Smartphone personalization begins with the desktop, since this is the first thing you see after unlocking the device. Owners of devices Honorworking on the Android operating system with shell MagicOShave ample opportunities to change the appearance of the interface. Proper configuration allows you not only to make the menu aesthetic, but also to significantly increase the speed of access to frequently used applications.
Unlike many other manufacturers, Honor offers a flexible space management system, allowing you to change the density of icons and the style of displaying content. Customizing the main screen does not require root access or installation of third-party launchers, since the built-in shell tools fully cover the basic needs of users customization.
Before taking active steps, it is worth understanding the logic of the system. Any changes you make are saved automatically, allowing you to experiment without fear of breaking something. Below we will look at all the available methods for optimizing the workspace of your gadget.
Basic desktop settings
To start working with the interface, you need to go to the corresponding settings menu. This can be done in two ways: through the system options menu or through the context menu of the desktop itself. The second option is much faster and more convenient for quick changes.
To open the editing menu, you need to make a long press (tap and hold) with your finger on any free area of the screen where there are no application icons. A lower toolbar will appear with Widgets, Cards, Transition Effects, and Settings available. It is the last item that opens access to deep system parameters.
In the menu that opens, you will see several key switches responsible for the behavior of the interface. Display options include selecting the grid size, the ability to hide unused pages, and setting the automatic addition of new icons.
- 📱 Style: choose between the standard icon look and an alternative style with rounded corners.
- 🔍 Search: enable or disable the Google or Honor Search bar at the top of the screen.
- 🔄 Rotation: allow or disable desktop rotation when changing position of the device in space.
⚠️ Attention: Changing the grid size may lead to displacement of already installed widgets. After changing the configuration, it is recommended to check the location of important controls.
Particular attention should be paid to the function of automatically adding new applications. By default, the system may place all downloaded apps on the main screen, which quickly creates visual noise. Disabling this option in the menu Settings → Home screen and notification panel will allow you to keep the start page clean, and new applications will only appear in the "All applications" menu.
Managing widgets and service cards
One of the most powerful sides of the shell MagicOS is advanced work with widgets. They allow you to display relevant information directly on your desktop, bypassing the need to launch applications. These could be exchange rates, weather, an event calendar or a music track player.
To add a new element, you need to call up the editing menu (long tap on an empty space) and select "Widgets". The system will offer a long list of available modules, sorted alphabetically or by frequency of use. Some widgets have several sizes that you can select before installation.
Service Widgets, which appeared in newer versions of Android on Honor, deserve special mention. They are interactive tiles that you can swipe up to get more information. For example, a weather card can show an hourly forecast, and a voice recorder card can start recording with one touch.
Widgets can be placed in any free space on the grid, but the system has a smart “smart stack” function. If you place one widget on top of another, they will be stacked and switched by vertical swipe or automatically rotated. This saves precious screen space.
- 🌤️ Informativeness: widgets show data in real time without opening applications.
- 🎨 Design: many widgets support changing the color scheme to match the wallpaper.
- 📏 Scalability: possibility stretch widgets to 2x2, 4x2 or 4x4 cells.
Use folder widgets to group frequently used applications. Create a folder, add apps to it, and then click on the folder name and select "Add as widget." This will create a direct link to a specific folder on your desktop.
Organizing icons and creating folders
Order on your desktop is the key to productivity. Chaotically scattered icons not only look unsightly, but also force you to spend extra seconds searching for the desired app. On smartphones Honor the process of organizing files is as simplified and intuitive as possible.
To create a folder, just drag one application icon on top of another. The system will automatically create a container with the name suggested by category (for example, “Social networks” or “Games”). You can rename a folder by simply touching the text field with the name.
Inside the folder, you can change the arrangement of elements, and also move the most important applications outside the folder directly to the desktop in the form of separate shortcuts. This is implemented through the mechanism of “pushing” an icon from an open folder.
| Action | Execution method | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Creating a folder | Dragging an icon onto icon | Grouping applications |
| Renaming | Tap on folder name | Change title |
| Change size | Long tap on folder → Edit | Change folder grid |
| Display style | Settings → Style | Round or square icons |
An important aspect is icon style. In the desktop settings, you can choose whether all icons will be forced into a circle, square, or have the original shape specified by the application developer. This globally changes the perception of the interface.
⚠️ Attention: When changing the theme in the "Themes" application, the icon style can be replaced by the one set by the theme author, ignoring your previous form settings.
Customizing the notification panel and controls
Although technically not part of the desktop, the control panel (shutter) is closely related to the overall ergonomics of the smartphone. Honor devices have a double curtain system: one for notifications, the other for quick settings, or combined, depending on the selected mode.
In the settings section Notifications and control panel you can change the way the menu is called up. You can choose whether to swipe down to directly open the switch panel or the notification center. For many users, it is more convenient when swiping on the left side of the screen opens notifications, and on the right - settings.
☑️ Checking ergonomics
The appearance of the brightness and volume sliders is also adjusted here. Some users prefer to see them always expanded, others prefer to see them collapsed. These little things significantly affect the daily experience of using the device.
Don't forget about editing the quick settings tiles. By pulling the curtain all the way down and clicking on the edit icon (usually a pencil or three dots), you can add, remove or move buttons for turning on the flashlight, Bluetooth, hotspot and other functions.
- 🔔 Sorting: priority notifications can be placed in a separate block.
- 👁️ Hide: sensitive content of notifications can be hidden on the locked screen.
- 🛠️ Customization: Changing the color of accents in the control panel through the theme settings.
Animations, wallpapers and visual effects
The visual component is what makes using a smartphone enjoyable. The shell MagicOS offers a wide selection of live wallpapers and transition effects between desktop pages. Dynamic wallpapers respond to device tilts or touches, creating the effect of depth.
Transition effects determine how exactly pages will change when swiping. This can be a simple pan, cube, dissolve or scale. You can find these settings in the desktop editing menu by selecting "Transition Effects".
To save battery power and eyes in the dark, it is recommended to use a dark theme. It is activated in the menu Settings → Screen and brightness → Dark theme. In this mode, black color becomes dominant, which is especially true for AMOLED screens, which most Honor flagships are equipped with.
Secrets of live wallpapers
Live wallpapers consume more energy than static images. If you notice that your smartphone begins to discharge faster after installing a dynamic background, try turning off the “Response to touch” effect in the wallpaper settings or choose a more static option.
It is also worth mentioning the “Rotating lock screen” (Magazine Unlock) feature. It allows you to change the wallpaper on your lock screen every time you wake up your device. Photos are loaded from the cloud or local gallery, creating a feeling of novelty.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and available effects may vary slightly depending on the version of MagicOS (2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and higher) and the specific smartphone model. Some animations may not be available on entry-level devices due to performance limitations.
Frequently asked questions and problem solving
During the setup process, users often encounter common questions or situations where the interface behaves unpredictably. Below are answers to the most popular queries that will help you troubleshoot minor problems without contacting the service.
If the desktop freezes or the icons disappear, a simple reboot of the launcher most often helps. You don't have to reboot the entire phone to do this. Just go to Settings → Applications → Applications → Show system processes, find "Work screen" (or Launcher) and click "Stop" or "Clear cache".
Another common problem is the inability to delete a widget or folder. Make sure you are not in folder edit mode. To delete, you need to hold the item and drag it to the top of the screen, where the trash icon or the words “Delete” will appear.
Resetting the launcher settings to factory settings often solves problems with “floating” icons or non-working swipes, without affecting your personal data and photos.
Regularly clearing the launcher cache is useful, if you frequently install and uninstall applications. This prevents the accumulation of "garbage" entries in the desktop database and maintains a high responsiveness of the interface.
How to return the standard wallpaper if it is missing?
If the standard wallpaper has been deleted or hidden, you can restore it through the "Themes" application. Go to the "Profile" or "My Resources" section, find the "Wallpaper" item and select "Restore system wallpaper" or simply download a pack of standard Honor images from the official theme store.
Why have the icons become too big or small?
The size of the icons directly depends on the selected grid resolution. Go to desktop settings and change the configuration (for example from 5x6 to 4x5). Also, the size may change when connecting external displays or when activating the simple control mode for older people.
Is it possible to install Google Discover instead of Honor Search on the left?
Yes, in many versions of the shell this is possible. Go to your desktop settings, find "Left Screen" or "Google Discover" and turn on the switch. If there is no such option, it means that this function is temporarily unavailable for your regional firmware version or has been replaced by Huawei/Honor services.
How to make the background of folders transparent?
The transparency of the background of folders often depends on the installed theme. This is not always regulated in the standard Android/Honor settings. Try using a theme with transparent elements in the Themes application or use third-party launchers if standard tools do not give the desired visual effect.