Can an app or process/service be hidden even from the settings' app menu?

[Albert_76]

I wonder if an app not only can hide itself from the home screen and app drawer but also from the settings' app menu so that it would be completely hidden and 100% impossible to spot

Same as for processes and services in ram usage menu

And if there is an app that actually hides itself like that
How do I find it to uninstall/stop

 

[mustang7757]

It be very very hard to go unnoticed but can happen, factory reset or flash the firmware again if it worries you.

 

[Albert_76]

Factory resetting or flashing rom would take a lot of time since I also have to make a backup because I don't have any

Is there is any settings or 3rd party app that can show all hidden apps

 

[mustang7757]

Factory resetting or flashing rom would take a lot of time since I also have to make a backup because I don't have any

Is there is any settings or 3rd party app that can show all hidden apps

3rd party file manager like total commander can help find hidden files

 

[B. Diddy]

Is there a reason why you ask this? Are you concerned that you're hacked or something?

 

[Albert_76]

Is there a reason why you ask this? Are you concerned that you're hacked or something?

I recently asked if an APK can automatically install itself instead if being a useless file sitting in the corner waiting for the user to install it
So I searched and it turns out it is possible through exploits
However I also found that even if there is no new app showing up it might be already there but somehow hidden itself (my phone is unrooted so I don't think the app gained root access to hide itself within system apps)

There are no symptoms at all and no suspicious activity on any accounts at all
But I just want to make sure

 

[Albert_76]

What scares me is people's answers on the internet
50% tell me to do this and this and you should be fine
50% are like "buy a new phone asap your phone is gone forever because of your mistake"

 

[mustang7757]

What scares me is people's answers on the internet
50% tell me to do this and this and you should be fine
50% are like "buy a new phone asap your phone is gone forever because of your mistake"

You get that on the internet, if you look up a rash and it tells you million things wrong with you .

You should be ok .

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

You can drive yourself crazy worrying about things that are very unlikely to happen. Unless you are a criminal mastermind or a spy it is highly unlikely your phone will be hacked. If you don't click on dodgy links or install dodgy apps then your phone is unlikely to be compromised.

And BACK UP your phone asap. It is crazy not to have it backed up in case you drop it or break it or it needs to be factory reset. Backing up to Google is essential or backup manually to a usb flash drive if you are scared of Google.

Stop driving yourself crazy about random invisible apps and just enjoy your phone. In the era of covid we need to realise how lucky we are and how short life is. And live it.