How to open an application on an Android smartphone: all methods from menus to voice commands

Have you just installed a new application on your Androidsmartphone, but can’t find it? Or have old apps suddenly disappeared from your home screen? You may not even realize that your device has several ways to launch applications - from the classic tap on an icon to voice commands and gestures. In this article we will analyze all the current methods, including those that work even if the screen is broken or if the application is frozen in the background.

Modern versions Android (starting from Android 10 and later) offer flexible interface settings, but many users still use only 1-2 methods out of all available. Meanwhile, knowledge of alternative methods will help save time - for example, when you need to quickly open navigator in a car or run messenger with one hand. And if your smartphone suddenly starts to glitch, these instructions will become a lifeline. data-i="43">etc.) or version Samsung, Xiaomi or Google Pixel suddenly started to “glitch”, these instructions will become a lifeline.

Important: Some methods may differ depending on shell manufacturer (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.) or versions Android. If your device runs on Android 8.0 and lower, some functions may be missing.

1. Classic method: launch from the main screen or application menu

The most obvious method is to click on the application icon. But even here there are nuances that many are not aware of. For example, on Android you can configure the display of applications so that they are always at hand, and not “disappear” in the depths of the menu.

To open an application in the standard way:

• 📱 Find the application icon on home screen (if it is there) and tap it one times. Most smartphones (Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi, Realme) support the function double tap to quickly launch the last used application.
• 🔍 If the icon is not on the main screen, swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen (or click on the dots/squares icon in the dock) to open menu of all applications. Here the apps are sorted alphabetically or by category (depending on the shell).
• 📁 On some smartphones (for example, Huawei s EMUI) applications by hidden in folders by default. To see them all, you may need to tap the tab All apps or App Drawer.
• ⚙️ If an app has “disappeared” from the menu, check to see if it's hidden in Settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Hidden applications (path may vary).

Advice for owners Samsung: in the shell One UI you can customize the display Dock panel (bottom bar with frequently used applications) even in the all apps menu. To do this, hold down an empty space on the main screen → Home screen settings → Dock panel → Show in application menu.

⚠️ Attention: If after the update Android applications stop appears, try resetting the launcher settings. To do this, hold down an empty space on the main screen → Settings → Reset settings. This will not delete the data, but will return the default icon layout.

2. Quick search: how to find and open an application in 2 seconds

Don’t want to scroll through the menu looking for the app you need? All modern versions Android have a built-in one search barthat searches not only on the Internet, but also among installed applications. This method is especially convenient if you have many apps installed (100+).

How to use the search:

• 🔎 Swipe your finger down the center of the main screen (on most smartphones) or tap the search bar at the top of the screen. In the shell MIUI (Xiaomi, POCO, Redmi), the search bar may be in the dock.
• 📝 Start typing the name of the application. The system will show results after 2-3 letters. For example, for Telegram just enter “tel”.
• 🚀 Tap the desired application in the search results to open it. On some devices (for example Google Pixel) you can use voice search - just say “Hey Google, open .”
• 🔄 If search does not find the application, check if it is disabled in the settings. Go to Settings → Google → Search and Now → Search on device.

On smartphones Samsung s One UI the search bar can be replaced with Bixby. To return the standard search Google, hold down an empty space on the main screen → Settings → Search bar → Google.

Manufacturer	How to launch a search	Features
Google Pixel, Android One	Swipe down on the main screen or tap on the search bar	Supports voice search without activating “Ok Google”
Samsung (One UI)	Swipe down or swipe right on the main screen	Can be replaced by Bixby (customizable)
Xiaomi, POCO, Redmi (MIUI)	Swipe down or tap on a line in the dock panel	Also searches in settings and contacts
Huawei, Honor (EMUI/Magic UI)	Swipe down or click on the magnifying glass in the dock panel	Supports searching through application content (for example, in notes)

3. Voice assistant: opening applications without hands

If your hands are busy or you are driving, voice commands will be the ideal solution. On Android there are two main assistants: Google Assistant (installed by default on most devices) and Bixby (on smartphones Samsung). Both can launch applications by voice command, but the setup is different.

How to set up and use voice launch:

• 🎤 For Google Assistant:
  1. Say "Okay, Google" or press the button Home (on older smartphones).
  2. Say: "Open [application name]". For example: “Open Yandex Navigator.”
  3. If the assistant does not recognize the name, try saying it in English (for example, “Open WhatsApp»).

🤖 For Bixby (Samsung):

1. Press and hold button Bixby (usually on the left) or say “Hi, Bixby.”
2. Say: “Launch [application name]».
3. If Bixby does not understand the command, train it in the menu Settings Bixby → Voice commands.

⚙️ To make the voice assistant work in any mode (even when the screen is off), go to Settings → Google → Settings for Assistant → Voice Match and turn on the option "Recognition is always».

On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ the voice assistant may conflict with the proprietary “Voice Search” function. If the commands do not work, disable it in Settings. → Advanced → Voice Search.

⚠️ Attention: Voice assistants require access to the microphone and may be accidentally activated in your pocket. To avoid this, disable the “Always recognized” option or add a voice confirmation (for example, the phrase “I confirm”).

4. Gestures and hotkeys: launch applications in one click

Many users do not know that Android can be assigned gestures or button combinations to quickly launch applications. This is convenient if you often use the same apps - for example, camera, flashlight or music player.

Setting methods:

• 👆 Double tap (for Xiaomi, Samsung, Google Pixel):
  1. Go to Settings → Advanced → Gestures (or Accessibility → Gestures).
  2. Turn on the "Double tap for startup" option and select the application.
  3. Now, to open the app, double-tap turned off screen.
• 🔄 Triple press the power button (for OnePlus, Oppo, Realme):
  1. Go to Settings → Buttons and gestures → Quickly press the power button.
  2. Select an action - for example, launch the camera or flashlight.

🖱️ Button combinations (for Samsung s One UI):

1. Go to Settings → Advanced → Side button.
2. Assign double press to the volume or power button to launch an application.

On some smartphones (for example, ASUS ROG Phone) you can assign gestures to launch applications in game mode. This is convenient for quickly opening Discord, Twitch or performance settings.

How to assign a gesture to launch an application on Xiaomi

1. data-i="213">Settings → Advanced → Gestures Settings → Advanced → Gestures.

2. Select “Double tap gesture” or “Swipe gesture.”

3. Assign an application and save the settings.

4. Now, for example, swiping down with three fingers can be done. open Google Photos, and double tap - Phone.

Note: on some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12) these functions may be hidden in the "Special" menu capabilities".

5. Launching applications through system settings

If an application does not open in standard ways (for example, after a crash or update), you can launch it through settings menu. This method is also useful if you want to see hidden system applicationsthat are not displayed in the main menu.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu or notification panel).
2. Go to section Applications (may be called "All applications" or "Application Manager»).
3. Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search at the top of the screen).
4. Tap the application name, and then press the button Open (or Run).

If the button Open is inactive, this may mean:

• 🚫 Application disabled — click Enable.
• 🔒 Application hidden - return it to the menu via Settings → Home screen → Hidden applications.
• 🛠️ Application installed incorrectly —uninstall and install again.

On smartphones with EMUI (Huawei) the path may be different: Settings → Applications → Applications → [name] → Run. If the application is system (for example, Camera or Phone), it cannot be deleted, but you can reset settings or clear cache.

⚠️ Attention: Do not disable system applications (for example, Google Play Services or Android System WebView), if you are not sure of their purpose, this may lead to malfunctions of the smartphone.

6. Alternative methods: for experienced users

If standard methods do not work (for example, because screen breakdowns or system freezes), you can use advanced methods. They require a little more effort, but will help in critical situations.

Method 1: Through ADB (for PC)

If you have access to a computer, you can run the application using Android Debug Bridge (ADB):

adb shell am start -n com.android.package/.MainActivity

Where com.android.package is application package name (can be found through Settings → Applications → [name] → Information), and MainActivity is the main class (usually .MainActivity or .LauncherActivity).

Method 2: Through the voice assistant (if the screen does not work)

If the smartphone screen is broken, but the microphone and speaker are working:

1. Connect the smartphone to the charger (so that it does not turn off).
2. Say “Okay, Google" (if the voice assistant is turned on).
3. Say the command: "Open [application name]».

Method 3: Through a third-party launcher

If the standard launcher (shell) of the smartphone does not work correctly, install an alternative (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) via Google Play. After installation:

1. Press the button Home and select the new one launcher.
2. In the new launcher menu, find the desired application and open it.

7. Troubleshooting: the application does not open

Sometimes the application is installed, but does not start. The reasons can be different: from incompatibility with the Android version. data-i="312">conflict with other apps to conflict with other apps. Here is what to do in such cases:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The application opens and closes immediately	Damaged cache or data	Go to Settings → Applications → [name] → Storage → Clear cache/data
The "Open" button is inactive	The application is disabled or deleted	Click “Enable” or reinstall the application
The application does not install	Insufficient memory or incompatibility	Clear the memory or check the requirements in Google Play
The application does not appear in menu	Hidden by launcher settings	Go to Launcher settings → Hidden applications
The application gives an error when opening	Outdated version or missing rights	Update the application or check permissions in Settings → Applications → Permissions

If the problem persists, try:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone - hold the power button and select "Restart."
• 📥 Update the application —go to Google Play, find it and click “Update.”
• 🛠️ Check compatibility —some applications do not work on Android Go or older versions (below Android 8.0).
• 🔒 Disable VPN or firewall —they may block access to the application servers.

⚠️ Attention: If the application requests suspicious permissions (for example, access to SMS or geolocation for no reason), do not provide them. This may be a sign of malware. Uninstall such an application and scan your smartphone with an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes or Kaspersky).

Frequently asked questions

Can I open the application if it is not installed?

No, but you can:

• Install it from Google Play or APK file.
• Use web version (if it exists, for example, for Telegram or WhatsApp).
• Run via Android emulator on a PC (for example, BlueStacks).

Why do some applications open only through search, and not from the main screen?

This can happen for several reasons:

• Application icon hidden in the launcher settings.
• Application disabled (go to Settings → Applications and enable it).
• This is system applicationwhich is not intended for manual launch (for example, Google Play Services).
• Launcher reset settings after updating (try restarting your smartphone).

To return the icon to the main screen, find the application in the all apps menu, hold it and drag it to the desktop.

How to open an application if your smartphone is locked?

If your smartphone is locked (for example, you forgot the pattern key), but you urgently need to open the application (for example, to make a call), try:

• 📞 Emergency call: on the lock screen there is usually an “Emergency call” button - it allows you to dial a number even without unlocking.
• 🔊 Voice assistant: if enabled Google Assistant or Bixby, say “Okay Google, call mom” (if the contact is saved).
• 🔄 Reboot in safe mode: hold the power button → “Reboot in safe mode.” In this mode, you can remove the application that is blocking the screen.

If all else fails, you will have to reset settings via Recovery Mode (but this will delete all data!).

Can I open the application from another device?

Yes, but with limitations:

• 🖥️ Via PC: if USB debugging is enabled on your smartphone (Settings → For developers → USB debugging), you can control it from your computer via TeamViewer QuickSupport or Scrcpy.
• 📱 Through another smartphone: if both devices are connected to the same account Google, you can use Google Remote Desktop (pre-configuration required).
• 🌐 Via the web interface: some applications (for example, WhatsApp Web or Telegram Web) allow you to manage your account from browser.

For complete remote control (for example, to launch any applications) you will need special apps like AirDroid or ApowerMirror.

How to open system applications (for example, “Settings” or “Phone”)?

System applications open in the same way as regular ones, but there are nuances:

• 📞 Phone: the icon is usually located on the main screen or in the dock panel. You can also open it through search or the voice command “Open phone.”
• ⚙️ Settings: gear icon in the application menu or swipe down from the top edge of the screen (notification panel) → gear in the upper right corner.
• 📷 Camera: on most smartphones you can open it double press the power button (even on a locked screen).
• 🔋 Battery/Performance: the path may vary, but usually Settings → Device care → Battery.

If the system application is uninstalled or disabled, you can return it through Settings → Applications → Three dots (menu) → Show system ones, then enable it.