Smartphone desktop on Android quickly turns into chaos if you don’t keep order: dozens of application shortcuts, widgets, folders with photos - all this takes up space and interferes with quick access to the necessary apps. Creating folders for applications solves the problem in a few seconds, but not all users know how to do it correctly. Especially difficulties arise for beginners who have just switched from iOS or received their first Androidsmartphone.

In this article you will find step-by-step guide for all popular shells: standard Android (for example, on Google Pixel or Nokia), One UI from Samsung, MIUI from Xiaomi, EMUI/HarmonyOS from Huawei and others. We will also reveal little-known tricks - for example, how to rename a folder, change its color or hide it from prying eyes. And at the end we will answer common questions that arise. users.

If you think that creating folders is a basic function that works the same on all phones, you are mistaken Manufacturers often modify the interface by adding their own “tricks”. For example, on Samsung Galaxy folders can be made transparent, and on Xiaomi - hide them behind a gesture. But don't worry: even if you have a rare model, the principles remain similar, and you can easily adapt the instructions to your smartphone.

📊 What Android shell are you using?
Standard Android (Pixel, Motorola, etc.)
One UI (Samsung)
MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi)
EMUI/HarmonyOS (Huawei)
Other

Why is it worth grouping applications into folders?

At first glance, folders on the desktop seem like a small thing, but in practice they save up to 30% time here are the key reasons why you should use them:

  • 📱 Ordered screen: instead of 20 shortcuts - 3-4 folders with logical categories ("Social networks", "Work", "Games").
  • ⚡ Fast access: no need to scroll through all screens - one tap on a folder is enough.
  • 🔍 Fewer errors: reduces the risk of accidentally opening the wrong application (relevant for large icons on small screens).
  • 🎨 Aesthetics: the desktop looks cleaner, which reduces visual noise.

Research shows that users who organize applications into folders are less likely to delete them by mistake and adapt to a new smartphone faster. For example, if you switch from iPhone to Android, folders will help reproduce the familiar menu structure.

In addition, folders are useful for privacyhiding. applications (for example, banking or instant messengers with personal correspondence) inside a folder, you reduce the risk that someone will accidentally see them.

⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (for example, Huawei s EMUI 12+) folders are automatically sorted alphabetically. to disable this, go to Settings → Desktop → Sorting applications.

Method 1: Standard method (works on 90% of smartphones)

This method is suitable for pure Android (for example, on Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) and most skins with minimal changes. Here's how to create a folder in 3 steps:

  1. Tap and hold on any application you want to add to the folder until it “rises” above the screen.
  2. Drag it to another application, which should be in the same folder. For example, move WhatsApp to Telegramto create the Messengers folder.
  3. Release your finger - the system will automatically create a folder with two applications.

To add to folder more applications, just drag them inside. The folder will expand to accommodate up to 12–16 shortcuts (depending on the shell). Samsung and Xiaomi folders support scrolling if there are more applications than fit on one screen.

The folder opens with one tap|

All the necessary applications are inside|

The folder name is displayed correctly|

The folder does not block access to the widget or other important icon-->

If you accidentally created a folder and want to delete it, just drag all applications from it back to the desktop. The empty folder will disappear automatically.

💡

On some smartphones (for example Sony Xperia), you can create a folder by dragging the application to an empty space on the screen and selecting the “Create folder” option in the menu that appears.

Method 2: Creating folders on Samsung (One UI)

Shell One UI from Samsung offers advanced settings for folders. Here you can not only group applications, but also change color foldersadd widgets inside it or hide contents from strangers.

Instructions for Samsung Galaxy S23/S22/A54 and other models with One UI 5/6:

  1. Press your finger on any application, then drag it to another.
  2. Release - a folder with an automatically generated name will appear (for example, “Applications” or “Tools”.
  3. Tap on the folder name to rename it (for example, “Social networks” or “Work”).
  4. (Optional) Click on the three dots ⋮ in the upper right corner of the folder to change it color or display style.

A unique feature One UI is the ability to add widgets inside the folder. For example, you can place a weather widget in the “Travel” folder or calendar widget to the “Work” folder. To do this:

  1. Open the folder.
  2. Tap on an empty space inside it and hold your finger.
  3. In the menu that appears, select Widgets and add the one you need.
⚠️ Attention: On Samsung s One UI 4.0 and below the folders do not support scrolling if they have more than 9 applications. In this case, unnecessary shortcuts will be hidden - use subfolders or. sort applications by priority.
Action Standard Android Samsung One UI Xiaomi MIUI
Max. number of applications in a folder 12–16 9 (without scrolling) / 16 (with scrolling in new versions) 12
Support for widgets inside a folder No Yes No
Changing folder color No Yes Yes (only in MIUI 14+)
Hide folders No Yes (via Settings → Desktop → Hide applications) Yes (gesture or password)

Method 3: Features of Xiaomi (MIUI) and Redmi

On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO with the shell MIUI folders work differently than on the standard Android. There are two key features here:

  1. Gesture to hide folders: you can hide the folder behind a swipe down or put a password on it.
  2. Automatic sorting: the system itself may offer to create a folder if there are too many shortcuts on the screen.

How to create a folder on MIUI 13/14:

  1. Long-press the application icon and drag it to another.
  2. Release - a folder will appear asking you to rename it.
  3. (Optional) Tap on the folder, then click Edit (pencil icon) to change it color or style.

To hide the folder from strangers:

  1. Open the folder.
  2. Tap on the three dots ⋮ in the upper right corner.
  3. Select Hide folder and set a password or gesture (for example, swipe down with two fingers).
How to return a hidden folder to MIUI?

To show the folder again, make the gesture you set up (for example, swipe down on the desktop) or enter the password. If you forgot the gesture, go to Settings → Passwords and security → Hidden folders and reset the settings.

On MIUI 14+, folders support “smart sorting": the system analyzes which applications you often use together (for example, YouTube and Chrome), and suggests grouping them. To enable this feature, go to Settings → Desktop → Smart folders.

Method 4: Huawei (EMUI/HarmonyOS) - hidden folders and gestures

On smartphones Huawei i Honor s EMUI or HarmonyOS folders are integrated with the security system. Here you can not only group applications, but also block access to a folder by fingerprint or PIN code.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Long-press an application icon and drag it to another.
  2. Release - the folder has been created. Tap on its name to rename it.
  3. To protect a folder:
    • Open the folder.
    • Tap on the three dots ⋮ → Protect a folder.
    • Select a method locks: Password, Fingerprint or Face.

Unique feature HarmonyOS — gestures for folders. For example, you can set up a double tap on a folder to open the first application inside (useful for frequently used apps). To do this:

  1. Open the folder.
  2. Tap Folder settings → Gestures.
  3. Select an action (for example, “Open first application").
    4. ⚠️ Attention: On Huawei from EMUI 10 and below folders cannot be protected with a password - this function appeared only in EMUI 11+ i HarmonyOS.

    Method 5: Alternative methods (for advanced users)

    If standard folders do not suit you, you can use third-party launchers or system features. Here are 3 non-obvious ways:

    • 📂 Nova Launcher: allows you to create folders with gestures, change their size and even add shortcuts to them for quick actions (for example, calling a contact or starting Do Not Disturb mode).
    • 🔒 Hidden folders via Secure Folder (Samsung): if you need to hide applications not only visually, but also systemically, use Secure Folder in Settings → Biometrics and security.
    • 🤖 ADB commands for automatically creating folders: advanced users can write a script that will sort applications into folders on a schedule (for example, at night). Example command: 
      adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT -n com.android.launcher3/.ShortcutInstallActivity --es name "New folder" --es uri "folder://work"

    If you select Nova Launcher, pay attention to the settings:

    • Long press on the folder → Edit → you can change it transparency, icon and even opening animation.
    • In the section Nova Settings → Folders you can enable the option Swipe to open —the folder will be opened by swiping up instead of tap.
    💡

    Launchers like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher provide more options for customizing folders, but require additional configuration. If you need minimalism, standard Android tools will suffice.

    Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    Even in such a simple procedure as creating folders, users make mistakes. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

    • 🚫 The folder is not created when dragging: check if the screen editing mode is enabled (on some smartphones you must first click on the pencil icon at the bottom of the screen). Also make sure that you are dragging the application to another place and not to an empty space.
    • 🔄 The folder disappears after reboot: this is a bug in some custom firmwares. Solution - update the shell or use another launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).
    • 🔒 You cannot rename the folder: on some versions MIUI and ColorOS (from Oppo/Realme) the name of the folder changes only after long press on its title.
    • 📱 The folder does not open.: you may have accidentally enabled gesture or password protection. Try swiping down on the folder or enter the last used PIN.

If the folder behaves strangely (for example, it does not scroll or does not show all applications), try the following:

  1. Delete the folder and create it again.
  2. Restart your smartphone.
  3. Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → [Your launcher] → Storage → Clear cache.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (for example, Realme s Realme UI) folders cannot be moved between screens If you need to move a folder to another desktop. table, first remove all applications from it, move them, and then group them again.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

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

On standard Android and most shells do not support subfolders. However, the launcher Nova Launcher Prime (paid version) has a function Folder in Folderthat allows you to create multi-level folders. Also some manufacturers (for example, Samsung in One UI 5+) allow you to add folders to screens inside other folders, but this is not Quite nesting, but rather duplication.

How to return a deleted folder?

A folder is deleted automatically if you remove all applications from it. To restore it, simply group the same applications again from the folder, find it in the menu. all applications (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) and drag back.

Why do folders on Android and iPhone work differently?

The main difference is that on iOS folders are created by long pressing on the icon and selecting the “Create folder” option, and on Android —by dragging and dropping. In addition, on iPhone folders support no more than 12 applications and do not have additional settings (color, widgets), while on Android (especially with custom skins) the possibilities are wider.

Is it possible? synchronize folders between two Android devices?

No by standard means. However, if you use a launcher with cloud synchronization (for example, Nova Launcher + Nova Backup), you can save the folder configuration to a file and restore it on another device. Also, some manufacturers (for example, Samsung) offer desktop backup via. account Samsung Cloud.

How to make a folder invisible?

There are several ways:

  • On Xiaomi: use the folder hiding function (see the section about MIUI).
  • On Samsung: hide folders through Secure Folder.
  • Universal method: install the launcher Apex Launcher or Nova Launcher and enable the option to hide folders in the settings.
  • For advanced: use the ADB command to hide the folder systemically (requires root access).