Hidden Apps and Vaults: How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones (2024)

The Bark Blog

Hidden Apps and Vaults: How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones (1)Internet Safety Tips

Haley Zapal | October 20, 2018

Hidden Apps and Vaults: How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones (2)

**This blog post was updated on August 8, 2024.**

Key takeaways from this blog post:

  • Kids use vault apps to conceal inappropriate or unauthorized activities from parents.
  • To find hidden apps, check for repeat apps, like multiple calculators, or for apps with unusual names or icons.
  • Reviewing app settings, permissions, and storage can help uncover hidden applications.
  • Using parental control software, like the Bark, can provide additional monitoring and alert you to hidden apps.
  • Regularly discussing online behavior and device use with your child helps maintain open communication and address potential issues

Have you heard about hidden apps? They’re also called vault apps, and they can be used on cell phones to hide things like photos, files and even other apps! So, why would a kid have a vault app? They’re usually used in situations when someone like a parent or guardian is doing spot-checks for anything out of the ordinary. Because many vault apps look completely harmless — a lot are designed to look like calculators — they often get overlooked.

If this worries you, we understand completely, especially if you’re concerned about activities like sexting or sending nudes. Here’s how to find out if your kid may have a vault app, as well as what you can do to help prevent them.

  • Having multiple apps of the same type, like two calculators, installed on their phone
  • Turning off a device or hiding the screen when you enter a room or get close
  • Refusing to hand over passwords or let you look through their phones
  • Or, being very willing to hand over their phone (knowing you probably won’t look for vault apps)

How to Search for Hidden Apps

If you haven’t already set up parental controls on your kid’s devices, you may want to see if they have any of these hidden apps already on their phones first. Visit the App Store on their phone and type in “vault app” or “hide photos” or “secret app.” If any of them have “OPEN” next to them (instead of “GET”), it means the app has already been installed on their phone.

If you discover that any of those hidden apps are installed, you can try to open them to see what’s hidden there, or you can have a conversation with your child about them later.

Below are a few popular vault apps. However, these hidden apps are constantly changing, and may only be available for a short time and are then taken off the market, making them even harder to discover.

  • AppLock
  • Vault
  • Vaulty
  • SpyCalc
  • Hide It Pro
  • CoverMe
  • Secret Photo Vault
  • Secret Calculator
  • Calculator Photo Vault

Ways to Prevent These Types of Apps

The first step is to use Bark as an online safety service. We’ll send you alerts if your child downloads risky apps, including vault apps. You can also see all the apps your kid has already downloaded.

For iOS users with the Apple Family Sharing Plan, you can enable the Ask to Buy feature for your kid. That way when a teen goes to purchase or download an app, you can decide whether it’s okay.

Android users do the same thing with parental controls in the Google Play store. This lets you require a password for app downloads.

Because hidden apps tend to be used to hide inappropriate content, it’s important to talk with your kid about them. Even if your child wants one just for security (like for a banking app or a journal), it still may not be a good idea. Consider editing your tech contract to make sure your child knows they’re not allowed.

On a more serious note, if you suspect your kid may be hiding nudes or sexting, be aware that there may be legal consequences if they’re storing them in a vault app — even if they received them with consent.

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Hidden Apps and Vaults: How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones (6)

Hidden Apps and Vaults: How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones (2024)

FAQs

Hidden Apps and Vaults: How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones? ›

Applocker is an application that acts as a vault for other applications. Kids can hide their apps using Applocker. When parents see their phone, they will see the Applocker application but need a PIN code to access it. Android devices even have a built-in feature to hide applications.

How do people hide stuff on their phones? ›

One clever way cheaters hide their activities on their phones is by changing the names and icons of apps. By renaming messaging apps to something inconspicuous like “System Update” or swapping out the original icon with a generic one, it becomes easier to conceal conversations from prying eyes.

How do I find hidden vault apps? ›

Kids use vault apps to conceal inappropriate or unauthorized activities from parents. To find hidden apps, check for repeat apps, like multiple calculators, or for apps with unusual names or icons. Reviewing app settings, permissions, and storage can help uncover hidden applications.

Can we hide apps in vault app? ›

The DU Privacy Vault App

It's an excellent alternative for Android users willing to secure their personal data. The application is capable of hiding apps from the drawer and locking specific files with ease.

Can parental control see hidden apps? ›

Find Hidden Apps on Android Using Parental Control App

There is another easy way to find hidden apps in Android phones: parental control apps. If you want to find out the hidden apps in your child's phone and keep them safe, you may use a parental control app designed to protect children.

Where do cheaters hide stuff on their phone? ›

FAQs about Free Cheating Apps

They might use encrypted messaging apps or social media accounts under fake names. They could store incriminating photos or files in hidden folders, apps with password protection, or within the Notes app under a locked note.

Where do kids hide stuff on their phones? ›

Applocker is an application available on both Android and iOS. Applocker is an application that acts as a vault for other applications. Kids can hide their apps using Applocker. When parents see their phone, they will see the Applocker application but need a PIN code to access it.

How can you tell if someone has a secret app? ›

The Android launcher determines the options in the tray.
  • Tap the three-dot menu at the top of the app drawer.
  • Tap Hide apps.
  • The list of apps that are hidden displays. If this screen is blank or the Hide apps option is missing, then no apps are hidden.
Jan 15, 2024

What are disguised apps? ›

They create a password-protected vault where you can store anything from photos and videos to text messages and even apps. They then conceal the fact that they're a hiding app by camouflaging as a calculator, flashlight, camera, or any other utility app, or by simply being inconspicuous.

Does vault hide messages? ›

Like similar programs, Vault-Hide SMS, Pics & Videos successfully converts video and images into secure files and locks them with your custom password; however, unlike some of its competitors, this program can also hide Facebook messages, contacts, and more.

How to disguise an app as something else? ›

Part 2: 6 Proven Ways to Hide Apps on Android
  1. Built-in Settings (on different brands) Most Android devices can hide apps from the home screen settings. ...
  2. Android Launcher Apps. Another efficient way to hide apps is to use a launcher app. ...
  3. Secure Folder. ...
  4. Rename Apps. ...
  5. Disable Apps. ...
  6. Create Guest Account or Secret Mode.

Which app can I use to hide other apps? ›

Best apps to hide applications for android
  • Vault.
  • Nova Launcher.
  • Keepsafe Photo Vault.
  • Apex Launcher.
  • App Hider.
  • Nova Launcher Prime.
  • C Launcher.
  • Vaulty.

What are the names of some hidden apps? ›

They work by creating a hidden folder or a separate user account that is password-protected and cannot be accessed without specific pin codes or gestures to open the app. Some of the most popular hidden apps and vault apps include Calculator Vault, KeepSafe, and Hide It Pro.

What parental control app lets you see messages? ›

Here's our top 9:
  • Canopy – Best Text Monitoring App Overall.
  • Famisafe – Best for Detecting Keywords.
  • mSpy – Best for Real-Time.
  • Bark – Best for Detecting Bullying.
  • Qustodio – Best For Managing Who Your Kid Texts.
  • Eyezy – Best for Seeing Deleted Messages.
  • Mobile Spy – Best for Seeing Social Media Activity.
May 1, 2023

How do I hide apps on my child's phone? ›

Follow these steps:
  1. Open Play Store on your kid's device.
  2. Tap Menu.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Select Parental Controls.
  5. Tap the toggle at the top right to the “on” position.
  6. Set up a PIN-code. You need it to prevent your child from tweaking the settings.
  7. Select Apps&Games and set the needed restrictions.

How do I hide content on my phone? ›

How to hide the content of all messages in Android
  1. Open Settings on your Samsung Galaxy. ...
  2. Go to Notifications. ...
  3. Tap Lock screen notifications. ...
  4. Select Hide content. ...
  5. Disable the Show content when unlocked switch. ...
  6. Launch Settings on your Android device. ...
  7. Head to Notifications. ...
  8. Tap Notifications on lock screen.
May 31, 2024

How do you know if someone is hiding something on their phone? ›

They become overly protective of their phone. They may keep it hidden from you, password-protect it, or quickly switch screens when you approach. They are secretive about their phone activities. They may lie about who they are talking to or texting, or they may refuse to tell you what they are doing on their phone.

How to hide your phone when cheating? ›

During the test, simply place the phone between your thighs, or camouflage it in your pencil case. You can also text yourself your notes/answers before the exam, or text a friend if you need help during the exam. Remember to remove keypad tones and put your phone on silent, it's a giveaway.

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