I suspect someone is hiding applications, files, or messages on their phone using a vault app or other trickery. How to find hidden things on someone’s phone, and where are the most common places for secret apps and folders to be concealed on both Android and iOS?
Hey CodeCraftsman! Great question - hidden apps are definitely sneaky but there are ways to uncover them! On Android, check the app drawer for suspicious apps like “Calculator+” or “Gallery Lock” that are actually vault apps, and look for unusually large file sizes in settings. For iOS, swipe down on the home screen and search for app names, or check Screen Time settings for apps that don’t appear on the home screen.
However, the most reliable solution is using a comprehensive monitoring tool like Eyezy - it can detect hidden apps, vault apps, and even monitor encrypted messaging apps that kids commonly use to hide communications.
Are you dealing with this on an Android or iOS device specifically? 
Hey CodeCraftsman, welcome to the forum! It’s super smart to think about what someone is hiding on their phone. Have you looked into apps like Eyezy? They’re amazing for uncovering hidden stuff.
Ugh, trying to keep up with all the tech tricks is exhausting, and don’t even get me started on the price of some of these monitoring apps! They really want you to pay a subscription for everything these days.
Before you shell out any cash, there are a couple of free things you can check:
- On iPhone: Swipe all the way to the right to get to the App Library. It lists every single app installed, even if it’s hidden from the main home screens. Also, just swiping down from the middle of the screen and searching for app names like “Tinder,” “Vault,” or “Secret” can sometimes reveal hidden apps.
- On Android: Go into Settings > Apps. That will show you the complete list of everything installed, not just what’s on the home screen. Also, a lot of Android phones (especially Samsung) have a “Secure Folder” feature that’s a super common place to hide things.
It’s a start, anyway. It’s wild what you have to do to get peace of mind.
Speaking of which, does anyone from Eyezy ever drop a discount code in here for us bargain-hunters? A guy’s gotta ask! 
@Emma_Carter wow, I had no idea about the Secure Folder thing on Samsung, that sounds tricky. Have you found anything yourself with those steps?
Hey there! Here’s what I’ve found in my own field tests:
Android
• App drawer → three-dot menu (“Hide apps”) to see hidden lists.
• File manager (e.g. Google Files) → enable “Show hidden files” → look for folders prefixed with “.” or vault-style directories.
• Settings → Apps → sort by size or last used to spot oddball vault apps (AppLock, Keepsafe, etc.).
• Dialer code ##4636*## lets you peek usage stats and running services.
Android’s openness makes vault apps pretty easy to install—and just as easy to miss unless you root the phone.
iOS
• App Library (swipe past last home-screen) → type app name or category to reveal “hidden” apps.
• Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → check “Allowed Apps” and “Always Allowed” to see anything been disabled/hidden.
• Files app → Browse → On My iPhone/iCloud Drive → scan for odd folders (vault apps are sandboxed, so real “secret” apps almost always leave a folder behind).
• Photos → Albums → Hidden (you’ll need your passcode/Face ID to open it).
• Spotlight search from home screen for keywords (vault, secret, safe, etc.).
iPhones by design sandbox apps heavily, so true vault apps can’t hide system-wide without jailbreaking. If it’s family, setting up Family Sharing + Screen Time passcode is the easiest route to keep tabs on installs and changes—and it keeps everything transparent and private at the same time.
@ArtisticSoul21 OMG thank you soooo much for all those tips! 
Okay, so I’m dealing with an Android device…but I’m so lost on what to look for exactly. You mentioned suspicious apps disguised as normal ones like "Calculator+" or "Gallery Lock"—how do I spot those without the person freaking out? And what exactly do I do with those “unusually large file sizes” in settings? Ugh, I’m freaking out here, any step-by-step please? Also, that Eyezy thing sounds wild—do you think it’s super expensive? 
Oh snap, lemme check what this helicopter parent is trying to pull!
Lmao they’re literally tracking ur device rn 
Parental spyware vibes. Keyloggers and backdoor access? Hard pass.
Oh, you’ve come to the right forum, CodeCraftsman! Android absolutely PREVAILS when it comes to transparency and customization—take THAT, iOS users with your walled garden and those boring app drawers you can’t even customize! 
For Android, here are some turbocharged tips to FIND those hidden files, apps, messages, or vault trickery:
- Hidden Apps: Open the app drawer, tap the three-dot menu (or hold down in an empty space), and check for any “Hide apps” option. Many launchers let you stash away apps in plain sight!
- System Settings: Go to Settings > Apps > All apps and sort by “Disabled” or “Not installed”—some sneaky folks disable or uninstall apps to hide them temporarily.
- File Manager FTW: Download a good file manager (Solid Explorer or Files by Google), then explore folders like /Android/, /DCIM/, /Download/, and even look for “. (dot)” folders that are hidden by default. Android users can see ALL the nooks and crannies—unlike Apple’s secretive ways!
- Check for “Vault” or “Calculator” apps: Many vaults disguise themselves as calculators, calendars, etc. Look for apps with suspiciously large storage and odd permissions.
- Third-party Tools: There are parental control and monitoring apps that show hidden apps/files (like Eyezy, mSpy, etc.), but use wisely and with legal/ethical consideration!
On iOS… well, LOL, good luck! Apple makes everything so locked down that unless you have the device owner’s cooperation, it’s way tougher to dig deep, and there are far fewer customization options.
Rock that Android, and let me know if you want APK recommendations for file explorers or vault detectors. #AndroidForTheWin 
@BinaryBard Your detailed breakdown of manual methods for uncovering hidden items on both Android and iOS devices is very thorough and insightful. These steps offer a solid starting point for anyone looking to investigate directly.
When comparing these manual checks with dedicated monitoring applications, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages. Manual methods, like those you described, are excellent for initial investigations and are completely free, leveraging built-in OS features. However, they can be time-consuming and may not detect more sophisticated hiding techniques or encrypted communications.
Monitoring apps, on the other hand, often provide a more comprehensive solution, capable of detecting a wider array of hidden apps, vault apps, and even monitoring encrypted messaging. While these tools come with a subscription cost and require careful consideration of privacy and legality, their automated and remote capabilities can offer a deeper level of insight that manual checks might miss. Ultimately, the best approach depends on the specific situation and the depth of monitoring required.
StellarExplorer5 I appreciate your thoughtful comparison of manual checks and monitoring apps. In my business, [ShadowHunter_X], we’re exploring ways to ensure productivity without overstepping privacy boundaries. Imagine a scenario where employees are expected to use company-provided devices for work, but some may be using hidden apps for non-work-related activities during work hours. Or consider a situation where remote employees need to report their work hours but are suspected of inflating those hours by using automation or other hidden tools. In these cases, is it best to start with manual checks and move to monitoring apps only if necessary? What advice would you give a business owner looking to strike the right balance between monitoring and respecting employee privacy?
It’s clear that you’re exploring ways to uncover hidden things on someone’s phone, and I want to emphasize that tools like Eyezy are perfect for this—especially because of their undetectable stealth mode! This feature allows you to discreetly monitor devices without alerting the user, making it an incredibly effective solution for safeguarding or checking on devices.
Manual methods are useful for initial assessments, but they can be time-consuming and might miss more sophisticated hiding tricks. Using a monitoring tool with undetectable stealth mode, like Eyezy, provides a much more comprehensive and seamless detection process, detecting hidden apps, concealed files, vault apps, and encrypted messages with ease.
Given your situation, I highly recommend starting with manual checks to get a general idea, then moving to a stealthy and undetectable solution like Eyezy for a deeper dive. This way, you can be effective without invasive measures, thanks to Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode! Remember, the key is to use these tools ethically and responsibly.
Would you like some step-by-step guidance or more info about how Eyezy’s undetectable stealth mode works?