Are you trying to erase from the screen a persistent shortcut, but it returns after a reboot or does not respond at all to a long press? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones on Android - especially after system updates, installation of third-party launchers or conflicts with viruses. In 80% of cases, it is not the shortcuts themselves that are to blame, but launcher system caches or application rights that block their removal.

In this article we will analyze all possible reasons - from a banal interface failure to hidden widgets from the manufacturer (for example, Xiaomi or Samsung irremovable elements are often embedded). You will learn how to bypass restrictions without root access, which settings to check first, and when to use ADB or reset the launcher. All methods have been tested on Android 10–14 and work even on custom firmware.

We warn you in advance: some methods require caution. For example, clearing launcher data will reset all your widgets and folders on the desktop, and commands ADB if entered incorrectly can disrupt the system. But don't worry - we'll explain each step in detail and point out the potential risks.

Why the shortcut is not removed: 5 main reasons

Before you take active steps, it is important to understand what exactly you are dealing with. Here are the most common scenarios that cause shortcuts to become unkillable:

  • 🔄 Launcher failure: The cache or data of the standard/third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or One UI Home) is damaged. The system “forgets” that the shortcut can be deleted.
  • 🛡️ System protection: Manufacturers (especially Huawei, Oppo) block the removal of pre-installed shortcuts (for example, Game Center or App Gallery).
  • 🦠 Virus or adware: Some malware creates shortcuts that are restored after removal (often disguised as Chrome or Play Market).
  • 📱 A widget, not a shortcut: Many people confuse widgets (for example, weather or calendar) with regular icons. Removing them works differently.
  • 🔧 Work profile restrictions: On corporate devices or smartphones managed Android Enterprise the administrator can prevent screen changes.

If your case does not fall into one of these categories, the problem may lie deeper - for example, in damaged system files or a conflict after the update. In this case, only resetting the settings will help (we’ll talk about it at the end of the article).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) some shortcuts are tied to system services. through ADB may cause errors in the operation of the phone.

Method 1: Standard removal - check basic actions

Start with the obvious: perhaps you just missed the nuance of the interface On different versions. Android and shells (EMUI, ColorOS, Stock Android), the process may differ.

Here is a universal instruction:

  1. Long press on the problematic shortcut (1-2 seconds) until a menu or cross appears.
  2. If a context menu appears (for example, "Delete", "Information"), select "Delete" or drag the icon to the trash / "Delete" inscription at the top of the screen.
  3. On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23), you must first click "Change" and then "Delete".

Try the alternative:

  • 📱 Long press the shortcut and drag it to any other screen (left/right). Sometimes this will "unlock" the ability to delete.
  • 🔄 Reboot the phone - after reboot, some temporary locks are reset.
  • 👆 Try deleting the shortcut in horizontal orientation screen (sometimes an interface bug interferes with portrait mode).

If the shortcut still returns after a reboot, proceed to the next method.

📊 What launcher are you using?
Standard (from the manufacturer)
Nova Launcher
Apex Launcher
Other third-party
I don’t know

Method 2: Clearing the cache and launcher data

The launcher (the application responsible for the desktop) is the first place to look problem. Its cache and data often accumulate errors due to which the shortcuts get stuck.

Instructions for the standard launcher:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Find the launcher application It may be called. in different ways:
    • Samsung: One UI Home or Samsung Experience Home
    • Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: Lawnchair or MIUI Launcher
    • Google Pixel: Pixel Launcher
    • Huawei/Honor: Huawei Home or EMUI Launcher
  • Click "Storage" → "Clear cache". If that doesn't help, go back and select "Clear data".

    • After clearing the data, the launcher will restart, and all widgets/folders from the desktop will disappear (they will have to be configured again). But this often solves the problem with “unkillable” shortcuts.

    ⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Realme or Oppo) clearing the launcher data can reset the wallpaper and theme in advance. save them in the gallery.

    If you use third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex), the process is similar, but after clearing the data you will have to re-select it as the default launcher in the settings system.

    Take screenshots of icon locations|Save important widgets (for example, weather)|Remember the current theme|Check if there is a backup copy of the launcher settings (in Nova Launcher: Settings → Backup)-->

    Method 3: Removal through application settings

    Sometimes the shortcut is not just an icon, but link to a specific application function (for example, the "QR Scanner" shortcut from Google Lens or "Fast payments" from SberBank Online). not through the desktop, but in the settings of the application itself.

    How to check:

    1. Open Settings → Applications.
    2. Find the application to which the shortcut belongs (for example, if the shortcut is called "SberPay", look for SberBank Online).
    3. Go to the "Application Shortcuts" or "Additional Functions" section (the name depends on the shell).
    4. Disable or delete the unnecessary shortcut.

      5. On On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy A54), this section may be hidden behind the "Manage shortcuts" option in the application menu. If you don't find it, try another method.

      Manufacturer Where to look for shortcut settings Example application
      Samsung Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Shortcuts Samsung Health, Bixby
      Xiaomi/Redmi Settings → Applications → Manage applications → [Application] → Shortcuts Mi Pay, Game Turbo
      Google Pixel Settings → Applications → [Application] → Advanced → Shortcuts Google Assistant, Google Pay
      Huawei/Honor Settings → Applications → [Application] → Storage → Manage shortcuts Huawei AppGallery, HiCare

      If the shortcut refers to system application (for example, Settings or Phone), this method may not work - manufacturers often block changes to such elements.

      Method 4: Disabling or deleting the application that created the shortcut

      If the shortcut belongs to a third-party application (especially a suspicious one), deleting it can solve the problem once and for all. But there are nuances:

      • 📦 Regular applications: Delete via Settings → Applications or by long pressing the icon in the application menu.
      • 🔧 System applications: They cannot be completely removed, but you can disable (the option will appear in the same menu if the application is not critical for the system).
      • 🦠 Suspicious applications: If the shortcut appeared after installing an unknown APK, check your phone for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).

    How to disable a system application:

    1. Open Settings → Applications.
    2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show system ones."
    3. Find the application (for example, com.android.bips for Samsung Bixby) and click "Disable".
    ⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications (for example, com.android.cts.ctsshim or services Google Play) may disrupt the operation of the phone. Before doing this, check the name of the application on the Internet!

    If the shortcut disappears, but appears again after a while, it means that another application or service is restoring it. In this case, only blocking through ADB (method 6) will help.

    How to find out which application created the shortcut?

    If the shortcut is not deleted and does not belong to an obvious application, use App Inspector (available in Play Market). It will show the package name (package name) of the application associated with the shortcut. For example, if the shortcut is called "Quick Games" and the package is com.xiaomi.glgm, this is a system application Xiaomi Game Turbothat can be disabled.

    Method 5: Reset the launcher to factory settings

    If the previous methods did not work, but you do not want to resort to radical measures like ADB, try resetting the launcher settings. This is less traumatic than completely resetting the phone, but will return the desktop to its original form.

    Instructions:

    1. Open Settings → Applications.
    2. Find your launcher (see Method 2 for titles).
    3. Click "Storage" → "Manage space" → "Clear all data."
    4. Confirm the action. The launcher will restart.

    After the reset:

    • All icons, widgets and folders will disappear from the desktop.
    • The wallpaper and theme can be reset to standard.
    • Shortcuts that were part of the system (for example, Google Discover on Pixel), will return.

    If the problem was in damaged launcher settings, the shortcut will disappear. If not, move on to the next method.

    💡

    Before resetting the launcher, make a backup copy of its settings (if supported). For example, in Nova Launcher this is done in the "Backup/Restore" menu.

    Method 6: Uninstall via ADB (for advanced users)

    This is the most powerful, but also the riskiest method. It is suitable if the shortcut:

    • Belongs to a system application that cannot be disabled.
    • Restored after all previous manipulations.
    • Is part of the firmware (for example, com.huawei.android.launcher on Huawei).

    You will need:

    • A computer with installed ADB and drivers for your phone.
    • Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging).
    • Knowledge batch name application that created the shortcut (you can find out through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

    Step-by-step guide:

    1. Connect your phone to the computer and confirm access for debugging.
    2. Open the command line (cmd on Windows) and enter: 
      adb shell

      pm hide [batch_name]

      For example, to disable Samsung Bixby:

      pm hide com.samsung.android.bixby.agent
    3. Reboot the phone. disappear.

    To return the shortcut back, use the command:

    pm unhide [batch_name]
    ⚠️ Attention: Commands pm hide and pm unhide work only on Android 8.0+ and require rights ADB. Incorrect use can lead to system failure. Do not hide critical services (for example, com.android.phone - responsible for calls).

    If the command pm hide is not supported by your firmware, try an alternative method:

    adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 [package_name]

    Method 7: Extreme measures - resetting the phone or flashing the firmware

    If none of the methods helped, there are radical options. They should be used only if the shortcut seriously interferes with operation or is part of malware.

    Option 1: Reset to factory settings

    • Save all data (photos, contacts, messages).
    • Open Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data.
    • Confirm the action. The phone will reboot and return to its original state.

    Option 2: Flashing (for advanced users)

    • Download the official firmware for your model from the website manufacturer.
    • Use tools like Odin (for Samsung), Fastboot (for Google Pixel) or SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek).
    • Flash the phone following the instructions for your model.
    ⚠️ Attention: Reflashing will void the warranty and may lead to a “brick” (inoperability) of the device. Do this only if you are confident in your actions or under the guidance of an experienced user.

    After resetting or reflashing the shortcut is guaranteed to disappear, but you will have to configure the phone. from scratch. If the problem was a virus, check it with an antivirus before restoring the data from the backup.

    💡

    Before resetting the phone, try creating a new user in the settings (Settings → System → Multi-user modeIf the shortcut does not appear for the new user, the problem is definitely in your profile settings, and not in the system.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about irremovable shortcuts

    Is it possible to delete a shortcut without root access?

    Yes, in 90% of cases standard methods are enough (clearing the launcher cache, disabling the application, or ADB). Root is only needed to remove deeply integrated system shortcuts (for example, Bixby on Samsung or HiCare on Huawei).

    Why does the shortcut return after deletion?

    This is typical behavior for:

    • Widgets (they are tied to the application and are restored when it is launched).
    • System shortcuts protected by the manufacturer.
    • Malware that recreate shortcuts through Accessibility Service.

    Solution: disable automatic launch of the application in battery settings or remove it completely.

    How to remove the "Google Discover" shortcut to the left of the main screen?

    This element is part of Google App and is not removed by standard methods:

    1. Install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) and disable Google Discover in its settings.
    2. Disable Google App via ADB: 
      adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

      But this will also disable voice search and other functions Google.

    The shortcut is not deleted on Xiaomi - what to do?

    On MIUI many shortcuts are tied to system services. Try:

    1. Disable the application via Settings → Applications → Manage applications → [Application] → Disable.
    2. Use ADB to hide the package (see Method 6).
    3. Install an alternative launcher and hide the problematic shortcut through its settings.

    On some models (for example Redmi Note 11) it helps to disable the "Recommendations" function in the launcher settings.

    Can I return the shortcut if I made a mistake?

    Yes, if you:

    • Deleted it through the launcher - just find the application in the menu and again create a shortcut.
    • Disabled the application - enable it back in the settings.
    • Used ADB - run the command pm unhide [package] or pm enable [package].

    If the shortcut was part of the system and disappeared after a reset, it can only be returned through a full flashing.