How to add an application icon to the Samsung Android home screen: all methods

Adding an application icon to the home screen Samsung Galaxy seems like a simple task - until you come across the nuances. Depending on the shell version One UI (5.0, 6.0 or later), smartphone model (Galaxy S23, A54, Z Fold5 etc.) and even launcher settings, the process may differ. Some people don’t find the desired application in the menu, for some the shortcut disappears after an update, and some want to display system utilities that are hidden by default.

In this article we will look at all the current methods - from basic drag-and-drop to manually creating shortcuts through Settings and third-party launchers. Let's look separately at typical problems: why some applications are not displayed in the list for adding, how to return disappeared icons after resetting the settings, and what to do if One UI blocks the creation of duplicates. All instructions have been tested on firmware 2023–2026, but taking into account frequent interface updates Samsung.

1. Basic method: dragging from the application menu

This is a standard method that works on all smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI (starting from version 2.0). Suitable for 90% of users and takes no more than 10 seconds.

Open application menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen or click on the “dots/squares” icon in the dock panel). Find the application you need, hold its icon with your finger for 1-2 seconds. When visual feedback appears (the icon “rises” and the screen darkens slightly), drag it to any free area of ​​the main screen or to the dock panel. Release your finger - the shortcut will be created.

• 📱 Works on all models: from Galaxy A14 to Galaxy S24 Ultra.
• 🔄 If dragging does not work, check if the mode is activated Easy mode (Settings → Accessibility → Easy mode).
• 🚫 Some system applications (for example, Knox or Secure Folder ) may be blocked from being added.

If the desired application is not in the menu, try using the search bar at the top of the screen. Enter a name - the system will even show hidden utilities (for example, Samsung Members or Smart Switch).

2. Adding through the app context menu

An alternative method, useful if dragging does not work (for example, due to touch lags or enabled one-handed modeSuitable for creating shortcuts on the desktop without opening the application menu.

Steps:

1. Open application menu (swipe up).
2. Find the desired application and click on its icon once (do not pinch!).
3. In the context menu that appears, select Add to main screen (or Create a shortcut on some firmware).
4. Select a location for the shortcut (home screen or dock panel) and confirm.

This method is especially convenient for adding widgets —there will be a separate item in the context menu Widgetswhere you can select size and functionality (for example, a weather widget with a 5-day forecast). (most often - preinstalled services Samsung with a 5-day forecast).

What should I do if there is no “Add to Home Screen” option?

This means that the application is blocked by the system (most often pre-installed services Samsung or Google). Try creating a shortcut via Settings → Applications → [application name] → Advanced → Create a shortcut. If this path is not available, use the method with Activities (section 4).

3. Creating a shortcut through the app settings

If the application is not displayed in the menu (for example, it is hidden by the device administrator or is a system one), it can be added through the section SettingsThis method works even for utilities like Samsung Knox or Device Carewhich are usually not visible to the user.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system applications (if necessary).
3. Find the desired application in the list and open its page.
4. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Create shortcut (or Add to home screen).

If there is no item Create a shortcut then the application is blocked at the firmware level. In this case, only manually creating a shortcut via Activities (section 4) or using a third-party launcher (section 5).

Application type	Can I add a shortcut?	Method
Regular applications (WhatsApp, Chrome)	✅ Yes	Drag and drop or context menu
System utilities (Device Care, Knox)	⚠️ Partially	Through Settings → Applications
Hidden services (Android System, Com.android.phone)	❌ No	Requires ADB or a third-party launcher
Applications in Secure Folder	✅ Yes	Open Secure Folderthen drag

4. Manually creating a shortcut through Activities (for hidden applications)

This is an advanced method for adding shortcuts to system components that are not displayed in the standard menu. For example, you can display this on the screen:

• 🔧 Test mode (com.sec.android.app.launcher/...TestActivity)
• 📡 Service menu (com.android.settings/.RunningServices)
• 🔒 Knox Settings (com.samsung.knox.settings/.KnoxSettingsActivity)

To do this you will need:

1. Install the application Activity Launcher (available in Google Play).
2. Open it and find the desired application in the list (use search).
3. Tap on the activity (usually there is only one) and select Create shortcut.
4. Confirm creation - the icon will appear on the main screen.

Attention: not all activities are safe to launch. For example, calling com.sec.android.app.factorykeytest may lead to. to resetting network settings or activating test mode, which disables some of the smartphone's functions.

5. Using third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If standard methods do not work (for example, on Galaxy with corporate restrictions), installing an alternative launcher will help. Popular options:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher - supports creating shortcuts for any applications, including system ones.
• 🛠️ Apex Launcher - allows you to customize gestures and hide icons.
• 📱 Lawnchair - lightweight launcher with support Android 13/14.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the main one (at first launch).
2. Press an empty space on the main screen → Widgets → Nova Actions.
3. Select Shortcut (shortcut) and find the desired application in the list (including hidden ones).
4. Drag the created shortcut to the home screen.

The advantage of third-party launchers is flexibility. For example, in Nova you can:

• 🔄 Create duplicate icons (in standard One UI this is prohibited).
• 🖼️ Change icons to custom ones through packs Icon Packs.
• 📂 Group applications into folders with gestures (for example, swipe up to open Spotify).

6. Restoring disappeared icons after updating or reset

After updating One UI or resetting the settings, application icons may disappear from the main screen. Reasons:

• 🔄 Resetting the launcher settings (often occurs after major updates).
• 📦 Removing cache com.sec.android.app.launcher (system launcher).
• 🔒 Work profile restrictions (Samsung Knox).

To return icons:

1. Check recycle bin on the main screen (if enabled in the settings launcher).
2. Reboot the device - sometimes One UI restores shortcuts automatically.
3. If the icons disappeared after the update, reset the launcher settings:

   Settings → Applications → Three dots → Show system → Launcher → Storage → Clear data

   Attention: this will delete all custom home screen settings!

If the icon disappears one specific application (for example, Galaxy Store or Samsung Pay), try:

• 🔍 Find it through the search in the application menu and add it again.
• 📥 Reinstall the application via Google Play or Galaxy Store.
• 🛠️ Check if it is disabled in Settings → Applications → [name] → Disable.

7. icon

If none of the methods worked, check these points:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
When dragging, the icon returns back	Enabled Easy mode or Children's mode	Disable in Settings → Accessibility
There is no "Add to home screen" item in the context menu	The application is blocked by the administrator (for example, Knox)	Use Activity Launcher or a third-party launcher
A shortcut is created, but does not open the application	Damaged launcher or application cache	Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Launcher i [application name]
You cannot create a duplicate icon	Restriction One UI	Install Nova Launcher or create a folder with the original icon

Special case: on some corporate devices Samsung (with Knox) the administrator can completely block changes to the main screen. In this case:

1. Check the policies Knox in Settings → Biometrics and security → Knox.
2. Contact your organization's IT department for unlocking.
3. If the device is personal, but with Knox, try disabling it via Settings → Accounts → Knox (a reset may be required).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Samsung DeX (desktop mode) home screen shortcuts and DeX are not always synchronized. If you added an icon to DeX, it may not appear on the mobile screen, and vice versa.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to add an application icon, which is not on Google Play (APK)?

Yes, but there are nuances:

• If the APK is installed manually, its icon will appear in the application menu - add it in the standard way.
• If the icon is not displayed, check if installation from unknown sources is blocked (Settings → Security → Install unknown applications).
• For hidden APKs (for example, modified ones) use Activity Launcher.

How to remove the inscriptions under the icons on the main screen?

In standard One UI this is impossible without third-party tools. Solutions:

• Use Nova Launcher (in the settings there is an option Hide application labels).
• Install a pack of icons with empty labels (for example, Minimalist Icon Pack).
• On Galaxy Z Fold you can disable labels in mode DeX, but this will not affect the mobile screen.

Why are the icons cluttered after the One UI update?

This is a known problem One UI 5.0–6.0. The launcher resets the location of shortcuts when:

• Major firmware updates (for example, from Android 13 to 14).
• Cleaning data com.sec.android.app.launcher.
• Operation failure Samsung Cloud (if home screen synchronization is enabled).

Solution: restore the location from a backup (Settings → Accounts and backup → Restore data → Home screen) or set it up again.

Is it possible to add a website icon to the home screen, like in iOS?

Yes, in two ways:

1. B Google Chrome: open the site → click on the three dots → Add to home screen.
2. V Samsung Internet: open the site → click on the menu icon → Add to home screen.

Both methods create PWA shortcut (Progressive Web App), which opens the site in a frameless window (like application).

How to return standard Samsung icons after using custom ones?

If you changed icons through the launcher or packs like Icon Pack Studio, you can return the original ones like this:

• In Nova Launcher: hold the icon → Edit → Reset icon.
• In standard One UI: reset the launcher settings (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear data).
• If the icons are completely gone, reinstall the application via Galaxy Store.