Modern smartphone users are often faced with a situation where the standard space on the main screen is no longer enough. The abundance of widgets, application folders and shortcuts requires expanding the available workspace. However, many owners of devices based on Android erroneously believe that adding a new page cannot be done without installing third-party software.
In fact, the operating system natively supports the creation of additional desktops. The process of creating a new screen is intuitive, but can vary significantly depending on the specific brand of your device and firmware version.
In this article we will analyze in detail standard methods for expanding the interface, and also consider the nuances of working with popular shells. You will learn not only how to create new pages, but also how to properly organize them to increase productivity.
The basic principle of working with desktops
By default launcher —the app responsible for displaying the home screen creates one main section. However, the Android architecture allows you to generate an unlimited number of additional pages. The main method of adding new space is to move controls outside the visible area.
To create a new page, the user needs to hold his finger on any free space on the screen or on the application icon. After this, the interface will go into editing mode, where additional navigation tools will become available. A thumbnail of the current table will appear on the screen, as well as control buttons.
Swiping left or right in preview mode allows you to navigate between already created pages. If you scroll all the way to the right, you will see an empty area with a plus sign or a “Create” button. It is this action that duplicates the current template and adds a new blank sheet for widgets.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices without pre-installed launchers, the add button may be missing. In this case, the system will automatically create a new page as soon as you drag the icon beyond the right edge of the current screen.
The number of available screens is theoretically unlimited, but too many of them can lead to poor interface performance. It is recommended to maintain a balance between the number of pages and the amount of RAM of your gadget.
Interface features in different shells
Smartphone manufacturers are actively modifying the standard Android interface, adding their own functions and changing the navigation logic. This directly affects how the user can add a new desktop on his device.
In devices from the company Samsungthat run on the shell One UI, the process is as visualized as possible. When you hold your finger on the screen, a bottom panel appears with thumbnails of all available pages. Adding a new screen is done by clicking on the plus icon on the right side of this panel.
Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco with a shell MIUI or HyperOS offer a similar, but slightly different mechanism. A preview mode is also available here, but often there is an additional “Screen Memory” function, which allows you to save widget configurations.
Xiaomi Settings Secrets
In the MIUI desktop settings, you can enable the “Endless Scrolling” function. This creates the illusion of one long screen, looping the transition from the last page to the first, which visually hides the presence of separate tables.
Line devices Google Pixel and smartphones with clean Android use the most minimalistic approach. There is no explicit plus button in edit mode. The system relies on gestures: simply dragging an icon to the right off the screen instantly generates a new page.
| Shell | Add method | Edit mode | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| One UI (Samsung) | Button “+” in the bottom menu | Hold in an empty space | Visual effects when switching |
| MIUI / HyperOS | The "+" button or swipe | Double pinch or hold | Ability to hide pages |
| Stock Android | Drag the icon to the right | Hold on the icon | Minimalism and speed |
| ColorOS (Oppo) | Swipe to the right in preview mode | Hold on an empty space | Flexible grid settings |
Understanding the specifics of your shell allows you to quickly find the right settings and more effectively manage the space of your smartphone. If standard methods do not work, the ability to create new pages may be disabled in the launcher settings.
Step-by-step guide for creating a screen
To be sure to add a new page, follow the universal algorithm of actions. These steps are suitable for most modern devices released after 2020.
First, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen. Make sure that there is free space on the current page or at least one application icon that can be moved.
☑️ Screen creation algorithm
After entering edit mode, pay attention to the bottom of the display. There should be a feed with thumbnails displayed there. Scroll this feed all the way to the right.
If you see an empty frame or add icon, click on it. The system will instantly create a duplicate of the structure of the previous screen or a blank sheet, depending on the theme settings.
An alternative method is to drag and drop. Hold any application icon and, without releasing your finger, begin to slowly move it to the right edge of the screen. When the cursor reaches the border, the interface will automatically move, opening a new area.
⚠️ Attention: When dragging the icon, try not to make sudden movements. A swipe that is too fast may be perceived by the system as a command to switch between existing pages, rather than to create a new one.
After the new screen appears, release the icon in any convenient place. This action will record the creation of the page. Now you can fill it with widgets, folders and shortcuts at your discretion.
Use new screens for thematic grouping. For example, dedicate a separate page just for instant messengers, and another for document tools. This will speed up the search for the necessary apps.
Setting up a grid and organizing space
Just adding a screen is not enough - it is important to configure it correctly for comfortable use. The key parameter here is desktop grid, which determines the number of cells for placing elements.
In the launcher settings, you can change the density of icons. The standard value is usually 5x5 or 4x6, but advanced users can increase this number to 6x6 or even 7x7 on larger displays. This allows you to place more applications on one page.
To change the grid settings, go to the device settings menu. Find the section Home screen or Desktop. Inside this menu there will be an item Screen gridwhere you can select the desired configuration of rows and columns.
In addition to the grid, size plays an important role widgets. Modern widgets support changing dimensions. By holding a widget on a new screen, you can drag the frames to stretch it into two or three cells, taking up more usable space.
Organizing space also involves using folders. Grouping applications by color or category allows you to visually unload the interface. Creating a folder is accomplished by simply dragging one icon on top of another.
The optimal grid configuration depends on the screen size and the user's visual acuity. Don't try to make icons too small to save space - ergonomics is more important than density.
Removing and managing extra pages
Over time, the number of desktops can become redundant, making navigation difficult. The operating system provides simple tools for removing unnecessary pages and optimizing the menu structure.
To remove an extra screen, enter editing mode again by holding your finger on an empty space. In thumbnail preview mode, find the page you want to eliminate. Usually a trash can or cross icon appears above or below it.
Click on this deletion confirmation icon. The system will warn you that all applications and widgets located on this page will be moved to adjacent screens or to the application menu. Confirm the action.
- 🗑️ Deleting an empty page occurs automatically if there is not a single element left on it.
- 📂 When deleting a full page, the icons do not disappear, but return to the general list of applications.
- 🔄 You cannot delete the only remaining desktop - the system always requires the presence of one page.
The function of changing the main screen is also available. You can designate any of the created pages as the main one, the one that opens when you press the Home button. To do this, in preview mode, click on the house icon under the desired thumbnail.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting a page with weather widgets or a news feed may reset their settings. Before deleting, check whether important data is tied exclusively to widgets on this screen.
Advanced capabilities through third-party launchers
If the standard functionality of your smartphone seems limited, you can always install an alternative one launcher from the Google Play store. Third-party shells offer radically different approaches to managing desktops.
Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher, allow you to create an unlimited number of pages with flexible transition settings. You can adjust animation speed, scrolling effects, and even add vertical scrolling within a single page.
adb shell pm grant com.nova.launcher android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGSThis command, entered via USB debugging, gives access to deep interface settings that are not available to ordinary users. With its help, you can change the screen density (DPI) and font scale, which indirectly affects the perception of the number of screens.
Using third-party software requires care. Some launchers may consume more battery resources or conflict with system navigation gestures. Before installation, it is recommended that you read the reviews and requirements for the Android version.
Hidden function of Nova Launcher
In this launcher, you can create an “endless” desktop by enabling the corresponding option in the desktop settings. This allows you to scroll through the screens in a circle without reaching the end of the list.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why doesn’t the add screen button appear?
Your manufacturer has probably blocked this function in the stock firmware or enabled the “Simple Mode” for older people. Try dragging the icon off the edge of the screen - this often works even if the button is hidden.
Is it possible to add a screen on a locked phone?
No, creating and editing desktops is only available after unlocking the device and logging in. Only widgets provided by security settings are displayed on the lock screen.
How many maximum screens can you create on Android?
There is no technical hard limit, but launchers often limit the number of pages to 7-9 for ease of navigation. Third-party launchers can allow you to create up to 20 or more pages.
Will applications disappear if I delete a page?
No, the pages themselves are not deleted by the applications. The shortcuts will disappear from the main screen, but the apps will remain installed in memory and will be accessible through the general application menu (swipe up).
How to return to the factory appearance of desktops?
To do this, you need to clear the launcher data in the system settings. Path: Settings → Applications → Desktop → Memory → Clear data. This will reset all created screens to the “out of the box” state.