Many owners of modern smartphones eventually face chaos on their desktop. The phone screen Samsung Galaxy A51 has an excellent diagonal that allows you to place many icons, but without proper organization it turns into a disorderly pile. Structuring applications is not just an aesthetic desire, but a necessity for quick navigation and increasing the productivity of using the gadget.
When the number of installed apps exceeds several dozen, searching for the necessary utility begins to take up precious time. Creating folders on Android allows you to group related applications, freeing up space on the main screen and making the interface intuitive. On the shell One UI this process is implemented as simply as possible, but has its own nuances that are worth knowing for effective work.
In this material we will look in detail at how to create a new directory for applications, how to rename it and what additional features the system provides for customizing the workspace. You will learn not only the basic steps, but also discover hidden features that will help you keep your digital space organized forever.
Basic method of creating a folder using drag and drop
The most common and intuitive way to combine multiple icons into one group is the drag and drop method. It works on all versions of Android and is the de facto standard for mobile interfaces. First, you need to unlock your device and go to the main screen, where all your shortcuts are located.
Tap on the icon of any application and hold your finger on the screen for about one second. You will feel a slight vibration or see that the icon has “come unstuck” and begins to move behind your finger. This is a signal that the desktop is activated. Now, without releasing your finger, drag this icon directly on top of another app that you want to add to the same group. edit mode desktop. Now, without releasing your finger, drag this icon directly on top of the other app that you want to add to the same group.
As soon as the top icon is above the bottom one, the system will automatically create a container. At this point you will see a merge animation and both apps will be inside the new structure. Release your finger to complete the action. The system will prompt you to enter a name, but by default it will use the name of the first moved app or category that the algorithm deems appropriate.
⚠️ Warning: If you release an icon next to another, but not strictly on top of it, a widget may be created or the shortcut will simply be moved to an adjacent cell, rather than merged into a folder.
This method is ideal for quickly sorting "on fly." You can create groups directly while installing new applications, without going into deep menu settings. The main thing is to maintain precision of movements, since the touch screen Galaxy A51 is sensitive to touches.
Use two hands to create folders: hold the phone with one, and drag with the thumb of the other - this way the accuracy of getting icons into icons will be maximum.
An alternative way is through the editing menu
If you find the drag-and-drop method inconvenient or want to create an empty folder in advance so you can fill it later, you can use the home screen editing menu. This approach gives you more control over the arrangement of elements and allows you to plan the structure of your desktop in advance.
To do this, pinch an empty area of the screen with two fingers or simply hold your finger on an empty area of the desktop for a couple of seconds. The settings mode will open, where buttons for adding widgets, wallpapers and settings will appear at the bottom. Select the option that allows you to add a new item, although in its pure form creating an “empty” folder here may not be obvious.
Most often, users combine methods: create a folder by dragging and dropping any two apps, and then empty it or rename it. However, in some launchers it is possible to add a “Folder” widget, but on the stock shell One UI from Samsung priority is given to the icon merging method.
Once the folder is created, you can move it anywhere in the desktop grid. Just long-press on the folder itself and drag it to the page you want or to the dock at the bottom of the screen. This allows you to move the most important groups of applications, such as “Banks” or “Social Networks”, into the quick access zone of your thumb.
☑️ Checking the creation of a folder
Content management and renaming
After creating a group, it is important to name it correctly so as not to get confused in the future. By default, the system may assign a name to the first application or suggest a category like “Tools.” Clicking on the text field under the folder icon activates the keyboard, allowing you to enter your own name that you understand.
To add new applications to an existing folder, the process is similar to creation. You need to hold down the app icon outside the folder and drag it directly onto the group icon. If you want to remove an application from a folder, simply open it, hold down the desired icon and drag it outside the container to a free space on the desktop.
Editing composition folders are also possible by long pressing on the folder itself and selecting “Edit” (if such an option is available in your version of the software) or by simply dragging elements inside the open window. Some versions One UI even allow you to change the order of icons within a group, simply moving them around.
Deleting a folder occurs automatically when you remove all applications from it. As soon as one icon remains in the container, the system disbands the group, and the application returns to the desktop as a single shortcut. This protects against the creation of “empty” folders that take up space but do not carry a functional load.
⚠️ Attention: When you delete applications from a folder, they are not deleted from the phone’s memory, but only returned to the main screen. Do not confuse moving an icon with uninstalling a app.
Customizing the appearance and screen grid
The aesthetics of the desktop plays an important role in the perception of information. On Samsung Galaxy A51 you can flexibly adjust the grid size, which directly affects the size of folders and icons. The fewer cells in the grid, the larger the controls will be, which is convenient for people with large fingers or poor vision.
To change display options, go to the home screen settings. To do this, hold your finger on an empty space and select “Settings” in the lower corner. Here you will find a Screen Grid option where you can choose a configuration like 4x5 or 5x6. Changing this setting will automatically rearrange all folders and icons.
The “Show application names” function is also available. If you disable it, the text under folders and icons will disappear, making the desktop more minimalistic and similar to iOS. However, for folders this may not always be convenient, since without a signature it is more difficult to understand what is inside if the application icons are not obvious.
Use Themes also affects the appearance of the folders. The Galaxy Store theme store offers packages that change the shape of containers, make them transparent, or add animations when opened. This allows you to personalize the device to your taste without obtaining root access.
| Settings option | Impact on folders | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 4x5 grid | Large icons, little space | For easy clicking |
| 5x6 grid | Small icons, plenty of space | For maximum applications |
| Hide names | Cleaner visuals | If you remember the location |
| Transparency | Depends on the topic | For style and minimalism |
Optimal grid size for Samsung A51 - 5x5 or 5x6, as it is a balance between capacity and ease of touching the diagonally 6.5-inch screen.
Hide folders and privacy mode
Data security is a priority for many users. On smartphones Samsung there is a unique “Secure Folder” function, which is radically different from ordinary directories on the desktop. It's an isolated space protected by a password, fingerprint, or PIN.
Normal folders created by dragging and dropping are visible to anyone who picks up the phone. If you want to hide certain applications from prying eyes, the standard method is not enough. You need to activate Secure folder through the security settings or quick settings panel.
Inside the Secure Folder, you can install copies of applications. For example, you might have a regular WhatsApp on your home screen and a second WhatsApp account inside the secure area. The data in these two versions of applications is completely separate and does not overlap.
In addition, the “Secure Folder” icon itself can be hidden from the desktop, leaving access to it only through the notification panel or special settings. This provides the maximum level of privacy for your financial applications, personal photos or correspondence.
How to restore access to the Secure Folder?
If you have forgotten your password, use your Samsung account to reset. Make sure that the recovery function has been enabled in advance in the Samsung Cloud security settings.
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse a regular folder on your desktop with the Secure Folder function. The first is needed for order, the second is for encryption and hiding data. Deleting a regular folder does not require a password.
Common problems and their solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the folder is not created or icons are not dragged. Most often, the reason lies in a locked home screen layout. If this function is active, the system prohibits any changes in the location of the shortcuts, considering the current layout as the final one.
To check this, go to the home screen settings and find the “Layout Lock” item. If the switch is active, turn it off. After this, you will again be able to freely move elements and create new groups. This is a common situation after a firmware update or a factory reset.
Another problem may be lack of space. If the grid is completely full, the system will not allow you to create a new folder or move an existing one. In this case, you need to remove unnecessary widgets or move some of the applications to an adjacent desktop page, freeing up the cell for manipulation.
It is also worth remembering that some system applications may be assigned in a certain order by the manufacturer and cannot be moved to folders. This applies to the standard set of utilities from Samsung and Google, which have priority in the system.
If the screen “lags” when dragging, try restarting the device. This will clear the RAM and remove temporary glitches in the One UI launcher.
Is it possible to create folders inside other folders on the Samsung A51?
No, the standard One UI shell does not support folder nesting (a folder inside a folder). You can only place individual application icons or widgets inside the container. For a complex hierarchy, it is recommended to use third-party launchers.
How many applications can be placed in one folder?
There is no technical limit on the number of applications inside one folder. However, it is visually convenient to place up to 15-20 icons on one folder page. If the number is larger, a second page appears inside the folder, which complicates navigation.
How to delete a folder without deleting applications?
To delete a folder, but keep the apps, you need to open it and drag all the icons one by one outside the folder to the desktop. When the last icon remains inside, the folder will disappear automatically, and the application will remain on the screen.
Why is the folder itself renamed?
The Android system sometimes automatically suggests categories for folders based on applications installed inside. If you add multiple games, the folder may be renamed "Games". To fix your name, just enter it manually after adding all the apps.
Does creating folders affect the speed of the phone?
No, creating folders is purely a visual organization of the interface. It does not affect processor performance, battery consumption, or application launch speed. Folders do not consume additional system resources in the background.