Modern smartphones Samsung are equipped with powerful processors and large displays, which allows you to install dozens of useful applications. However, the abundance of icons on the main screen often leads to visual chaos, making it difficult to quickly find the desired app. Organizing space is becoming a critical task for the comfortable use of a gadget in everyday life.
Operating system Android with a proprietary shell One UI offers intuitive tools for structuring content. Creating folders is a basic skill that helps you create order and improve the ergonomics of device management. In this article, we will look in detail at all the ways to group applications, and also look at the hidden options for customizing the appearance of folders.
You will learn not only about the standard drag-and-drop method, but also how to resize widgets inside containers, assign colors, and use automatic sorting. Proper organization of the desktop saves time and reduces the cognitive load when searching for functions.
The basic method of creating a folder by dragging and dropping
The most common and intuitive way to group applications into a group is the Drag-and-Drop method. It works identically on most models of the line Galaxy S, Galaxy A i Galaxy Z. First, you need to unlock your device and go to the main screen, where the app icons are located.
Find the two application icons that you want to combine. These can be frequently used instant messengers, tools for work or play. Press your finger on one of the icons and hold for a second until it “unsticks” from the grid and begins to move freely around the screen with your finger.
Without releasing your finger, drag this icon directly on top of the second icon you selected for the group. As soon as the top icon is exactly above the bottom one, the system will automatically create container, and both apps will be inside it. Release your finger to complete the action.
Sometimes users encounter a situation where an icon does not “stick” to another. This can happen if you don't hold your finger down long enough or if you move the object too quickly. Also make sure your screen is not set to Layout Lock, which prevents accidental changes to the interface.
⚠️ Attention: If you drag an icon to the top of the screen, it may open a widget panel or edit menu rather than create a folder. Try to move strictly horizontally or vertically within the desktop grid.
An alternative method through the editing menu
If the drag-and-drop method seems inconvenient to you or you want to create an empty folder in advance, you can use the home screen editing mode. This approach gives you more control over the arrangement of elements and allows you to plan the structure of your desktop before installing applications.
To enter editing mode, long press (tap and hold) on any free space on the desktop where there are no icons or widgets. The screen will shrink, and a toolbar with buttons “Widgets”, “Themes”, “Wallpaper” and other settings will appear at the bottom One UI.
In some versions of the firmware, the folder creation button is placed separately, but most often the following algorithm is used: drag any icon to the center of the screen, and then select the “Create folder” option in the pop-up menu that appears. The system will form a group with the first application inside.
Once created, you can add other apps there by simply dragging and dropping from the application menu or from other desktop pages. This method is especially useful during the initial setup of a new smartphone Samsung, when you need to quickly distribute dozens of preinstalled apps.
☑️ Preparing for sorting
Using the editing mode also allows you to delete entire folders in one action. Just click on the cross in the corner of the container in edit mode to delete the group, while the applications themselves will remain in the menu and will not be deleted from the device.
Customizing the appearance and name of the folder
After you have collected the applications into a group, you can assign it a meaningful name. By default, the system suggests the name "Folder" or the name of the first application added, but this is rarely informative. Customizing the name helps you instantly navigate the contents.
Click once on the created folder to open it, and then click on the text field with the name above the icons. The virtual keyboard will allow you to enter any name: “Work”, “Social networks”, “Games” or “Finance”. Confirm your entry with the “Done” button on your keyboard or by clicking outside the input field.
Shell One UI also allows you to change the background color of the folder, which visually highlights important groups of applications. Open the folder and click on the three dots in the upper right corner (or hold the folder itself in edit mode) to find the “Background Color” item.
You will be offered several color schemes that match the current system theme, or the ability to select a custom color from the palette. Changing the color is especially important if you're using a dark theme and want your folders to blend in. Dark Mode.
Use emoji in folder names (such as "✈️ Travel" or "🎮 Games") so that visual identification takes less time than reading text.
Folder size on the desktop can also be adjusted. In edit mode, you can change the number of icons displayed in the folder preview by dragging the borders of the container. This allows you to focus on the most important applications, bringing them to the fore.
Automatic sorting and smart folders
Manually creating folders is not suitable for all users, especially those who often install new applications. For such cases, smartphones Samsung provide an automatic sorting function that groups apps into categories without the participation of the owner.
To activate this function, go to the desktop settings. Touch and hold an empty space on the screen, then select Settings (gear icon). Find the section “Sorting applications” or “Automatic creation of folders.”
When this option is enabled, the system will analyze all installed apps and distribute them into thematic groups: “Social networks”, “Tools”, “Entertainment”. New downloaded applications will be automatically placed in the appropriate categories.
| Sorting type | Description | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | The user creates and fills folders himself | Full control, individual order |
| Automatic | The system groups applications into categories | Time saving, order for new apps |
| By frequency | Sorting by degree usage | Quick access to popular applications |
It is worth noting that automatic sorting may not work correctly with specific applications that are difficult to classify. In such cases, you will have to manually move the icon from the automatically created folder to the desired location.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and One UI update. If you do not find an automatic sorting option, check for system updates in the phone settings menu.
Content management and deleting folders
The life cycle of a folder does not end with its creation. Over time, the set of applications changes: some apps are removed, others become more relevant. The ability to quickly edit the contents of a folder is an important skill for maintaining order.
To add a new application to an existing folder, open the all applications menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen), find the desired icon and drag it directly onto the open folder or its icon on the desktop. The application is instantly integrated into the group.
To remove an application from a folder, open it, press and hold the icon of an unnecessary app, and then drag it outside the folder to an empty space on the desktop or to the top of the screen in the “Delete” zone (if the goal is uninstallation).
If the folder becomes empty (you have removed all applications from it), the system Android will automatically delete the container itself. However, if you want to delete a folder that still has apps in it, first move all applications outside, and only then the folder will disappear.
There is also the option of moving an entire folder to another page of the desktop or to the favorites bar (Dock bar) at the bottom of the screen. Simply hold the folder and drag it to the desired area. This is convenient for organizing access to groups of tools.
What happens when you delete a folder?
When you delete a folder, all applications inside are not deleted from the phone. They simply return to the general application menu or remain on the desktop in the form of separate icons, depending on the system settings.
Advanced features and widgets inside folders
Ecosystem Samsung allows you to use not only application icons, but also mini-widgets inside folders. This turns an ordinary group of apps into a functional hub with quick information without taking up extra space on your desktop.
Open a folder and click on the plus icon or select the add widget option from the folder edit menu. You can place a weather widget, calculator, voice recorder or quick settings here. This is especially useful for folders like “Utilities” or “Weather.”
The size of the widget inside the folder can be adjusted. By default it takes the place of two icons, but some widgets can be expanded. Please note that the presence of widgets may slightly increase RAM consumption, although on modern processors Exynos or Snapdragon this is invisible.
Another useful feature is the ability to create nested structures through folders in the application panel. In the Application screen settings, you can enable the display of folders created on the desktop and inside the menu itself. This synchronizes the organization of space in all sections of the interface.
Using widgets inside folders allows you to save space on your desktop by combining the functionality of several applications in one compact interface element.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overload folders with widgets. Too many active items in one group can slow down the opening of a folder and increase battery consumption due to constant updating of data by background processes.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I create a folder inside another folder on Samsung?
Currently, the standard One UI shell does not support the creation of subfolders (a folder within a folder). You can only put apps and widgets in the folder. For a complex hierarchy, it is recommended to use different desktop pages or categories in the application menu.
Why is a folder not created when dragging an icon?
This can happen for several reasons: the home screen lock mode is turned on (check in the desktop settings), you are dragging a widget instead of an application icon, or there is not enough free space on the screen to accommodate a new group. Try to free up space or disable blocking.
How to change the size of icons inside a created folder?
The size of icons inside a folder depends on the overall size of the desktop grid. You can change it in the “Settings” -> “Display” -> “Icon Size” menu. It is impossible to separately adjust the scale only for the contents of a folder without changing the rest of the interface using standard means.
A folder has disappeared after a system update, what should I do?
In rare cases, after major Android updates, the launcher settings may be reset. Check to see if automatic sorting has turned on, which could distribute applications into new categories. Also try restarting the device or resetting the home screen settings in the application menu.
Is it possible to change the transparency of a folder background?
There is no direct transparency setting for folder backgrounds in the standard settings. However, you can change the overall transparency of the taskbar and background through the theme settings in the Galaxy Store or using third-party launchers that support deep customization of the interface.