Organizing a workspace on a mobile device is not just an aesthetic whim, but an urgent necessity for every owner of a modern gadget. When the number of installed ones applications counts in the dozens, searching for the desired icon turns into a tedious process of flipping through endless screens. Users of brand smartphones Honor often face the issue of optimizing the interface, especially after switching from other operating systems or updating the shell MagicOS. A competent folder structure allows you to instantly find instant messengers, banking services or games, saving valuable time and reducing cognitive load.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of creating, configuring and deleting directories on the desktop of your device. You will learn about the nuances of working with the interface Android in the shell from Huawei i Honor, which may differ from the pure Android. We'll cover not only the basic drag-and-drop techniques, but also the hidden customization options available in the latest firmware versions. Understanding these mechanisms will help you turn a chaotic collection of icons into an organized system that is convenient for use with one hand.
Basic method of creating a folder via drag and drop
The most intuitive and common way to group applications is available on any device running Android. First you need to unlock the screen and go to the main desktop, where all your shortcuts are located. Find two application icons that you want to combine into one group. These could be, for example, messengers or banking clients that you use daily.
Click on one of the icons and hold your finger on the screen for a second until the device goes into editing mode. At this point, the icons may become slightly smaller, and additional control buttons will appear at the top or bottom of the screen. Without releasing your finger, begin dragging the selected application directly on top of the second application, which should become part of the new group. As soon as the top icon touches the bottom, the system will automatically create container and place both elements there.
After successful merging, you will see a folder appear with the default name, which the system automatically suggests. This is usually the name of one of the applications inside or an umbrella term, such as "Social Networks". You can immediately rename it by clicking on the text box above the icons. This method is universal for most launchers, including the standard one Honor Desktop.
⚠️ Attention: If when dragging the icon “bounces” to its original place, there may be no free space on the desktop to expand the grid. Try creating a folder on an empty area of the screen by dragging one application to a free area, and then adding a second one there.
☑️ Preparing the desktop
Alternative ways to group applications
In addition to the classic "drag-and-drop" method, there are other options for organizing space that may be useful in specific scenarios. Some users prefer to create an empty area first and then fill it with content. To do this, on a free space on the desktop you need to long press the appearance of the settings menu, although in its pure form creating an “empty folder” without icons using standard means MagicOS is often unavailable.
Instead, you can use the quick add function. If you just installed a new application from the store Google Play or AppGallery, its icon may appear in the dock or on the last free screen. You can immediately drag it into an existing thematic group without creating a new one from scratch. This is especially true for those who regularly test new software and want to maintain order.
It is also worth noting the possibility of using third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcherif the standard capabilities of the system do not suit you. They allow you to create folders with advanced appearance settings, including background transparency, icon shape, and opening animation. However, the use of third-party software may affect power consumption and stability control gestures.
Use the dock panel at the bottom of the screen only for the most frequently used applications (no more than 4-5 pieces) so as not to overload the interface and speed up access to basic functions.
Customizing appearance and renaming folders
After creating a folder, it is critical to give it a clear name that reflects its contents. Standard names like "Folder" or the first letters of applications are often confusing. To change the name, simply click on the text field above the icons inside an open or closed folder. A virtual keyboard will appear automatically, allowing you to enter any name, including Emoji for visual highlighting.
The visual component plays an important role in the perception of the interface. In the theme settings Honor you can change the display style of folders. Some themes offer square, round, or even custom container shapes. These settings are usually accessed by long pressing on an empty area of the screen and selecting Wallpaper and style or Themes.
Pay attention to the font size of the folder name. In the Settings → Screen and brightness → Text size and display section you can adjust the interface scale. This will affect not only the system labels, but also the readability of your directory names. For users with low vision, increasing the font will make navigation much more comfortable.
| Settings option | Impact on the interface | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Font size | Folder name readability | Screen settings |
| Theme style | Icon shape and color | Themes application |
| Desktop grid | Number of icons in a row | Desktop settings |
| Transparency | Wallpaper visibility under the folder | Third-party launchers |
Content management: adding and deleting
Dynamic folder content management allows you to adapt the workspace to current tasks. To add a new application to an already created group, just open the folder and drag the icon from the desktop there. The process is similar to crafting: hold the item and place it inside an open container. The system will automatically adjust the grid to accommodate the new element.
If an application has become less used or you decide to remove it from a specific category, the extraction procedure is just as simple. Open the folder, find the icon you need, hold it and drag it outside the folder boundaries to an empty space on the desktop. As soon as you release your finger, the application will leave the group and become an independent shortcut.
Deleting the application itself from the phone’s memory is also possible directly from the folder. To do this, you need to drag the icon to the top of the screen, where an area with the inscription Delete or a trash can icon will appear. It is important to distinguish between deleting a shortcut from a folder and completely uninstalling the app. In the first case, the app remains in the system, in the second, it is completely erased from the device.
⚠️ Attention: When deleting system applications or Google services through a folder, you may disrupt the operation of other apps. Uninstall only those apps whose purpose you are completely sure of.
Features of the MagicOS interface and gestures
The shell MagicOSinstalled on smartphones Honorhas its own unique features of interaction with the desktop. Unlike pure Android, additional services and widgets can be preinstalled here, which take up space in the grid. When creating folders, it is important to consider that some system widgets (for example, weather or news) may block the placement of icons in certain cells.
Gesture navigation also affects the usability of working with folders. If you have gesture controls enabled instead of on-screen buttons, accidentally swiping from the edge of the screen may collapse a folder or switch workspace. To avoid this, try to make precise movements when dragging icons, without affecting the edge areas of the display.
Recent firmware updates have introduced a “smart sorting” feature that can automatically suggest creating folders based on how often you use apps. Although this feature is useful, it sometimes groups apps in a way that the user does not want. You can always disable automatic sorting in the launcher settings and manually distribute the icons as you wish.
What to do if the folder is not created?
If the system does not respond to drag and drop, try restarting the device. Sometimes a temporary glitch in the SystemUI process blocks desktop editing functionality. Also check to see if "Simple Mode" is enabled for seniors, which limits customization options.
Solving common problems and errors
Despite the simplicity of the operation, users sometimes encounter technical difficulties. One of the common problems is the inability to move an icon to a folder due to the “stuck” interface. In this case, clearing the launcher cache helps. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Applications → Honor Desktop (or Desktop) and select the option to clear the cache. This will not delete your data, but will clear temporary interface errors.
Another situation is the disappearance of a folder after a system reboot or update. This may happen if you used a third-party launcher that was not set as the default app. When you reset the settings, the system returns the standard launcher, and all custom folders of third-party software become unavailable until the launcher is reactivated.
If the icons inside the folder are not displayed correctly (for example, a white square instead of a logo), try changing the theme to the standard one, and then returning yours. This forces the system to reload the icon resources. In rare cases, completely removing the problematic application and reinstalling it from the official store helps.
The stability of the folders directly depends on the firmware version and the selected launcher. If critical errors occur, always check for system updates first.
Is it possible to create a folder inside another folder on Honor?
Creating nested folders (a folder inside a folder) is not supported by standard MagicOS shell tools. The system only allows a single-level directory structure on the desktop. To implement nesting, you will need third-party launchers with advanced functionality, but their use can lead to unstable operation of the device.
How many applications can be placed in one folder?
There is practically no technical limit on the number of applications in one folder. You can add dozens of icons there. However, from an ergonomic point of view, it is not recommended to place more than 9-12 applications in one group, as this will require scrolling inside the folder and will complicate the search for the desired shortcut.
Why is the folder itself renamed?
Some versions of the system try to “guess” the name of the folder based on the applications being added. If you add a new messenger to the “Games” folder, the system may offer to rename it to “Communication” or “Software”. This behavior can be controlled by manually returning the desired name immediately after adding a new item.
How to delete a folder without deleting applications?
To delete the folder itself, but keep all the applications in it on the desktop, you need to drag all the icons from the folder one by one to free space on the screen. As soon as there is no application left in the folder, it will disappear automatically.
Does the number of folders affect the speed of a smartphone?
The mere fact of having folders does not affect the performance of the processor or RAM. However, a cluttered desktop with a large number of widgets and a complex folder structure may slightly increase the interface rendering time when the screen is turned on. For older device models, it is recommended to keep the home screen as clean as possible.