Many users, switching to smartphones with an operating system Android Oreo, are often faced with a misunderstanding of how the organization of space on the screen functions. The question “how to add a desktop to Android 8” usually does not mean creating a new virtual page from scratch, but adding shortcuts, widgets, or moving icons to expand the available area. Unlike desktop computers, the mobile OS does not allow you to manually create an infinite number of empty “sheets” at the user’s request.
The system Android 8.0 and its modifications from manufacturers (for example, MIUI, EMUI or Samsung Experience) automatically generate new home screen pages when you drag the application icon to the right edge of the current page. This is an intuitive mechanism that frees the user from the need to manually manage the number of workspaces, but requires an understanding of the logic of moving objects.
This article will examine in detail all the nuances of navigation, setting up the launcher and solving problems if a new page is not created automatically. We will look at standard system tools, as well as the capabilities of third-party apps for those who lack out-of-the-box functionality.
The principle of operation of the launcher in Android Oreo
The main element of the interface in any version of Android is launcher (launcher). This is the app responsible for displaying the desktop, application menu and dock panel. The stock version Android 8 uses Pixel Launcher or its analogues, which have strict operating logic. Understanding how the launcher handles free space is critical to properly organizing the space.
When all the cells on the current screen are filled with icons or widgets, the system does not block further actions. Instead, it expects the user to start moving the object. A new desktop page is created automatically only when the icon is dragged outside the visible area of the screen to the right. An attempt to find the "Create Page" button in the settings is doomed to failure, since such an item simply does not exist in the standard interface.
Various Manufacturer's wrappers may change this behavior slightly. For example, in some versions Samsung Experience for Android 8, you can press an empty space on the screen and see thumbnails of all desktops, where the add button is sometimes available. However, in pure Android the drag-and-drop rule applies.
⚠️ Attention: If you use a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex), the logic for adding pages may be different. In the settings of such applications, you can often set the number of pages explicitly or disable their automatic creation.
It is also important to remember that the number of desktops is limited by the device's RAM and GPU resources, although in practice the limit is so large that the average user will never reach it. The main thing is not to clutter the interface with unnecessary elements, so as not to reduce the system response speed.
Instructions for adding shortcuts and widgets
The most common scenario when a user needs to “add a desktop” is the desire to place a frequently used application on a separate page for quick access. The process of adding an application shortcut is as follows.
First, you need to open the all applications menu. This is usually done by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or by pressing a special button in the navigation bar. Find the desired icon in the list. Press and hold it with your finger for about a second until the phone vibrates or the interface changes.
Without releasing your finger, drag the icon to the right side of the screen. When the cursor reaches the edge, the system will automatically scroll the image and create a new empty area. Release your finger to lock the shortcut in its new location. Now you have an additional desktop.
In a similar way, interactive elements are added that display the weather, clock or news. To do this you need: Widgets — interactive elements displaying weather, clocks or news. To do this you need:
- 📱 Press an empty space on any of the existing desktops.
- 🛠️ In the bottom menu that appears, select the item
Widgets. - 📅 Find the desired widget in the list (for example, calendar or weather) and drag it to a free space.
If the widget is large and does not fit on the current page, the system will also prompt you to create a new page or automatically move you to an adjacent free area. The widget can be resized by holding it and dragging it outside the frame, if the launcher supports this feature.
☑️ Checklist before moving
Adjusting the grid and icon density
Sometimes the problem is not the lack of ability to add a page, but that there is too much or too little space on the current screens. In Android 8, grid settings may be hidden deep in menus or only accessible through third-party utilities. Changing the density of icons allows you to more efficiently use the space of one desktop, possibly eliminating the need to create extra pages.
In some shells, such as MIUI or ColorOS, grid settings are made explicitly available. Just hold down an empty space on the screen, click on the settings gear and select Grid. Here you can switch from 4x5 to 5x6, which will allow you to fit more applications on one page.
In stock Android 8, such settings are often missing from the user interface. However, they can be changed through the developer menu or using special commands. This requires caution as incorrect settings can make text unreadable.
You can use a command via ADB to change the display density (DPI) if USB debugging is enabled. This is an advanced method that allows you to globally change the scale of the interface.
adb shell wm density 400Value 400 is an example; standard values vary from 320 to 480 depending on the screen diagonal. Reducing the number will make the elements larger, increasing - smaller, which will allow you to fit more icons on one desktop.
Risks of changing DPI
Changing the screen density via ADB can lead to some interface elements becoming unclickable or falling off the screen. Returning to factory settings may require resetting data or re-entering a command with the default value.
Using folders to optimize space
Before creating an endless number of new desktops, it is worth thinking about organizing existing ones. Folders is a powerful tool in Android 8 that allows you to group applications by topic. This frees up space on the home screen and makes navigation more logical.
Creating a folder is very simple. Drag one application icon directly onto another icon with a similar purpose. The system will automatically create a container and prompt you to enter a group name. You can place up to 15-20 applications inside, while taking up the space of just one icon on the desktop.
Folders in Android 8 support content preview. When you click on a folder, it expands, showing all the nested applications. This allows you to keep only the most important on the first screen, and put minor apps into thematic groups on subsequent pages.
| Type of organization | Advantages | Disadvantages | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual icons | Instant access with one touch | Quickly fill the screen | For 5-7 most common applications |
| Folders | Saving space, structured | Requires an extra touch to open | For social networks, games, utilities |
| Widgets | Display information without launching | Take up a lot of space (2x2, 4x2) | For weather, calendar, music |
| Multiple tables | Visual separation of tasks | Increases icon search time | For separation of "Work" and "Entertainment" |
The use of folders in combination with proper distribution across desktops creates a balanced navigation system. You shouldn’t try to fit everything on one page, but scattering icons across ten different screens is also ineffective.
Tip: Keep folder names short and clear. Use emoji in folder names for visual reference, such as “🎮 Games” or “💼 Work.”
Third-party launchers for advanced features
If the standard Android 8 interface seems too limited to you, installing a third-party launcher is the solution. Application stores offer dozens of options that give full control over the number of desktops, their appearance and behavior.
Popular options, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher, allow you to explicitly set the number of pages, disable their automatic creation, or, conversely, loop scrolling (when the first table immediately follows the last table). This provides flexibility not available in stock firmware.
When installing a new launcher, the system will ask you to confirm whether to use it as the default application. After this you will have access to advanced settings. In the Desktop -> Advanced section you can often find a "Preview" or "Add Page" option, which works as a button rather than via drag and drop.
However, it is worth considering that third-party launchers consume more RAM. On devices with 2 GB of RAM and entry-level processors, this may lead to system slowdown or frequent interface reboots.
⚠️ Attention: When changing the launcher, the arrangement of icons may become confused. Before installing a new shell, it is recommended to make a backup copy of the current layout if your current launcher supports this function (for example, through the cloud or a local file).
Some manufacturers block the ability to install third-party launchers at the system level, especially in budget models. In such cases, you may need to obtain root access, which is not recommended for ordinary users for security reasons.
Fixing problems with page creation
There are situations when dragging an icon to the edge of the screen does not create a new desktop. This could be caused by several reasons, from a software glitch to accessibility settings. First, check to see if the mode is enabled. In the launcher settings there may be a checkbox for “Lock Layout”. In this mode, moving, deleting and adding icons is prohibited. Uncheck this box to restore the ability to edit.
First, check if the mode is enabled Desktop lock. In the launcher settings there may be a checkbox for “Lock Layout”. In this mode, moving, deleting and adding icons is prohibited. Uncheck this box to restore editing capabilities.
Secondly, make sure that there is enough free memory on your device. Although rare, a critical lack of storage space may prevent new interface configurations from being saved. Clear the launcher cache through the menu Settings -> Applications -> Launcher -> Memory -> Clear cache.
If the problem persists, try rebooting the device. This resets temporary GUI processes. As a last resort, you can reset the launcher settings to factory settings, but this will return the desktop to its original state, and you will have to re-arrange the widgets.
The main reason for the inability to add a page is the enabled layout locking or a failure in the launcher process, which can be resolved by clearing the cache or rebooting.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete unnecessary desktops on Android 8?
Yes, you can only delete empty pages. To do this, you need to go to editing mode (pinch with two fingers or long press on an empty space), find the thumbnail of the empty screen and drag it to the trash bin or click on the cross if it is provided by the interface of your launcher.
Why does the widget not fit on the new desktop?
Widgets have a fixed minimum grid size. If there are not enough free cells on the new desktop (for example, the widget requires 4x2, but only 2x2 is free), the system will not allow it to be placed. Free up more space or choose a smaller widget.
How to return to the standard desktop after installing a third-party launcher?
Go to Settings -> Applications, find the installed third-party launcher and click Clear default data or Delete. After that, when you press the "Home" button, the system will prompt you to select the application again - select the system launcher.
Does it affect the number of desktops on the speed of the phone?
The mere fact of having 10 or 20 pages does not affect the speed. However, if these pages contain “heavy” widgets with constant data updates (news, weather, stock market), this can increase battery consumption and processor load.
Is it possible to make the desktop transparent?
This cannot be done using standard Android 8 tools. Transparency of the desktop background is available only in some third-party launchers or when using special live wallpapers that simulate transparency.