How to properly organize applications into folders on Android: all methods

An exciting world Android gives users not only freedom of choice, but also headaches from chaos on the desktop. Dozens of application icons scattered without a system turn your smartphone into a digital warehouse of unnecessary things. Fortunately, the operating system offers several ways to organize this mess - from standard functions to advanced tools for real perfectionists.

You can organize applications into folders Android at least five different methods, and each of them is suitable for certain scenarios. For some, the basic capabilities of the launcher are enough, while others will prefer automation through file manager or specialized utilities. In this article we will analyze all the options - from the simplest to the most flexible - and also tell you how to avoid common mistakes when sorting.

It is important to understand that the folder structure on Android depends not only on the OS version, but also on smartphone manufacturer (they have Samsung, Xiaomi and Google Pixel different shells) and even from the installed launcher. Therefore, some methods may differ slightly visually, but the principle remains the same.

1. Standard method: creating folders on the desktop

The most obvious and universal method is to use the built-in capabilities of the launcher. It works on 99% of smartphones, regardless of brand, and does not require the installation of additional apps. A few taps are enough to combine applications into thematic groups.

How to do it:

• 📱 Find on the desktop two icons of the applications that you want to combine (for example, WhatsApp and Telegram).
• 👆 Drag one icon to the other and hold 1-2 fingers seconds.
• 📁 A folder called "Untitled" (or similar) will be automatically created. Click on it to rename it.
• ➕ To add new applications, simply drag them into the folder.

This method is ideal for a basic organization, but it has limitations:

• ❌ Folders are visible only on the desktop - they are not displayed in the application menu.
• ❌ It is not possible to create subfolders (a folder within a folder).
• ❌ The design of folders depends on the launcher and often looks unaesthetic.

If you need more flexibility, move on to the next method - using application menu, where folders can be created and managed centrally.

2. Organization through the app menu (App Drawer)

Many users do not even suspect that folders can be created not only on the desktop, but also in the application menu itself (App DrawerThis method is convenient because it allows you to hide rarely used apps from the main screen, but at the same time keep them at hand in a sorted form.

Instructions for most launchers (including Google Pixel Launcher, Nova Launcher, One UI):

1. Open the application menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen or click on icon "All applications").
2. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Create folder (or New folder).
3. Enter the name of the folder (for example, "Social networks" or "Work").
4. Select applications from the list and click Done.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Folders are accessible from anywhere - no need to return to the desktop.
• 📊 You can sort apps by alphabet, installation date, or frequency of use.
• 🔄 Easily transfer apps between folders by dragging and dropping.

However, there are nuances here too. For example, on some smartphones Xiaomi and Huawei the application menu as such is disabled by default - all icons are immediately displayed on the desktop. In this case, you will either have to accept the limitations or install a third-party one. launcher.

3. Using a file manager for deep sorting

If you are not satisfied with superficial methods and want to organize applications into folders at the file system level, you will have to dive into file managerThis method is suitable for advanced users who want to not only visually organize icons, but also physically move them. data-i="89">-files or their data. .apk-files or their data.

Attention: working with system folders can lead to failures! We recommend using this method only for user applications, and not for pre-installed ones.

Steps for sorting through the file manager (for example Solid Explorer or FX File Manager):

1. Open the file manager with rights root (if you need to work with system folders) or without them (for regular applications).
2. Go to the directory /data/app/ —installed applications are stored here.
3. Create a new folder (for example, Social, Games, Tools) and move the folders with the desired applications there (they are usually named according to the pattern com.developer.appname-1).
4. Reboot the device for the changes to take effect.

What happens if you delete the application folder from /data/app/?

The application will stop working, but you can reinstall it from Google Play. System applications may cause errors when uninstalled!

This method only makes sense if you:

• 🔧 Want to physically separate application data (for example, for backup).
• 📦 You use custom firmware and want to optimize the structure /data.
• 🔒 You work with rootrights and understand the risks.

⚠️ Attention: Changing system folders without rootrights may lead to errors installing updates. On some devices (for example, Samsung Knox) this may trigger the modification flag, which will void your warranty.

4. Automation using third-party utilities

Manual sorting takes time, especially if there are hundreds of applications installed on your smartphone. Google Play there are utilities that automate the process of creating folders according to given rules. For example, you can put all games in one folder, instant messengers in another, and utilities in a third, based on categories from Play Market.

Top 3 applications for automatic sorting:

Application	Features	Cons
App Organizer	Creates folders by category (Games, Social networks), supports cloud backup	Advertising in the free version, limit on the number of folders
FolderSync	Synchronizes folders with cloud services, supports automatic sorting rules	Complex interface for beginners
Smart Launcher 6	Built-in automatic categorization, adaptive folders, minimalistic design	Paid functions (premium version)

Setting example App Organizer:

1. Install the application and provide access to the list of installed apps.
2. Select a category (for example, Finance) and click Create folder.
3. The application will automatically find all relevant apps (for example, SberBank Online, Tinkoff, Revolut).
4. Customize the appearance of the folder (icon, color, name).

Automatic utilities save time, but have their pitfalls. For example, they may incorrectly classify little-known applications or create too many. there are many folders with one or two elements. In this case, you will have to manually adjust the results.

5. Hidden features of ADB for advanced users

If you are not afraid of the command line and want to get full control over the organization of applications, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you not only to create folders, but also to control their display at the system level.

Warning: working with ADB requires developer mode and USB debugging to be enabled. Errors in commands can lead to interface failures.

Example commands for creating a folder via ADB:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.launcher3/.Launcher
adb shell cmd launcher3 create-folder 0 "Folder name" com.example.app1 com.example.app2

Decryption commands:

• com.android.launcher3 — standard launcher Android (may differ on custom firmware).
• create-folder 0 — creates a folder on the first desktop.
• com.example.app1 — application identifier (can be found through App Inspector).

⚠️ Attention: On devices c MIUI (Xiaomi) and EMUI (Huawei) commands ADB to work with the launcher may be blocked by the manufacturer. In this case, you will have to use universal utilities like Tasker.

What might you need it for? ADB:

• 🔧 Bulk creation of folders based on a list of applications (for example, for corporate devices).
• 📱 Automation of setting up new smartphones (scripts for deploying the folder structure).
• 🔄 Restoring the folder structure after a reset settings.

6. Optimizing folders for performance

Few people think about it, but chaotic placement of applications can affect not only convenience, but also smartphone performance. For example, if there are 20 games in one folder and 5 instant messengers in another, the system will spend additional resources on background synchronization of the latter. Rational organization helps reduce the load on CPU and the battery.

Tips for optimization:

• 🎮 Games: Place them in a separate folder and disable auto-update for them (they take up a lot of space and rarely require updates).
• 💬 Messengers: Merge into one folder, but limit the number of simultaneous users in the background (in the battery settings).
• 📊 Utilities: Divide into "Frequently Used" and "Backup" - the latter can be unloaded from memory.
• 🔄 System: Do not touch folders with pre-installed applications (for example, Google Play Services) so as not to disrupt the stability of the OS.

Research shows that properly organizing applications into folders can reduce the time it takes to find the right app by 40%, as well as reduce background battery consumption by 5-15% by optimizing the cache.

Additional tricks for saving resources:

• 📉 Disable folder animation in the launcher settings (reduces the load on GPU).
• 🗑️ Regularly clear the cache of folders with frequently updated applications (for example, social networks).
• 🔋 Use "sleep mode" for folders with rarely used apps (the function is in Greenify or Battery Optimizer).

7. Backup and transfer of folder structure

If you have spent time organizing your applications perfectly, it is logical to want to keep this structure when you change your smartphone or after resetting the settings. Unfortunately, Android does not provide built-in tools for backing up folders, but there are workarounds.

Ways to save the structure:

1. Through the launcher: Many third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) allow you to export settings, including folder locations. To do this, go to Settings → Backup.
2. Via Titanium Backup (root): The application can save not only app data, but also their location on the desktop. root-rights are required. data-i="200">Via Titanium Backup (root):
3. Via ADB: You can manually copy the launcher database (usually a file launcher.db to /data/data/com.android.launcher3/databases/), but this is risky.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Open the launcher settings and select Import/Export.
2. Click Save and select what exactly to backup (turn on the checkbox Desktop layout).
3. The backup file will be saved in the internal memory. Transfer it to a new smartphone and import it.

⚠️ Attention: When restoring the folder structure on another device, problems may arise if not all applications from the backup are installed on it. "empty" folders or will skip missing items.

If you don't want to bother with backups, an alternative option is to use cloud services like Google Keep or Notionto maintain a list of folders and applications in them when setting up a new smartphone. All that remains is to reproduce the structure manually.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about folders on Android

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

On most launchers, this is not possible by default. However, some third-party launchers (for example, Smart Launcher or POCO Launcher) support subfolders through plugins or additional settings. An alternative is to use folder shortcuts: create a main folder, and inside it place shortcuts to other folders (via widget Folder shortcut in Nova Launcher).

Why do folders disappear after updating Android?

This is due to the fact that some updates reset the launcher settings. To avoid losing the structure:

1. Before updating. backup through the launcher settings (if it supports export).
2. Use launchers with cloud synchronization (for example, Microsoft Launcher).
3. After updating, do not delete the old launcher - first restore the folder structure from it.

If the folders are already missing, try getting them back via Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Recover data (does not always work).

How to hide the application folder from prying eyes?

There are several ways:

• 🔒 Use launchers with a built-in hiding function (for example, Nova Launcher + plugin Nova Hide Apps).
• 🗝️ Install a safe application (for example, App Hider or Calculator Vault), which disguises folders as a calculator or another utility.
• 📂 Move the folder to the second desktop and disable gestures for switching between tables.

On some smartphones (for example, Samsung s Secure Folder) you can create a protected folder, access to which can be accessed by fingerprint finger.

Is it possible to sort applications by icon color?

Yes, but for this you will need third-party utilities. Applications like App Categorizer or Folder Colorizer allow you to:

• Create folders with colored tags.
• Automatically group applications by dominant icon color (an image analysis algorithm is used).
• Assign unique wallpapers for each folder.

For manual sorting by color, you can use the launcher KISS Launcherthat supports tags and filters based on visual characteristics.

How to transfer folders from one Android device to another?

There is no universal method, but here are working options:

1. Through the launcher: Export settings to Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher, transfer the backup file to the new device and import.
2. Via Titanium Backup (root): Save the launcher data (com.android.launcher3) and restore them on the new smartphone.
3. Via ADB: Copy the launcher database file (launcher.db) from /data/data/com.android.launcher3/databases/ to the new device (required root).
4. Manual transfer: Take a photo of the folder structure and reproduce it manually (longest, but works without additional apps).

Important: All applications that were in the folders must be installed on the new device, otherwise they will appear empty.