How to move icons from one table to another on Android: all methods

The desktop Android is not just a background image, but a dynamic space that can be customized to suit your needs. Many users are faced with the need move icons between screensto optimize access to frequently used applications or simply organize the chaos of shortcuts. However, not everyone knows that transfer methods depend on launcher (interface shell) installed on the device.

Standard launchers from Samsung, Xiaomi, Google or Huawei offer basic icon management functions, but often limit the user's flexibility. On the other hand, third-party skins like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Lawnchair expand the capabilities by adding gestures, app groups, and even layout backups. In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from simple drag and drop to hidden functions that are not written about in official instructions.

1. Standard method: dragging with your finger

The most obvious method is holding an icon followed by moving to another screen. It works on most smartphones with a factory shell (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS etc.), but there are nuances that few people know about.

To transfer an icon:

• 👆 Tap on the application icon or shortcut and hold it 1–2 seconds until it “comes unstuck” from the table.
• 📱 Without releasing your finger, move the icon to the edge of the screen (left or right). After 0.5–1 second, automatic scrolling to the next table will occur.
• 🎯 Release the icon in the desired place on the new screen.

If scrolling does not work, check the launcher settings: some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi) disable this function by default. In this case, go to Settings → Desktop → Switch between screens and enable the option Auto scroll.

2. Transfer through the app panel (App Drawer)

If dragging does not work or you need to transfer several icons at once, use application bar (App Drawer). This method is universal and suitable even for outdated versions. data-i="70">Find the desired application and hold its icon. Android (starting from Android 5.0 Lollipop).

Algorithm of actions:

1. Open the app drawer (usually by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or tapping the All apps icon).
2. Find the application you want and hold its icon.
3. Drag the icon to any desktop (including a new one if it is empty).
4. If you need to move to another screen, first place the icon on the current desktop, and then move it using the method from first section.

This method is especially useful if you want create a duplicate icon on another screen without deleting the original.For example, you can place Google Maps both on the main screen and on a separate table with navigation applications.

What to do if the application panel does not open?

If swiping up does not work, check the gestures in the launcher settings. On some firmware (for example, EMUI from Huawei), the panel opens by clicking on the "Dot" or "Circle" icon in dock panel.

3. Using folders for group transfer

When you need to move several icons at once, create a temporary folder.. This technique saves time and reduces the risk of errors when manually transferring each shortcut.

Instructions:

• 📁 Drag one icon onto another to create a folder (name it, for example, "For transfer").
• 🔄 Add all the icons you want to transfer to the folder.
• 🚀 Hold the folder and drag it to desired desktop.
• 🗑️ Open the folder on a new screen and extract the icons back (drag them outside the folder).

The advantage of the method is that you can save the order of the icons inside the folder. For example, if you had applications in order on one desktop. WhatsApp → Telegram → Viber, they will remain in the same order after transfer.

⚠️ Attention: On some launchers (for example, POCO Launcher), folders are automatically sorted alphabetically. To avoid shuffling, disable auto-sorting in the settings. folders.

4. Transfer through launcher settings (for advanced users)

Standard launchers rarely offer advanced icon management options, but third-party shells (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) allow edit the table layout manually. This is useful if you need to transfer icons to a screen that has not yet been created.

Example for Nova Launcher:

1. Hold an empty space on the desktop and select Settings.
2. Go to Desktop → Manage desktops.
3. Add a new table (if necessary) or select an existing one.
4. Go back to the main screen, hold the icon and in the context menu, select Edit.
5. In the field Desktop indicate the screen number where you want to move the icon.

In Apex Launcher a similar function is called Settings → Desktop settings → Table editor. Here you can not only move icons, but also adjust the number of rows/columns, cell sizes, and even hide individual screens.

Launcher	Path to transfer settings	Does group transfer support?
Nova Launcher	Settings → Desktop → Manage desktops	Yes (via backup copying)
Apex Launcher	Settings → Desktop settings → Table editor	No
Lawnchair	Settings → Desktop → Table settings	Yes (via JSON config)
One UI (Samsung)	Settings → Home screen → Home screen layout	No

⚠️ Attention: When manually editing the layout via JSON files (as in Lawnchair) there is a risk of damaging launcher configuration. Before making changes, create a backup in the menu Settings → Backup.

5. Transfer using gestures (for launchers with support)

Some shells (for example, Microsoft Launcher or Action Launcher) support gestures for controlling icons. This speeds up the transfer, especially if you have many desktops.

Example of settings in Microsoft Launcher:

• 👉 Go to Settings → Gestures data-i="145">📲 Now, while holding the icon, you can swipe left/right to quickly move between tables without waiting for auto-scrolling. Settings → Gestures.
• 🔄 Enable the option Swipe up for app drawer And Swipe down to search.
• 📲 Now, while holding the icon, you can swipe left/right to quickly move between tables without waiting for autoscroll.

In Action Launcher there is a unique function Quickpage —a hidden desktop, accessible by swiping from the right edge. You can move there. icons that are rarely needed, but should be at hand.

Make sure that the launcher supports gestures

Enable the necessary gestures in the settings

Check the sensitivity of swipes

Create a backup copy of the layout (optional)-->

6. Transferring icons via ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware or devices with a limited launcher), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method requires connecting a smartphone to a PC and basic command line knowledge. data-i="156">Basic steps:

Basic steps:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times to unlock developer mode), then return to Settings → System → For developers.
2. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command:

   adb shell pm list packages -f

   to see a list of all applications and their paths.

3. To transfer the icon to another table, use the command (example for Nova Launcher):

   adb shell am start -n com.teslacoilsw.launcher/.NovaLauncher -e action add_item -e itemType application -e packageName com.example.app -e screen 2 -e cellX 1 -e cellY 0

   where screen 2 is the screen number, and cellX and cellY are the cell coordinates.

This method is suitable for automating or restoring the layout after resetting the settings. However, it requires precise knowledge of the launcher structure and may not work for everyone. shells.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB can lead to malfunctions of the launcher. Before experiments, create a backup copy of your data via adb backup.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users encounter difficulties. Here are the most common of them and ways to solve them:

• 🚫 The icon is not dragged: Check if it is blocked by the launcher (for example, some system applications cannot move). Try holding the icon longer (up to 3 seconds). MIUI Some system applications cannot be moved). Try holding the icon longer (up to 3 seconds).
• 🔄 Auto-scroll does not work: Enable it in the launcher settings or update the shell to the latest version.
• 📱 Icons are returned to their place: This may be related. with the "Layout protection" function (for example, in One UI). Disable it in Settings → Home screen → Layout protection.
• 🗑️ Icons disappeared after transfer: They may have ended up in a folder or on a hidden desktop Check everything. screens and table visibility settings.

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings to standard. To do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Find your launcher (for example Nova Launcher) and select Storage → Clear data.
3. Reboot the device.

This will return the table layout to factory settings, but will not delete it itself applications.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Is it possible to transfer icons between desktops on Android without a launcher?

No, desktops and icon management are a function of the launcher. Even the “standard” Android interface is a built-in launcher (for example, Pixel Launcher on Google Pixel). Without it, the system will not be able to display desktops. However, you can install another launcher from Google Play and transfer the icons already in it.

Why did the icons scatter across the desktops after updating Android?

With major updates. system (for example, from Android 11 to Android 12) the launcher may reset the layout due to changes in the data storage structure. To avoid this, before updating:

1. Take screenshots of the icon locations.
2. Use the backup function. launcher (if it exists, as in Nova Launcher).
3. Synchronize settings with your Google account (does not work on all launchers).

If the icons are already scattered, use the methods in this article to organize them.

How to transfer icons from one Android device to another?

To do this, you need the backup function of the launcher. For example, in Nova Launcher:

1. Open Settings → Backup/Restore.
2. Create a backup copy of the layout.
3. Transfer the file backup copy to a new device (for example, via Google Drive).
4. Install Nova Launcher on a new device and restore the layout from the file.

For standard launchers there is usually no such function - you will have to transfer icons manually.

Is it possible to create a shortcut for transfer icons?

There is no direct shortcut for this function, but you can use:

• Launcher widgets: Some shells (for example, Apex Launcher) allow you to add a widget for quick access to table settings.
• Tasker or MacroDroid: Using these applications, you can create an automatic task for moving icons according to a schedule or gesture. For example, the macro "When double-clicking on the screen, move Chrome to the second table."
• Voice commands: If your launcher supports integration With Google Assistant, you can set up a command like “Okay, Google, move WhatsApp to the third screen."

Why can’t you move system application icons on some launchers?

Manufacturers often block the movement of system applications (for example Settings, Phone, Messages) for:

• Preventing accidental deletion of critical functions.
• Compliance with corporate standards (for example, on devices for business).
• Ensuring stability of the firmware (some applications are tied to certain system processes).

You can bypass this limitation:

• By installing a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), which ignores such locks.
• By obtaining root access and editing the launcher configuration files (risky method).
• By creating a duplicate icon via the "Shortcut" widget applications" (available in the widget menu).