If your app drawer feels cluttered with suggested apps you did not open yourself, you can easily clean it up. Learning how to hide recently used apps on Android is a simple process that involves changing one main setting, though finding it can be tricky depending on your specific phone. This guide will show you the standard method, help you locate the setting on any device, and explain other ways to control what appears on your screen for a simpler experience.
How to Hide Recently Used App Suggestions
The most common and direct way to turn off app suggestions is through a setting in your phone’s recent apps overview screen. This is the panel you see when you switch between your open applications.
The exact name of the option varies, but the general path is almost always the same. You can usually complete this task in just a few seconds.
- Open the Recent Apps screen. On most phones, you do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pausing, or by tapping the square or line icon at the bottom.
- Look at the top of this screen, often in the top right corner, for a button with three dots or a gear icon. This is the settings menu for the recent apps view.
- Tap that button. In the menu that appears, look for an option called “Show Recommended Apps,” “Suggested Apps,” or something very similar.
- Tap the toggle or checkbox next to that option to turn it OFF. The suggestions row in your app drawer should disappear immediately.
If the Basic Steps Do Not Work
You might not see the three-dot menu or the “Recommended Apps” option where it is supposed to be. This is not an error on your part.
Android phones from different manufacturers like Samsung, Google, or OnePlus often move these settings to different places in their software. Your phone’s interface, often called a “skin” or “UI,” changes the location. The next section will help you navigate this.
Find the Right Setting on Your Android Phone
Because Android is not the same on every device, you need to know where to look based on your brand. The feature might be controlled by the “launcher,” which is the software for your home screen and app drawer.
On Samsung Galaxy Phones (One UI)
Samsung places this control in its system settings, not always in the recent apps menu. Do not spend a long time looking for the three dots if you have a Samsung phone.
Instead, open your main phone Settings. Then, go to either “Home Screen” or “Advanced Features.” Search for an option named “Hide suggestions on Home and Apps screen” or “Suggestions.” Toggle this off to remove the recently used apps row from your app drawer.
On Google Pixel Phones (Stock Android)
Google’s own phones usually follow the standard method perfectly. The setting is reliably found in the recent apps overview menu.
Open your recent apps, tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner, and select “Show Recommended Apps” to disable it. This is the most straightforward experience.
On Other Android Phones (OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc.)
For other brands, you may need to dig a little deeper. A good first place to check is in your main Settings app under categories like “Home Screen & Lock Screen,” “Display,” or “Apps & Notifications.”
Look for any subsection related to your “Launcher” or “App drawer.” Within those menus, you should find a toggle for app predictions, suggestions, or recently used apps. The naming is not consistent, so you may need to explore a bit.
Two Different Kinds of “Recent” Apps
This is a critical point many guides miss. There is a big difference between the “suggested apps” you see in your app drawer and the “recent apps list” you see when you multitask.
Turning off “Show Recommended Apps” only hides the suggestion row. It does not clear or hide the list of apps you have actually used recently, which appears when you open the recent apps overview to switch between them.
Those apps remain visible in that multitasking view because they are likely still running in the background. If your goal is a completely clean slate, you need to manage that list separately.
Clearing Your Recent Apps List
To temporarily wipe the recent apps overview screen, you must manually clear it. This action does not uninstall apps or delete data. It simply removes their preview cards from the multitasking view.
Open the recent apps screen again. Here, you will see cards or windows for each app you have open. You can swipe each card up or to the side to remove it individually.
To remove them all at once, look for a button that says “Clear all.” This button is usually at the bottom or the top of the list of apps. Tap it, and the overview screen will be empty. Remember, this list will repopulate the moment you start using apps again.
Using a Custom Launcher for Total Control
If your phone’s built-in options are limited or you want more power over your home screen’s look and feel, a third-party launcher is the best solution. A launcher is an app that replaces your default home screen and app drawer.
Popular launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Lawnchair offer deep customization. Once installed and set as your default launcher, you can dive into their settings.
You will almost always find an option to completely disable any form of app predictions or suggestion rows in the app drawer. This gives you a static, always-alphabetical list of your apps, which many users prefer for its simplicity and consistency.
Why Your Phone Suggests Recently Used Apps
Understanding why this feature exists can help you decide if you want to keep it on or off. Your phone is not trying to annoy you.
This is a convenience feature powered by simple algorithms. The phone learns which apps you use often or at certain times of day. By suggesting them in your app drawer or recent apps screen, it tries to save you time searching, aiming to get you back to your frequent tasks faster.
Disabling this feature means you choose a manual, distraction-free experience over that predicted convenience. It is a trade-off between smart assistance and a clean, predictable interface that you control completely.
Final Steps to a Cleaner Interface
You now have a complete map for managing app visibility on your Android device. Start with the universal method of checking the recent apps menu for a “Show Recommended Apps” toggle.
If that fails, navigate to your phone’s main Settings and look in the Home Screen or launcher sections, especially if you use a Samsung Galaxy. Remember that hiding suggestions is different from clearing your multitasking list, which is a separate manual action.
For the ultimate in customization and a guaranteed clean app drawer, consider downloading a respected third-party launcher from the Play Store. With these tools, you have full power over how to hide recently used apps on Android and shape your phone’s interface to your exact preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hiding recently used apps improve my phone’s battery life or performance?
No, it will not have any noticeable impact. The feature is just a visual suggestion and does not run apps in the background by itself. Performance and battery are affected by the apps you actually open and use.
Can I hide recently used apps for just one specific app?
No, the setting is universal. It turns off the suggestion row for all apps. You cannot exclude a single app from being shown if the feature is enabled.
I disabled the setting, but the suggestions came back after a restart. Why?
This should not happen. If it does, it may be a minor software bug. Go back into the settings and toggle it off again. If it persists, check if a system update is available for your phone.
What is the difference between “Frequently Used” and “Recently Used” apps?
“Recently used” means apps you opened very recently, maybe in the last few hours. “Frequently used” means apps you open regularly over a longer period, like days or weeks. Your phone’s suggestion row might mix both types to predict what you need.
Does this setting affect the apps I see when I connect to Android Auto or a smartwatch?
Usually, no. Those devices often have their own separate “recent” or “suggested” lists based on your usage in that specific context, like while driving.
If I hide recently used apps, will it stop my phone from learning my habits for other features?
Probably not. This setting typically only controls the visual suggestion row. Your phone’s wider adaptive features, like battery optimization or notification ranking, often use separate learning systems that continue to work.
My phone doesn’t have a “Recommended Apps” option. What should I do?
Your phone’s manufacturer may have removed or renamed the feature. Your best options are to search your main Settings for “suggestions” or “app predictions,” or to install a custom launcher that gives you the control you want.
Will using a third-party launcher like Nova slow down my phone?
Modern launchers from trusted developers are very efficient and should not slow down your phone. In some cases, a lightweight launcher can even feel faster than a manufacturer’s default one, which can be loaded with extra features.