Transfer Setting icons between screens on Android seems like a simple task, but many users encounter unexpected difficulties. Depending on the version of the operating system, the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS) and even the smartphone model, the process may differ. Some people cannot “grab” the icon, for others it returns to its place, and for others there is no drag-and-drop option at all. In this article, we will look at all the working methods - from standard gestures to hidden launcher functions.

This topic is especially relevant for users who often reinstall applications, change shells, or restore their phone from a backup. In such cases, icons are scattered chaotically across different screens, and manually sorting them takes time. We will not only show you how to move icons, but also explain why sometimes it doesn’t work and how to fix common errors.

Why can’t you drag an icon to another screen?

If, when you try to move the icon, it stubbornly returns to its place or simply does not respond to touches, the problem lies in one of four factors:

  • 🔄 Locked launcher: some shells (for example EMUI on Huawei) fix the location of icons by default. This is done to prevent accidental changes.
  • 👆 Incorrect gesture: on new versions of Android (12+) to drag you need not just press and hold, but do long press with a slight shift.
  • 📱 Easy interface mode: on smartphones for older people or in simplified control mode, dragging icons is often disabled.
  • 🔧 Cache failures launcher: if the system has “forgotten” the interface settings, it can block any changes in the arrangement of icons.

Before trying radical methods (like resetting settings), check Settings → Home screen (or Settings → Screen → Home screen). There may be an option “Allow changes layout" or "Pin icons" —it needs to be disabled.

⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones Samsung s One UI 5.0+ dragging icons between screens only works in edit mode (tap on an empty space on the home screen and select “Edit”)

Method 1: Standard drag and drop (works on 90% of devices)

This is a basic method that should work on most smartphones with Android 8.0 i newer. Algorithm of actions:

  1. Click on the application icon and hold it 1–2 secondsuntil it “unsticks” from the screen and vibration appears.
  2. Without releasing your finger Move the icon to the edge of the screen (left or right). After 0.5–1 second, automatic scrolling will occur to the adjacent screen.
  3. Wait for the desired screen, drag the icon to an empty space and release your finger.

If the screen does not scroll automatically, try:

  • 📲 Swipe your finger across the screen (without releasing the icon) towards the desired screen.
  • 🔄 Drag the icon to dock panel (bottom fixed line), and from there to another screen.

Make sure the screen is not locked (swipe up to unlock)

Check that there is free space on the target screen

Turn off One-Handed mode in Settings (it interferes with precise gestures)

Reboot your phone if the icons “stuck”

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On some devices (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 11) to drag you must first enter mode editing: click on an empty space on the screen → Edit → then hold the icon.

Method 2: Transfer through the dock panel (for organizing)

The dock panel (bottom fixed row with 4-5 icons) is an “intermediate point” for moving icons between screens. This method is useful if:

  • 🔄 Screen autoscroll does not work.
  • 📱 You have too many screens, and swiping does not get you to what you need.
  • 🎯 You need to move an icon across several screens (for example, from the 1st to the 5th).

Instructions:

  1. Drag the icon to the dock panel (it will replace one of the current icons).
  2. Scroll through the screens to the one you need.
  3. Hold the icon from the dock panel and drag it to an empty space.
Brand Max. icons in the dock panel Features
Samsung (One UI) 5 The Dock panel is always visible, even in the application menu
Xiaomi (MIUI) 4 You can disable the dock panel in the launcher settings
Google Pixel 5 Supports gestures for quick dragging
Huawei (EMUI) 4 The Dock panel is hidden when scrolling the application menu

On smartphones Oppo i Realme s ColorOS the dock panel is disabled by default. To enable it, go to Settings → Home screen → Dock panel.

Method 3: Using the application menu (for “stubborn” icons)

If the icon stubbornly does not want to be dragged, try moving it across all applications menu (list of installed apps). This method works even on locked launchers.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Open the applications menu (swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen or click on the "All applications" icon).
  2. Find the application you need and hold it icon for 1–2 seconds.
  3. In the menu that appears, select "Add to home screen" (or "Move").
  4. Drag the icon to the desired screen (if auto-scrolling does not work, swipe your finger across the screen to side).

On some devices (for example, Nokia with pure Android) in the application menu you can immediately drag icons to home screens without additional actions. If there is no such option, try:

  • 🔧 Install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).
  • 📲 Use edit mode (click on an empty space on the screen → “Edit”).
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If the icon has disappeared after dragging, check the "Unused" folder in the application menu - sometimes "lost" icons end up there.

Method 4: Reset the launcher settings (if nothing works)

If dragging icons is impossible in any of the ways, the problem may lie in a failure of the launcher settings (the app responsible for the home screen interface). In this case, resetting to factory settings will help launcher only -this will not affect your data or applications.

How to reset launcher:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Find an application with a name Launcher, Home screen or brand name (for example, MIUI Launcher, One UI Home).
  3. Select "Storage" → "Clear data" and confirm the action.
  4. Reboot the phone.

After reset:

  • 🔄 All icons will return to their standard places (they will have to be dragged again).
  • 📱 Wallpaper and widget settings will be reset.
  • 🔧 The ability to drag icons should be restored.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones Huawei and Honor resetting the launcher also resets screen lock password. Before the procedure, make sure you remember your PIN or pattern!
What to do if the reset did not help?

If after resetting the launcher, dragging still does not work, the problem may be a system failure. In this case:

1. Check for software updates in Settings → System → Update. system.

2. Try installing a third-party launcher (for example, Microsoft Launcher or Action Launcher).

3. As a last resort, reset the phone to factory settings (don't forget to backup your data).

Method 5: Third-party launchers for flexible settings

If standard methods do not suit you (for example, you need to transfer icons between screens with gestures or voice), install an alternative launcher. They offer advanced interface management functions:

  • 🎛️ Nova Launcher: support for gestures, backing up screen layouts, customizing animations.
  • 🖼️ Apex Launcher: grouping icons into categories, hiding unnecessary icons.
  • 🔄 Microsoft Launcher: synchronizing the layout between devices, integration with Windows.
  • 📱 Action Launcher: quick access to widgets, adaptive icons.

How to transfer icons to Nova Launcher:

  1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the main one.
  2. Hold the icon → drag it to edge of the screen for auto scrolling.
  3. For quick transfer, use swipe up gesture on the icon (configurable in Nova Settings → Gestures and inputs).

Advantages of third-party launchers:

Function Nova Launcher Microsoft Launcher
Layout backup ✅ (to the cloud or file) ✅ (to Microsoft account only)
Gestures for transfer ✅ (customizable) ❌
Hide icons ✅ ✅
Adaptive icons ✅ ❌

On smartphones with Android 13+ some launchers may conflict with system gestures. If drag and drop works worse after installing an alternative launcher, disable system gestures in Settings → System → Gestures Standard (from the manufacturer) Other third-party data-i="185">I don’t know what this is Settings → System → Gestures.

Standard (from manufacturer)

Nova Launcher

Microsoft Launcher

Other third party

I don't know what it is

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Common errors and how to avoid them

Even after successfully transferring icons, users encounter unexpected problems. Here are the most common ones and solutions:

  • 🔄 The icon returns to its place after a reboot: this occurs due to a failure of the launcher cache. Clear the launcher data (see Method 4) or reboot the phone.
  • 📱 You cannot drag an icon to a blank screen: first add a widget or folder to it, then transfer icons.
  • 🚫 The icon disappeared after transfer: check the "Unused" folder in the application menu or the "Others" folder on the last screen.
  • 🔒 You cannot change the icons in the dock panel: on some devices (for example, Samsung) the dock panel is locked. To unlock it, hold the icon in the dock → “Dock panel settings” → disable “Pin.”

Another typical problem — icons “stick together” when dragging. This happens if:

  • There is too little free space on the screen (remove unnecessary icons or widgets).
  • Mode is on "Large icons" (disabled in the launcher settings).
  • Unofficial firmware with bugs is used.
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If after all the manipulations the icons are still not dragged, check if it is enabled demo mode (on some smartphones it blocks interface changes). This mode is usually activated in communication shops and is disabled in Settings → System → Demo mode.

Is it possible to transfer icons between screens on Android Go?

Yes, but with limitations. On Android Go (simplified version for weak smartphones), dragging works only in edit modeIn addition, the number of screens is often limited to 3-4, and auto-scrolling can. missing. In this case, use dock panel (see Method 2).

Why did drag and drop stop working after updating Android?

This is a typical problem after major updates (for example, from Android 11 to Android 12). The reason is a reset of the launcher settings or a conflict with new gestures. Solutions:

  1. Clear the launcher data (see Method). 4).
  2. Disable system gestures in Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation and select “Buttons”.
  3. Install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).
How to transfer icons from one smartphone to another?

This is impossible using standard Android tools, but there are workarounds:

  • 📱 Use a launcher with a backup function (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher). They allow you to save the screen layout to a file and restore it on another device.
  • 🔄 Synchronize icons through your account Google (works only for standard applications, for example Gmail or YouTube).
  • 📋 Manually record location of the icons and restore it on the new phone.

Please note: the number of screens and their sizes may differ on different smartphones, so the layout may not transfer perfectly.

Is it possible to fix the icons so that they do not move accidentally?

Yes, almost all launchers support this function How. enable:

  • On Samsung: hold an empty space on the screen → “Home screen settings” → “Pin layout.”
  • On Xiaomi: hold an empty space → “Settings” → “Pin icons."
  • In Nova Launcher: Settings → Home screen → Pin layout.

After activating this option, icons will not move when accidentally touched, but you can change their location in mode editing.

Why is it not possible to drag and drop icons on my phone?

This may be due to:

  • 📱 Simplified interface: on some smartphones (for example, for older people), dragging is disabled. Check in Settings → Accessibility → Easy mode.
  • 🔧 Manufacturer's policy: on some corporate or children's devices, interface changes are blocked.
  • 🛠️ Unofficial firmware: custom builds of Android may remove the drag-and-drop feature.

If none of the points apply, try resetting the launcher settings (see Method 4) or installing a third-party launcher.