Modern smartphones have a huge amount of software pre-installed and downloaded by the user. Over time, the main screen of the device turns into a chaotic pile of icons, which makes it much more difficult to find the ones you need. Organizing space becomes a critical task for comfortable use of the gadget. applications. Organizing space becomes a critical task for comfortable use of the gadget.
On the Android operating system, this problem is solved simply by using the directory creation function. You can group apps by topic, frequency of use, or icon color. This not only improves visual perception, but also saves time when navigating the menu.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of creating folders on different versions of the shell, consider the nuances of moving elements and answer frequently asked questions that users have when customizing the interface.
Basic method of creating a group of applications
The standard algorithm of actions is intuitive is understandable and works on the vast majority of devices, from budget models to flagships. You don't need special skills or installation of third-party software. It is enough to know the drag gesture.
To begin, find two application icons on the desktop that you want to combine. Press your finger on one of them and hold down until the element begins to “float” or vibrate. This is a signal that the editing mode is activated.
Without releasing your finger, drag the selected shortcut directly over the second icon. As soon as you release the press, the system will automatically create container and place both applications there. The default folder name will be generated automatically based on app categories, but you can change it manually.
If you accidentally drop an icon not on another application, but in an empty space, it will simply move to a new position and the folder will not be created.
This method is universal for standard launchers such as Pixel Launcher or Samsung One UI Home. The process takes literally a couple of seconds and does not require confirmation from additional dialog boxes.
Features of working in different shells
Although the core of the system remains the same, smartphone manufacturers often make their own changes to the graphical interface. These modifications may concern animation, the appearance of folders and additional management functions.
On devices Xiaomi with the MIUI or HyperOS shell, creating a folder is similar, but when you click on the created group, a full-fledged window with a grid of icons opens, which can occupy almost the entire screen. The function of “speeding up” opening a folder with a double tap is also available here.
Smartphone owners Samsung may notice that folders have more pronounced boundaries and support nesting. You can create a folder inside another folder, although this is rarely practical from a usability standpoint. A mode for changing the folder size is also available here.
It is worth noting that on some custom firmware, for example, from OnePlus or Realme, the "Quick" function is available applications" inside the folder. This allows you to launch frequently used apps directly from the collapsed state of the group, without opening it completely.
Editing the name and content
Automatic names like “Social networks” or “Tools” do not always reflect the essence of the content or the user’s personal preferences. Fortunately, renaming a folder is a simple procedure that can be done at any time.
To change the name, simply click once on the created folder to expand its contents. At the top of the window that opens you will see the current name. Click on the text and an input cursor will appear, allowing you to erase the old name and write a new one.
Adding new applications to an existing group occurs in the same way as creation. Simply drag the desired icon over an open folder or onto its minimized icon. The system instantly integrates the new element into the structure.
- 📁 Click on the folder to expand the menu.
- ✏️ Tap on the name text field to edit.
- ➕ Drag the new icon inside to add.
- ❌ Hold icon and drag it outside the folder to remove it from the group.
If you want to remove an application from the folder, but not completely remove it from the phone, just drag the icon outside the container to an empty space on the desktop. The app will remain installed, but will leave the group.
☑️ Checking the organization of space
Deleting folders and disbanding groups
Sometimes there is a need to eliminate a previously created structure. This may be due to a change in phone usage habits or a desire to free up space on the desktop for widgets.
To delete a folder completely along with all the shortcuts in it (the applications themselves are not deleted from the phone's memory), you need to empty it. Drag all the icons from the folder to the desktop one at a time.
As soon as there is no application left in the folder, it will disappear automatically. This is standard behavior of the Android system and prevents the appearance of "empty" containers taking up space on the screen.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting a folder does not delete installed applications. They simply return to the main screen as separate icons. However, if you delete an application from a folder through the phone's settings menu, it will disappear everywhere.
In some rare cases, when using third-party launchers, you may need to long press on the folder itself and select "Delete" from the context menu that appears if the auto-disappear feature is disabled.
Advanced sorting and styling
For users striving for ideal order, more in-depth customization is available. Inside the folder, applications can be sorted manually, rearranging them for ease of access.
Usually the most important apps are located in the bottom row of the window that opens, since they are easier to reach with your thumb. Less important utilities can be sent to the top pages of a folder if their contents do not fit on one screen.
| Action | Result | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Drag and drop within a folder | Change order icons | Put frequently used apps first |
| Swipe left/right | Move between folder pages | Use for large collections of games |
| Change name | Interface personalization | Use emoji for clarity |
Some launchers allow you to change the background color of a folder or its display style. This relates to visual customization and depends on the specific software version of your device.
The secret to fast navigation
On many devices, if a folder contains 4 or fewer applications, they can be displayed directly on the desktop in a fan shape when clicked, without opening the window completely.
Solving common problems
Despite the simplicity of the function, users sometimes encounter difficulties. Most often, they are associated with interface blocking or features of specific smartphone models.
If the icons do not drag and do not respond to a long press, check the home screen settings. The layout lock mode may be enabled, which prevents accidental movement of elements.
To disable this protection, go to Settings, find the section Home screen or Desktop and disable the option Lock layout. After this, you will again be able to freely manipulate folders.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces are updated with every version of Android. If you do not find the desired item in the menu, use the search in the phone settings by entering the query “lock” or “desktop”.
Also, the problem may occur if the device’s memory is critically full. In this case, the system can temporarily limit animations and interface editing functions to save resources.
The main reason for the inability to create a folder is the enabled blocking of changing the location of icons in the launcher settings.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to create a folder inside another folder?
It is impossible to create a subfolder (a folder within a folder) using the standard tools of most Android shells. The system only allows you to drag and drop individual applications. However, some third-party launchers from Google Play may support this feature.
How many applications can be placed in one folder?
There is no technical limit on the number of applications in a folder. You can add at least all the apps from your phone there. However, with a large number of icons, navigation will become more complicated, since they will be distributed across many pages within the group.
Why did the folder disappear after rebooting the phone?
This behavior is not the norm for stable versions of Android. This may indicate a launcher malfunction or system cache corruption. Try clearing the Launcher application cache in the settings or updating the system to the latest version.
How to rename a folder if the name cannot be edited?
Make sure that you click on the name text field inside the open folder. If the keyboard doesn't appear, your theme may be blocking editing. Try changing the theme to the standard one or updating the launcher.
Does the number of folders affect the speed of the smartphone?
No, creating folders does not have a noticeable effect on the performance of the device. This is just a visual organization of labels. The load on the processor and RAM remains the same, regardless of whether the icons are scattered or collected in groups.