Android Application Visibility

App List

The home page on the Android phone is an overlay. Most overlays are typically customized by the manufacturer in collaboration with the carrier. The overlay provides a quick way to access the most used apps, without having to scroll through the entire list. The rest of your apps are made visible once you click on the "Applications" icon in the bottom left corner. It is the one that looks like a tiny square with dots. Drag your finger across the screen to choose a blank page, then tap "Applications." Hold your finger down on an app to transfer it to that page.

Manage Apps

Open "Manage Applications" for a more comprehensive list of your applications. This screen shows you which apps came from the market, saved on the SD card or currently running in the background. Apps installed by directly downloading apk files are also visible here. Tap "Downloaded" and market apps are organized in alphabetical order. Tapping "All" displays every app, even those you didn't realize you had. Tapping an app also allows you to clear default settings, clear its cache or uninstall it completely.

App Hiders

This type of app is designed to obscure private information from public view. Photos and videos can be hidden easily, but to hide apps the phone needs to be rooted. If you suspect apps are being hidden by another app, you may not be able to determine which one it is. Some of the more sophisticated versions install themselves as a "Volume Slider" or "Picture Viewer" to hide its true function. In addition to entering a password, you might have to press and hold a specific spot just to launch it.

App Reinstallation

It only takes about two taps to uninstall an app, so it is possible to uninstall it by accident. Tap "Market" and then the magnifying glass to search for the missing app. If it was a previous purchase, you'll find it quickly in the Menu under "My Apps." Install the app the same way you did previously and it will be shown under Applications along with all the others.