Personalizing the smartphone desktop is the first thing a user does after purchasing a Androiddevice. The standard application grid is rarely convenient for a particular person, so the need to change the arrangement of icons arises for almost everyone. A properly organized space saves time searching for the right apps and makes using the gadget more enjoyable.
Modern shells from manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi or Realme offer ample opportunities for customization. However, the basic principles of label management have remained the same over the years. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how to effectively manage icons, create logical groups, and troubleshoot common display problems.
There are several ways to organize space: from simple drag-and-drop to using third-party ones. launchers. The choice of method depends on your goals and operating system version. We will look at both standard tools and advanced settings for complete control over the interface.
Basic principles of moving icons
The easiest way to change the order is to use the touch screen. You just need to find the icon you want to move. Press and hold it with your finger for one to two seconds until the icon begins to enlarge or vibrate. After that, without releasing your finger, drag the element to the desired location on the grid.
If you want to move the icon to another screen, drag it to the edge of the display. The system will automatically switch the view to the adjacent desktop page. Navigation gestures modern versions of Android allow you to do this very smoothly. Release your finger when the cursor is in the desired cell.
Sometimes the icon does not fit into place due to occupied space. In this case, the system may offer to move other applications or automatically create a new page. This is standard behavior launcherthat prevents elements from overlapping each other.
If the icon is “stuck” to the edge of the screen and does not want to move, try first dragging it to the center, and then moving it to the edge to go to another page.
It is worth noting that on Some models, for example from Huawei or Honor, may have the grid locking mode enabled by default. In this case, free movement between cells is impossible without prior configuration in the menu.
Creating and managing application folders
When the number of installed apps grows, the desktop turns into chaos. The solution to this problem is to create folders. This allows you to group applications by topic, for example, “Social networks”, “Games” or “Work”. To create a folder, drag one icon directly on top of the other.
The system will automatically create a container and prompt you to enter a name. You can rename the folder at any time by clicking on the name field. Within a folder, you can rearrange the order of items in the same way as on the Home screen. The folder size usually adapts automatically depending on the number of nested icons.
- 📁 Drag the "Calculator" icon onto the "Clock" icon to create a "Tools" folder.
- 📂 Click on the created folder to add more applications using drag-and-drop.
- 🗑️ To delete a folder, drag all the icons from it to the desktop, then the container will disappear on its own.
Some shells, such as One UI ot Samsung, allow you to create folders with colored backgrounds or change the style of their display. This adds visual variety and helps you quickly find the desired group of apps with your glance.
Setting the grid and interface scale
If the standard arrangement of icons seems too large or, conversely, small to you, you can change the grid parameters. This feature is available in the desktop settings. Typically the path looks like this: long press on an empty area of the screen, then select “Settings” or “Screen Grid”.
By changing the number of rows and columns, you affect the size of all interface elements. A 4x5 grid will make icons larger, while a 6x6 grid will allow you to fit more apps on one screen. However, it is worth remembering that if the grid is too fine, it becomes more difficult to hit the icons with your finger.
| Grid type | Number of icons | Size of elements | For whom it is suitable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 5 | 20 | Large | Users with large fingers or poor vision |
| 5 x 5 | 25 | Medium | Standard configuration for most |
| 5 x 6 | 30 | Small | Lovers of minimalism and a large number of applications |
| 6 x 6 | 36 | Very small | Advanced users with large screens |
In addition to the grid, the option to change the font scale or icon size independently of the grid is often available. This is useful if you need to maintain the number of elements, but make the captions under them more readable.
☑️ Checking the grid settings
Using widgets and hiding applications
The Android desktop is unique in that, in addition to application shortcuts, it supports widgets. These are interactive elements of different sizes that display information without launching the app. A clock, weather, calendar or player can be placed directly among the icons.
To add a widget, call the desktop editing menu and select the "Widgets" section. Drag the selected element to an empty space. It is important to consider that large widgets take up the space of several grid cells, which may require rearranging surrounding icons.
⚠️ Attention: An excessive number of active widgets, especially those that are updated in real time (weather, news), can significantly increase battery consumption.
Also, many users want to hide rarely used applications so as not to clutter up the space. In the launcher settings there is often a “Hide applications” option. The selected apps will disappear from the main screen and menu, but will remain installed on the system. They can be found through a search or by returning the setting back.
How to return hidden applications?
Go to the launcher settings, find the "Hidden applications" section and click the cross or the delete button next to the icon of the desired app. It will instantly appear in the general list.
Advanced customization through third-party launchers
If the capabilities of the standard shell do not suit you, the best solution would be to install a third-party one launcher. Popular options such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launchergive full control over every pixel of the screen.
Using such tools, you can change the shape of icons, overlay individual icons on them, create gestures for launching applications and customize animations. For example, double tapping on an icon can launch an application, and swiping up can open a context menu.
When installing a new launcher, the system will ask which application to use as the default for the home screen. Select the installed launcher. If you want to return to the factory look, just go to the system settings and reset the application to default.
- 🎨 Nova Launcher allows you to change the size of each icon individually.
- 🔄 Smart Launcher automatically sorts applications into categories.
- 🖌️ Icon Pack —special sets of icons that change the style of all applications at once.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party launchers may work unstable on some smartphone models with a heavily modified system, causing delays when opening the menu.
Third-party launchers are the most powerful tool for changing the appearance, but they require time for initial customization.
Return to factory settings interface
Sometimes after many experiments the desktop becomes uncomfortable or starts to work with errors. In such cases, it is useful to know how to reset the launcher settings. This will return the icons and widgets to their original state, as they were after purchasing the phone.
To do this, it is not necessary to completely reset the phone. Just go to the system settings, find the “Applications” section, select your “Desktop” or “Launcher” application and click “Clear data”. After the reboot, all icons will line up in the standard order.
This procedure also deletes the folders and widgets you created, so before resetting it is worth mentally marking important groups of applications. But this is guaranteed to solve problems with icons freezing or dragging not working.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the launcher data does not delete the applications themselves, only their location on the screen and interface settings.
What to do if the icons disappeared after the update?
Often, after a system update, grid settings are reset. Simply add widgets and folders again, or use the launcher settings backup feature if available.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I drag an icon to a specific location?
Most likely, another element or widget is already in that location, or you have grid lock enabled in settings. Try changing the grid size to a smaller one or freeing up space by removing unnecessary widgets.
Is it possible to change the size of a specific icon without the launcher?
This function is rare in standard Android skins. Usually the size is changed globally for all icons through the screen settings. To resize individually, you will need to install a third-party launcher.
How to remove the inscription under the application icon?
This setting depends on the phone model. In pure Android (Pixel, Motorola), signatures can be disabled in the desktop settings. In shells MIUI or One UI this option is also often available in the home screen settings menu.
What to do if the icon has become a black square?
This means that the application is deleted or damaged, but the shortcut remains. A long press on such an icon usually prompts you to delete it. If this is a system application, try clearing the launcher cache or restarting the device.
Is it possible to arrange icons in alphabetical order automatically?
Yes, in the menu of all applications (not on the desktop, but in the list) there is often alphabetical sorting. On the desktop itself, automatic sorting is rare, since the user is expected to manually organize the space.