How to combine applications into a group on Android: 5 methods for any smartphone

Is the desktop of your Android smartphone littered with application icons? Do you constantly lose the desired shortcut among dozens of others? Organizing apps into groups (folders) is an easy way to keep your Home screen organized. This feature is available on all modern versions of Android, but is implemented differently depending on the manufacturer and shell.

In this article we will look at all the possible ways to group applications: from standard tools to hidden functions and third-party solutions. You will learn how to create folders on Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, Google Pixel Launcher and other popular shells. We will also consider non-obvious techniques - for example, how to combine applications into group shortcuts without visual folders.

It doesn’t matter whether you use a smartphone on pure Android or with proprietary firmware - here there is a solution for your case. Even if your launcher doesn't support standard folder creation, we'll show workarounds. Let's start with the simplest method, which works on 90% of devices.

1. Standard method: creating a folder on the main screen

This is a basic method that is supported by almost all launchers - from standard Google Pixel Launcher to Huawei EMUI. The algorithm of actions is the same, only the visual elements of the interface differ.

To combine applications into a group:

1. Press and hold your finger on the icon of the first application that you want to add to the folder.
2. Drag it to the icon of the second application (without releasing your finger).
3. Release your finger when the second icon is highlighted - a new folder will appear.
4. Name the folder (by default, the system will suggest a name based on application categories).

Now you can add other applications to this folder by simply dragging them onto it. To rename a folder, open it and tap on the current name.

Method limitations:

• 📌 Folders are created only on the home screen, not in the application menu
• 📌 The maximum number of applications in a folder is usually 16-32 (depending on launcher)
• 📌 The appearance of folders may differ (for example, in MIUI they look like round icons)

2. Grouping applications in the "All applications" menu

Not everyone knows, but on some smartphones you can create folders not only on the desktop, but also in the general list of applications. This function is available in Samsung One UI, LG UX and some other shells.

Instructions for Samsung Galaxy:

1. Open the application menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → "Edit".
3. Select the applications you want to combine (check the boxes).
4. Click "Create a folder" at the bottom of the screen.
5. Get a name and click "Done".

On Xiaomi i Redmi a similar function is called "Categories". To activate it:

1. Open the applications menu.
2. Tap on the "Edit" icon (pencil in the upper right corner).
3. Select "Categories" → "Create new".
4. Add the desired applications and save.

What to do if there is no "Edit" option?

On some budget smartphones (for example, Tecno or Infinix), the grouping function in the application menu may be disabled. In this case, use the standard method of creating folders on the desktop or install a third-party launcher.

An important difference from folders on the desktop:

• 🔹 Such groups are displayed only in the application menu, and not on the main screen
• 🔹 You can create nested categories (on some firmware)
• 🔹 Applications remain accessible through system search

3. Using folder widgets for advanced grouping

If you don't just need to combine applications, but create interactive group shortcuts with additional functions, pay attention to folder widgets. They allow you to:

• 📱 Create folders with content preview
• 📱 Set up gestures for quick access
• 📱 Add folders to the quick access panel

For example, in Google Pixel Launcher there is a built-in "Apps Folder" widget:

1. Tap and hold an empty space on the desktop.
2. Select "Widgets" → find "Applications Folder".
3. Drag the widget onto the screen and select applications to add.

On smartphones Huawei i Honor a similar function is called “Tools Folder”. It allows you not only to group applications, but also to add contacts, websites and even notes to the folder.

Manufacturer	Function name	Max. applications in the folder	Support for subfolders
Samsung	Folders on the desktop	32	No
Xiaomi	Categories in the menu	Unlimited	Yes (up to 2 levels)
Google Pixel	Widget "Applications folder"	16	No
Huawei	Tools folder	24	Yes (with subfolders)

4. Third-party launchers for advanced grouping

If the built-in capabilities of your smartphone are limited, consider installing an alternative launcher. Popular solutions:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher — supports an unlimited number of folders, gestures, adaptive icons
• 🎨 Action Launcher — unique “scales” (shutters) for quick access to the contents of folders
• 🔧 Lawnchair — open source launcher that supports grouping by tags
• 📱 Apex Launcher — allows you to create folders in the application drawer

For example, in Nova Launcher you can:

• Create folders with gestures (swipe up/down to open)
• Adjust color and transparency folders
• Group applications according to several criteria at the same time
• Hide folders from prying eyes (with a password)

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as default launcher.
2. Tap and hold the application icon → "Edit".
3. Drag it to another icon to create a folder.
4. In the folder settings (Long press → Folder settings) configure the appearance and behavior.

Important detail: some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) limit the capabilities of third-party launchers on their devices. In this case, some grouping functions may not be available.

5. Hidden Android features for advanced users

If you're ready to dive deeper into system settings, there are several non-obvious ways to group applications:

Method 1: Using ADB to create group shortcuts

Using the ADB command, you can create special shortcuts that will open several applications at once:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.launcher3/.Folder
--es folder_name "My group"
--esla com.android.launcher3.extra.ITEM_TYPE app
--esla com.android.launcher3.extra.ITEM_PACKAGE com.example.app1
--esla com.android.launcher3.extra.ITEM_PACKAGE com.example.app2

Method 2: Setting up via Tasker

The application Tasker allows you to create complex scenarios, including group launches. For example, you can make sure that when you click on one shortcut, messenger, mail and calendar open immediately.

Method 3: Using Shortcut Maker

Utility Shortcut Maker (available in Google Play) allows you to create custom shortcuts that can launch several applications at once or perform a sequence of actions.

⚠️ Attention: changing system settings via ADB or Tasker may lead to unstable operation of the device. These methods are recommended only for experienced users who understand the consequences of their actions and have a backup copy of their data.

6. Automatic grouping by category

Some manufacturers have implemented a function to automatically sort applications by category. This eliminates the need to manually create folders.

On Samsung Galaxy s One UI 5.0+:

1. Open the application menu (swipe up).
2. Tap on the three dots → "Sorting".
3. Select "Categories" → the system will automatically group applications by type (social networks, tools, games, etc.).

On Xiaomi MIUI 14+:

1. Open the application menu.
2. Click on the filter icon (in the form of a funnel).
3. Select "Auto sort" → applications will be grouped by frequency of use and categories.

Advantages of automatic grouping:

• ✅ Saves time on manual sorting
• ✅ Categories are updated automatically when new ones are installed applications
• ✅ You can quickly find all applications of the same type (for example, all messengers)

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not always accurately determine the category of the application
• ❌ You cannot configure your own categories
• ❌ In some shells, automatic groups cannot be renamed

⚠️ Attention: on smartphones with a small amount of RAM (less than 3 GB), automatic sorting may cause short-term slowdowns in the interface when first launched.

7. Grouping through Google account settings

Few people know, but Google offers a tool for managing applications through your account. This allows you to create groups of applications that will be synchronized between devices.

How it works:

1. Open Google Play Store.
2. Go to "Library" → "Manage applications and devices."
3. Select the "Manage" tab.
4. Here you will see automatic collections (for example, "Recently installed", "Recommended").
5. Click "Create a collection" → add the required applications.

Restrictions method:

• 🔸 Collections are displayed only in Google Play, not on the desktop
• 🔸 You cannot create nested groups
• 🔸 Synchronization only works between devices with the same Google account

However, this method is useful if you frequently reinstall the system or use multiple Android devices. Collections will help you quickly find and install the desired groups of applications on your new smartphone.

8. Solving problems with grouping applications

Sometimes errors occur when trying to create a folder or group. Let's look at typical problems and their solutions:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Cannot create a folder on the desktop	The launcher does not support this function	Install a third-party launcher (Nova, Action Launcher)
The folder disappears after reboot	Launcher cache failure	Clear the launcher cache in application settings
All applications in the folder are not displayed	Limit the launcher to the number of elements	Split into several folders or use a widget
Automatic sorting does not work correctly	Categories are incorrectly defined applications	Manually edit the categories in the launcher settings

If none of the methods work:

1. Check if your device has "Light Load Mode" (it may disable some interface features).
2. Update the firmware device to the latest version.
3. Reset the launcher settings to standard (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Reset settings).

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to create a folder inside another folder (subfolders)?

On most smartphones, subfolders cannot be created, with the exception of some shells (for example, EMUI on Huawei) and third-party launchers like Nova Launcher with a plugin Nova Launcher Prime.

Workaround: create separate folders with similar names (for example, “Social networks” and “Social networks are rare”).

How to move the application folder to another screen?

Tap and hold a folder, then drag it to the edge of the screen. When the next desktop appears, release your finger. On some launchers, you need to first go to the target screen and then drag the folder.

If dragging doesn't work, try:

1. Open folder
2. Click on its name (at the top)
3. Select "Move" in the context menu

Why can't some applications be added to the folder?

This can happen for several reasons:

• The application is system and is blocked from modifications
• The launcher restricts adding widgets or shortcuts to folders
• The application has special permissions (for example, Google Play Services)

Solution: try creating a folder in a different way (for example, through a widget) or use a third-party launcher.

How to backup folders with applications?

Standard Android tools do not allow you to save the folder structure. But there are workarounds:

1. Use a launcher with a backup function (for example, Nova Launcher → "Backup and Restore").
2. Do it screenshots of the desktop with markup.
3. Write down the names of the folders and the list of applications in them in a text file.

After resetting or reinstalling the system, you will have to restore the folders manually.

Is it possible to hide the folder with applications from strangers?

Yes, there are several ways:

1. Use a launcher with a hiding function (for example, Apex Launcher or Nova Launcher with a plugin Hide Apps).
2. Place the folder on a separate desktop and disable swipe gestures in the settings launcher.
3. Install an application to hide icons (for example, Nova Hide Apps or App Hider).

Some smartphones (for example, Xiaomi) have a built-in "Hidden Applications" feature in the security settings.