Modern Huawei smartphones have powerful functionality and high-quality screens, which allows you to install dozens of different applications for work and entertainment. However, when the number of icons on the desktop begins to grow exponentially, it becomes increasingly difficult for the user to navigate the chaos of symbols. Putting order in the digital environment is not just an aesthetic step, but also a way to increase productivity, allowing you to find the necessary apps in a split second.
The Android operating system in conjunction with a proprietary shell EMUI or a new one HarmonyOS provides intuitive tools for organizing space. Creating folders is a basic skill that every device owner who wants to keep the interface clean should master. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the nuances of grouping applications, and also consider hidden features that not all users know about.
The process of organizing your desktop takes only a few minutes, but the result will remain with you for the entire time you use the gadget. We'll look at standard drag-and-drop methods, creating folders through the settings menu, and even touch on automating this process. Icon structuring This is the first step to personalizing your device to suit your own needs.
The basic method of creating a folder by dragging and dropping
The most common and fastest way to combine several applications in one group is the use of the Drag-and-Drop function. First, you need to unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen, where all your shortcuts are located. Find two icons that you want to combine, for example, instant messengers or games.
Press one of the icons with your finger and hold your finger until the application “sticks” to the cursor and a slight vibration appears. Without releasing your finger, start dragging the selected application directly on top of the second one, which should be part of the new group. As soon as you point the first icon over the second, the system will automatically create a container, and both apps will be inside it.
After the folder is created, you can rename it by clicking on the name field, which is usually generated automatically by the system based on the application category. This action allows you to set a unique namewhich will be clear to you, and not the standard “Folder” or “Tools”.
It is worth noting that when dragging, it is important to be careful so as not to displace other widgets or accidentally delete a shortcut. If you release your finger in the wrong place, the application will simply move to an empty space nearby. Touchscreen Modern Huawei reacts very precisely, so one confident movement usually solves the problem.
Organizing space through editing mode
B shells EMUI and Magic UI there is a special desktop editing mode that opens up advanced options for managing elements. To get into it, you need to pinch with two fingers on the main screen or simply hold your finger on an empty area for a long time. The screen will shrink and you will see all the available pages, widgets and design settings.
In this mode, you can not only move icons, but also immediately see the overall picture of how the desktop memory is filled. Once you select the application you want, you can drag it into an existing folder or create a new one by simply placing one icon on top of another. This method is especially convenient when you need to distribute many apps into different categories at the same time.
The function of hiding applications or moving them to a safe folder is also available here, if such an option is activated in the security settings. Editing mode gives full control over the visual part of the interface, allowing you to change the wallpaper, add widgets and adjust the screen grid.
⚠️ Attention: In some versions of the firmware, when entering the editing mode, the sensor may be temporarily disabled to prevent accidental clicks, so control is carried out only by touching, and not by swiping off the screen.
Using the editing mode also allows you to quickly clear the desktop of unused widgets, which often take up a lot of space places. You can delete them in one motion by simply dragging them to the top of the screen where the trash can icon or cross appears. This helps make room for new, more important functional blocks function blocks.
Customizing the appearance and names of folders
After creating a folder, the system often assigns it a standard name based on the type of applications contained within. For example, if you combined Maps and Navigation, the folder might be called Navigation. However, you can always change this name to match your personal data organization logic.
To rename, just open the folder and click on the text field at the top of the window that appears. The keyboard is automatically activated, allowing you to enter any text, including emoji, which makes navigation even more visual. Personalization of names helps you quickly find the desired groups of applications, especially if you have a lot of them.
In addition, in the interface settings you can change the font size or display style of shortcuts, which indirectly affects the perception of folders. Some themes offer unique designs for folder backgrounds, making them transparent, blurred, or colored. This allows you to harmoniously fit organizational elements into the overall style shells.
Use emoji in folder names instead of text or together with it - this speeds up the visual reading of information and adds individuality to the interface.
Do not forget that excess decoration can reduce readability, so it is better to stick to minimalism. The main thing is that the title reflects the essence of the content and is easy to read at a quick glance. Visual noise on the screen is often distracting and creates a feeling of clutter, even if all the files are sorted.
Working with widgets inside folders
Many users do not know that you can add not only application shortcuts, but also widgets to folders on Android. This is especially true for tools that need to be always at hand, but do not require constant visual control on the main screen. For example, you can place a weather or exchange rate widget inside the “Finance” or “Information” folder.
To add a widget to a folder, first create it, and then through the widget menu (accessible through editing mode) drag the desired item inside the open folder. It is worth considering that the size of the widget must correspond to the available space, otherwise the system may not allow placement. Compact widgets are ideal for such grouping.
Using widgets inside folders helps save space on the home screen while maintaining quick access to functionality. You can open a folder, quickly glance at the information, and close it without cluttering the main work area. This is a great way to combine the aesthetics of minimalism and practical use.
| Item type | Can be added to a folder | Display features |
|---|---|---|
| Application shortcut | Yes | Standard icon |
| Widget (small) | Yes | Occupies 1-2 cells |
| Widget (large) | No/Limited | Requires a lot of space |
| Contact label | Yes | Round avatar |
However, it is worth remembering that active widgets can consume more battery life, even when collapsed inside a folder. If you notice an accelerated discharge, try to analyze which elements are in your groups. Optimizing the number of active widgets is part of caring for your autonomy device.
Automatic application sorting
For those who prefer to delegate routine tasks to the system, Huawei offers an automatic sorting function. In some firmware versions, when cleaning the desktop or after a major update, the system may prompt you to “Organize applications.” The algorithm analyzes the types of apps and arranges them into thematic folders without user intervention.
This function is useful when initially setting up a new smartphone, when you need to quickly establish the basic structure. However, automation does not always understand the user’s logic, so manual adjustments after automatic sorting will still be required. Artificial intelligence groups applications by categories specified by the developers, and not by the frequency of your use.
To start automatic sorting, if it is available in your version of the software, you need to go to the desktop settings table and find the corresponding item. Often this option is hidden in the Recommendations or Smart Features menu. The system itself will decide which applications to combine based on their metadata.
☑️ Checking readiness for sorting
Despite the convenience, you should not rely completely on automation, since your habits may differ from standard scenarios. Manually creating folders ensures that the apps that are important to you will be located exactly where you are used to seeing them. The flexibility of manual configuration in this case outperforms template solutions.
Deleting and managing folder contents
Creating folders is only half the battle; it is important to be able to manage them correctly, remove unnecessary things and redistribute content. To delete the folder itself, you need to remove all applications from it. When the last item is left in the folder, the container automatically disappears when you check it out. This is standard behavior of the operating system Android.
If you just want to delete the application located in the folder, open the group, click on the icon and select “Delete” or drag it to the trash bin that appears at the top of the screen. When you delete system applications, they may simply disappear from the desktop, remaining in the phone's memory, while user apps will be completely deleted. Be careful when cleaning system shortcuts.
You can also move applications between different folders by simply dragging them. If you accidentally create duplicate folders, combine their contents into one and delete the empty one. Constantly reviewing the content helps to maintain order and not lose important apps among many identical names.
⚠️ Attention: Removing a shortcut from a folder does not always mean deleting the application itself. Check the All Apps menu to make sure that the app is indeed erased from the device, if that was your goal.
Regular desktop maintenance, including deleting unused folders, has a positive effect on the speed of the interface. Although modern Huawei processors can easily handle any number of icons, visual neatness is important for a comfortable interaction. A clean desktop is a sign of a well-kept digital space.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to create a folder inside another folder on Huawei?
At the moment, the standard EMUI and HarmonyOS shell does not support the creation of subfolders (a folder within a folder). However, you can use third-party launchers from Google Play that provide this functionality for advanced space organization.
What if the folder is not created when you drag?
Make sure you hold the icon long enough until it expands in size. Also check to see if the screen is full of widgets that might block the creation of new items. In rare cases, rebooting helps launcher through the settings.
Does the number of folders affect the speed of the smartphone?
The mere fact of having folders does not affect the performance of the processor or memory. However, a crowded desktop with dozens of widgets and heavy wallpapers can slightly slow down the rendering of the interface when scrolling through pages.
How to rename a folder if the keyboard does not appear?
Try clicking exactly in the center of the name text field. If this doesn't help, close the folder and open it again, then try again. In some cases, you may need to refresh the settings page or reboot your device to reset input glitches.
Secret folder trick
You can create a folder, name it a dot or a space, so it appears as empty space on the screen, hiding apps from prying eyes.
Creating folders is a simple but powerful tool for increasing the efficiency of using your smartphone, turning the chaos of icons into a logical and convenient system.