The company's smartphones Samsung are famous for their unique interface One UI, which provides users with ample opportunities to customize the workspace. Often, after resetting settings, buying a new device, or deleting unnecessary apps, users find that some important applications are missing from the start page. A reasonable question arises about how to return the missing controls and make using the gadget as comfortable as possible.
The procedure for adding shortcuts to the system Android from the South Korean manufacturer is intuitive, but has a number of nuances related to the launcher. In this detailed guide, we will cover not only standard methods for transferring applications, but also creating shortcuts for websites, as well as working with widgets. You will learn how to manage your desktop so that all the necessary functions are at hand in one click.
Understanding the difference between the application itself and its shortcut will help you understand the organization of space Home Screen . Removing an icon from the main screen in most cases does not lead to uninstalling the app; it is simply hidden from quick access. Let's take a detailed look at the mechanisms for managing interface elements on devices of the line Galaxy.
Searching for applications in the menu and transferring them to the desktop
The first and most common way to place the desired app is to use the complete list of installed applications. On devices Samsung the split-screen mode and application menu are enabled by default, which distinguishes them from pure Android. First, you need to unlock the device and go to any free screen.
Swipe your finger from bottom to top in the center of the display. This action will open App Drawer a storage of all installed apps. Here you can find both system utilities and games downloaded from the store. Find the desired application in the list or use the search bar at the top of the menu to speed up the process.
Once you have found the desired icon, hold it with your finger for a few seconds. The interface will change: the screen will become smaller, and you can drag the element to any free area of the desktop. Release your finger to lock the shortcut. If you want to place an icon in an existing folder, simply drag it on top of another icon.
If you use certain applications frequently, create a separate folder for them on the Home screen so as not to clutter the space with unnecessary items.
It is important to note that some system applications may be hidden in the privacy settings. If you cannot find the app in the general list, check the Settings → Privacy → Hiding applicationssection. Perhaps the required software was added there accidentally or intentionally by a previous user.
Setting the automatic addition of new icons
Many users are faced with a situation where, after installing a new app, its icon is out of Google Play does not appear on the desktop automatically. This can be inconvenient, especially if you install a lot of utilities on a daily basis. Fortunately, the shell One UI has a function that solves this problem once and for all.
To activate the automatic placement of new shortcuts, you need to perform a few simple steps in the home screen settings. Press and hold your finger on an empty area of the desktop until the settings menu appears. At the bottom of the screen, select Settings.
In the menu that opens, find the switch named Add icons for new applications. Activate it by moving the slider to the right. Now, every new application that you download and install will automatically receive its shortcut on the last free page of the main screen.
- 📱 This feature saves time manually searching for fresh apps in the menu.
- ⚙️ The setting applies globally to all future installations through any store.
- 🗑️ You can always delete the automatically created shortcut if you don’t need it.
It is worth considering that with the automatic addition option enabled, the desktop can quickly fill up if you like to experiment with software. In this case, it is recommended to periodically audit and remove unused shortcuts to keep the interface clean and tidy.
Adding widgets to the Samsung screen
Widgets are interactive interface elements that display important information or provide quick access to application functions without having to launch them completely. On smartphones Samsung the choice of widgets is especially rich due to close integration with the company's services and third-party developers.
To add a widget, long press on an empty area of the main screen. In the bottom menu, tap on the item Widgets. You will see a complete list of all available elements, grouped by application name. You can scroll the list vertically or use the search.
Select the desired widget from the list. Some apps offer multiple size and design options. Tap and hold the option you like, then drag it to your desktop. Once placed, you can often change the size of the widget by pulling the special markers along the edges of the frame.
| Widget type | Functional | Recommended size |
|---|---|---|
| Clock and weather | Display time, date and forecast | 4x2 or 2x2 |
| Calendar | View schedule and events | 4x2 or 4x4 |
| Shortcuts contacts | Quick call or message | 1x1 or 2x2 |
| Battery | Device charge monitoring | 2x1 or 4x1 |
| Google Search | Search bar and voice input | 4x1 |
Why may the widget not work?
Widgets require constant data updating. If you use power saving mode, the system may limit their activity to save battery power. Disable application-specific optimization in the battery settings if the widget stops updating.
The shell One UI also supports a widget stack. You can place multiple widgets in one area of the screen and switch between them by simply swiping up or down. This allows you to save precious space on the display, leaving access to different functions at one point.
Creating website shortcuts through the browser
Sometimes a user needs quick access to a specific web resource that he visits daily, but does not want to install a separate application. In this case, the ideal solution would be to create a site shortcut directly on the home screen. This process is carried out through a mobile browser.
Open your browser Samsung Internet or Google Chrome and go to the page you want to add. Click on the browser menu, which is usually indicated by three dots or bars in the bottom or top corner of the screen. In the drop-down list, find the item Add page to home screen.
The system will prompt you to enter a name for the shortcut. By default, the page title is provided, but you can change it to something shorter and clearer. After confirmation, the shortcut name will be saved, and the site icon will appear on your desktop next to regular applications.
The site shortcut works as a separate window: when clicked, the page opens in a mode close to a full-fledged application, without a browser address bar (depending on the site's PWA support).
⚠️ Attention: If you change the address site or it moves to a new domain, the created shortcut may stop working or open an error page. In this case, the old shortcut must be deleted and a new one created with the current link.
This method is especially useful for web versions of social networks, news portals or online services that do not have official applications in the store. Play Market. This allows you to organize your workspace to suit your individual needs without installing unnecessary software.
Working with folders and organizing space
When the number of icons on the screen becomes too large, navigation becomes complicated. To maintain order on devices Samsung there are folders. Creating a folder does not require calling additional menus and is done using the drag-and-drop method.
Long-press the icon of one application and drag it directly over the icon of another application. The system will automatically create a folder containing both items. You can give the folder a name by clicking on the name area above the icons and entering text from the keyboard.
You can place up to several dozen applications inside the folder. To add another app to an existing folder, simply drag its icon onto the open folder. To remove an application from a folder, just drag it outside the folder to a free space on the screen.
- 📁 Folders allow you to group applications into categories: “Work”, “Games”, “Social networks”.
- 🎨 In the latest versions One UI you can change the background color of folders in accordance with the theme design.
- 🚀 Folders support the creation of shortcuts within themselves for quick launch without opening a group.
Organizing your workspace is a matter of personal taste, but logical grouping significantly speeds up the search for the necessary tools. Don’t be afraid to create nested structures or use multiple screens for different scenarios of using your smartphone.
Restoring missing icons and resetting settings
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where application icons disappear from the main screen for no apparent reason. This can happen after a system update, a launcher crash, or accidental movement of items. In most cases, applications are not deleted, but simply hidden from view.
Check the application menu (swipe up). If the app is there, it means it was installed correctly. Try dragging it to your desktop again. If the icon is not even in the menu, check whether the application is disabled in the settings. Go to Settings → Applications, find the required software and make sure that it is not in the "Disabled" state.
As a last resort, if the launcher interface does not work correctly and icons are not added, you can reset the home screen settings. To do this, go to Settings → Applications, find One UI Home (or Home screen) in the list. Go to the section Memory and press the button Reset.
☑️ Diagnosis of missing icons
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the home screen settings will return the arrangement of icons and widgets to the factory state. All folders and custom desktop settings you created will be deleted, so use this method only if other methods did not help.
After the reset, the device will offer to configure the desktop again. This is a great opportunity to start with a clean slate and organize the space in a way that is convenient for you, using everything you have learned about adding icons and widgets.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I drag an icon onto the desktop?
Make sure there is free space on the home screen. If all pages are full, the system will not allow you to add a new item. Also check if the "Block desktop changes" mode is enabled in the display settings. To do this, hold down an empty space, go to settings and disable the corresponding switch.
Is it possible to change the size of an application icon on Samsung?
You cannot change the size of a specific application icon using standard system tools; you can only change the screen grid (the number of icons in a row). However, you can use a theme from the store Galaxy Storethat offers icons of a different size, or install a third-party launcher that supports flexible size adjustment.
How to remove the notification icon from the application icon?
Notification icons (circles with numbers) are managed in the settings. Go to Settings → Notifications → Notification icons on application icons. Here you can globally disable this feature for all apps or select specific applications for which you do not want to display icons.
What to do if a site shortcut opens the wrong page?
Site shortcuts are linked to a specific URL. If the site has changed its link structure, the old shortcut may lead to the main page or display an error. Delete the old shortcut (drag it to the trash or click "Delete"), open the browser, go to the desired page and create a new shortcut again.
Where are hidden applications on Samsung?
Hidden applications are not displayed either on the main screen or in the menu. To find them, you need to go to Settings → Privacy → Hiding applications. This section lists all apps that have been added to the hidden list. To return the icon, simply uncheck the application or delete it from the list.