After successfully hiding your chosen apps, they will disappear from the app drawer and home screen. To access them, you'll need to use the pre-defined access code.
- Open the Phone app on your OnePlus phone.
- Dial the access code you created earlier, starting and ending with the # symbol (e·g·, #1234#).
- If the code is entered correctly, you'll be presented with a hidden space containing the apps you chose to hide.
5. Unhiding Apps:
- To unhide an app, follow the same steps as accessing hidden apps (Phone app > dial access code).
- Within the hidden space, locate the app you want to unhide and toggle the switch next to it.
- Tap Turn off to confirm, and the app will reappear in your app drawer and home screen.
Important Considerations:
- Remember, hiding apps doesn't uninstall them from your phone; they are simply not visible in the usual locations. You can still search for them by name in the Play Store or settings.
- This feature doesn't offer complete encryption or enhanced security for your apps. It primarily serves the purpose of keeping them hidden from prying eyes.
- If you forget your access code, you won't be able to access your hidden apps. It's crucial to remember your code or choose a secure method for recovery (e·g·, fingerprint unlock, if available).
By following these steps, you can effectively hide apps on your OnePlus phone running OxygenOS 12 and later versions. Remember to use this feature responsibly and with caution, and choose strong and memorable passwords for added security.
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