How To Hide Games And Apps in Google Play Store Using Parental Controls

Dealing with kids and their endless app downloads can be kind of a headache. Sometimes they grab stuff you definitely don’t want them to see or use — especially games or social media. Google Family Link is supposed to help with that, but it’s not always straightforward when you want to hide specific apps from the Play Store or the device itself. This guide is about walking through the steps to restrict or hide certain apps, not just block all downloads. It can be pretty useful if your kid keeps spamming the device with new games or apps you rather they not see right away.

Sure, some of this seems simple but sometimes it gets a little tricky, especially with app visibility or if you’re trying to selectively hide one game while leaving others open. Expect a mix of ticking off permissions, managing app info, and some trial and error — because, of course, Google’s parental tools aren’t always perfectly intuitive. In the end, these methods can help tame the chaos, at least a bit.

How to Hide Apps & Manage Visibility in Google Play Store with Parental Controls

Method 1: Set Up Family Link and Adjust App Restrictions

This is the basic starting point—kind of wonky, but it pulls in most controls you’ll need. It helps if your goal is to barriers or restrict access without outright denying everything. Basically, it’s about setting restrictions that hide or block problematic apps based on age ratings or manual actions. It’s useful when you want the kid to see the apps but not be able to install or open them without permission.

Install Google Family Link on both your device and your child’s. Typically, from the Google Play Store, search for “Family Link” and get the app on both devices. On some setups, the setup process is smoother if you do it on the child’s device first and then link it to the parent account.
Open the app on your phone, sign in to your Google account as a parent, then follow the prompts to link your kid’s account. It usually involves signing into their Google account or creating a child account if you haven’t.
After setup, go into the app, select your child’s profile, then tap on Controls —> Google Play. From there, you can adjust the age rating limit, like PEGI 3 or 7, which automatically hides apps outside that age range.
This doesn’t *completely* hide everything, but it’s an easy way to block most inappropriate apps. It’s kind of a blunt tool but works for broad strokes.

Why it helps: this method filters out most adult or violent games based on age ratings, making it harder for kids to access unsuitable stuff without strict manual blocking. It applies when you want a quick filter rather than deep hiding. Expect fewer app options in the store list, but not complete invisibility.

A common note — sometimes, on older devices or with outdated apps, the restrictions don’t take effect immediately. Rebooting or refreshing the device can help. And yes, it’s a good idea to check that your app and OS versions are current.

Method 2: Directly Block or Restrict Specific Apps in the Manage Apps Section

This is the more targeted approach — if the main goal is hiding just one or two troublemaker apps like Facebook or Fortnite, you need to go straight to managing installed apps. It’s a bit less obvious how to do it, especially with Android’s often convoluted permissions, but here’s the gist.

In the Family Link app, select your child’s profile, then go to Manage Apps. You should see options like Installed Apps and Available Apps.
Find the app you want to hide or restrict. If it’s already installed, look under Installed Apps — tap on it, then choose Block or Restrict. This will prevent the child from opening or seeing the app on their device or in the Play Store.
Want to be more cautious? You can enable Require Approval for All Downloads. This means every time they try to get a new app or game, you’ll get a notification to approve or deny.

Why it helps: this really hides specific apps without affecting the overall store or other apps. It applies when your kid keeps installing apps off your radar and you want to turn that off without totally blocking everything else.

Side note: sometimes, apps might still show up in search, but they won’t launch or run properly once blocked. Also, these restrictions tend to stick even after reboot, but it’s worth double-checking periodically.

Method 3: Use Safe Mode or Third-Party Apps for Deeper Hiding

Kind of a cheat code — if you need to really hide apps from view (like for a teen who’s trying to sneak around), there are apps like App Hider or Smart Hide Calculator. They can hide apps behind a fake calculator icon or similar, but beware, they can be circumvented if the kid figures it out.

Also, some Android devices allow you to enable a “Secure Folder” (like Samsung’s Secure Folder), which isolates apps so they aren’t visible in normal settings. This requires enabling the feature in device settings, then moving apps inside it.

Just a heads-up: these aren’t official parental controls, so they can be reverse-engineered or uninstalled. Use with caution, and remember that transparency is usually better for long-term trust.

Extra Tips & Troubleshooting

Sometimes nothing seems to work smoothly, especially if updates mess things up or settings reset. Ensure both your device and your kid’s device are running the latest OS updates. Sometimes, toggling restrictions off and on again helps. And don’t forget to keep track of that PIN — losing it means going through a reset or verification process, which nobody enjoys.

On some devices, permissions or restrictions might be overridden by device policies set by corporate accounts or custom ROMs, so the methods may vary. As always, trial and error can be your friend here.

Wrap-up

All these methods combined can help keep certain apps out of sight, at least most of the time. It’s not foolproof, but if the goal is to reduce accidental openings or prevent easy access to specific apps, this covers most angles.

Just remember, technology isn’t perfect. Check back regularly, and mix these controls with good ongoing conversations about online safety. Parental controls are tools, not solutions—so keep an eye on what’s happening, and adjust as needed.

Summary

Set up Google Family Link for broad restrictions and filtering.
Manage apps directly in Family Link to block or restrict specific apps.
Consider third-party hiding apps for sneaky scenarios—but use with caution.
Keep devices updated and review restrictions periodically.