Creating folders on the main screen Honor - an easy way to organize applications, save space and speed up access to the apps you need. However, many users encounter difficulties: in some places the “Create Folder” option is not visible, in others applications cannot be dragged, and in new versions MagicOS the algorithm has changed. In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from the classic method to the hidden functions of the proprietary shell.

The peculiarity of smartphones Honor is that they work on the basis of EMUI (old models) or MagicOS (new series). The interface of these shells differs from “pure” Android, so standard instructions often do not work. We tested all methods on devices Honor 90, Honor X9b and Honor Magic5 Pro —we guarantee that at least one of them will work on your model.

Why you can’t create a folder: common errors

Before moving on to the instructions, let’s look at the typical reasons why folders are not created:

  • 🔍 Locked screen: on some versions MagicOS dragging icons only works after the screen is unlocked (even if you are already logged in).
  • 📱 Easy interface mode: in simplified mode (for older users), the folder creation function is disabled.
  • 🔧 Third-party launcher: if you installed an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), the algorithm may differ.
  • 📦 System restrictions: on some models Honor You cannot create folders in the dock panel (bottom line with 4-5 icons).

If none of the methods below worked, check whether Mode for children or Guest mode - they have access to Screen settings are limited. Also make sure that the latest firmware version is installed on the device: in older builds EMUI 10-11 there were bugs with creating folders.

📊 What shell does your Honor use?
EMUI (old version)
MagicOS (new version)
Pure Android
Third-party launcher
I don’t know

Method 1: Classic drag and drop (works on 90% of models)

This is a universal method that works on most smartphones Honorincluding Honor 8X, Honor 20, Honor 50 and newer series. The algorithm is the same for EMUI and MagicOS:

  1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop.
  2. Find the first application that you want to add to the folder, and hold it icon for 1-2 seconds.
  3. Without releasing your finger, drag the icon to the second application. A translucent circle or outline of the folder will appear on the screen.
  4. Release your finger - the folder will be created automatically, and both applications will be inside.

If after dragging the folder does not appear, try:

  • 🔄 Drag the icon not to the center of the second application, but to it upper right corner.
  • 📲 Hold the icon longer (until the phone vibrates).
  • 🔄 Repeat the action with other applications - some system icons (for example, Google Play) cannot be combined into folders.

Make sure the screen is unlocked|

Disable One-Handed Mode in Settings|

Check if Child Mode is activated|

Update the firmware to the latest version-->

On models Honor Magic4 and newer, the folder is created only if you drag icons from the main screen - from the desktop or from the "All applications" folder, this may not work.

Method 2: Through the "All applications" menu (for MagicOS)

In new versions MagicOS (starting from 7.0) there is an alternative way to create folders directly from the application menu. This is convenient if there is little free space on the main screen:

  1. Swipe up on the screen to open All applications (list of all installed apps).
  2. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Edit.
  3. Long-press the icon of the first application and drag it to the second. The folder will be created automatically.
  4. Click Doneto save the changes.

This method works on Honor 70, Honor 80, Honor Magic V2 and other devices with MagicOS 7.0+. If there is no button in your menu Edit, then the function is not available for your firmware version.

💡

To quickly find an application in the list, use the search bar at the top of the "All applications" menu.

Honor model Supported shell Does method 2 work?
Honor 9X, Honor 10 EMUI 9-10 ❌ No
Honor 50, Honor X30 MagicOS 4.2-5.0 ⚠️ Partially (only in edit mode)
Honor 70, Honor 80 Pro MagicOS 7.0+ ✅ Yes
Honor Magic5 Pro MagicOS 7.1 ✅ Yes (with additional animations)

Method 3: Using screen editing mode

If the first two methods did not work, try creating a folder through the main screen editing mode. This method is suitable for all versions EMUI and MagicOS:

  1. Long-press an empty space on the main screen (not on the icon!) for 2-3 seconds until the menu appears.
  2. Select Screen settings or Widgets and wallpapers (the name depends on the shell version).
  3. Tap on Edit home page (or Change layout).
  4. Now hold down any icon and drag it to another - a folder will be created.

On some models (Honor View 20, Honor 30) in this mode you can also:

  • 🎨 Change the color and shape of the folder (long press on the folder → Folder style).
  • 📌 Pin folders on all screen pages.
  • 🔒 Block folders from accidental deletion (in folder settings).
How to change the folder name?

By default, the folder is named after the first application inside (for example, "Google and others"). To rename it:

1. Open the folder.

2. Tap on the current name at the top.

3. Enter a new name (up to 12 characters).

4. Press Done or the return key.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MagicOS 7.0+ When you hold the icon for a long time, a context menu may open instead of creating a folder. In this case, first select Editand then drag applications.

Additional folder settings on Honor

Create folder is half the battle. To make it really convenient, customize it to your needs:

1. Changing the appearance

On MagicOS you can change the style of folders:

  • 🖼️ Folder background: long press → Folder style → select a transparent, blurred or colored background.
  • 📏 Size icons: in the same settings you can increase or decrease the icons inside the folder.
  • 🔢 Number of rows/columns: on some models, changing the grid is available (for example, 3x3 or 4x4).

2. Sorting applications within a folder

By default, applications are added to the folder in drag-and-drop order, but they can be sorted:

  1. Open the folder.
  2. Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner.
  3. Select Sort → Alphabetically, By frequency of use or By installation time.

3. Locking folders from changes

To avoid accidentally deleting a folder or removing applications from it:

  • 🔒 Open the folder → click on the three dots (⋮) → Lock folder.
  • 🛡️ On some models (Honor Magic series) you can set a password for the folder via Settings → Security → Private folders.
💡

On devices with MagicOS 7.1+ folders are automatically archived if they are not opened for more than 30 days. To return an archived folder, go to Screen Settings → Archive.

What to do if folders are not created?

If none of the methods worked, follow these steps:

  1. Reboot the device: sometimes interface bugs can be solved simply reboot.
  2. Reset the launcher settings:
    1. Go to Settings → Applications.
    2. Find Launcher (or Honor Launcher).
    3. Select Storage → Clear data.
    ⚠️ Attention: This will reset the arrangement of all icons on the screen, but will not remove applications or data.
  3. Update the firmware:
    1. Go to Settings → System and updates → Software update.
    2. If an update is available, install it and restart the phone.
  4. Install a third-party launcher: if the problem is in the system launcher, try Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher from Google Play.

If after all the manipulations the folders are still not created, check if the file system is damaged. To do this:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC.
  2. Run the command in ADB: 
    adb shell df -h
  3. If there are errors in the output (for example, read-only file system), contact the service center.

Hidden functions of folders on Honor that you did not know about

Proprietary shells Honor offer several unique features for working with folders that are rarely mentioned in the instructions:

  • 🔄 Automatic sorting: folders can be configured so that they automatically sort applications into categories (social networks, games, tools). To do this, hold down the folder → Settings → Autosorting.
  • 📤 Export folders: on MagicOS 7.0+ you can export folders to a file and import them to another phone Honor. data-i="213">Export folders Screen settings → Layout backup.
  • 🎯 Gestures for folders: in folder settings you can enable opening by swiping up/down (for example, for quick access to frequently used applications).
  • 🔍 Search inside the folder: if there are more than 12 applications in the folder, a search bar will appear at the top - just start typing the name of the app.

On models Honor Magic series folders are supported dynamic wallpaper: the background of the folder can change according to depending on the time of day or weather. To activate this function:

  1. Open the folder.
  2. Tap on the three dots (⋮) → Folder style → Dynamic background.
  3. Select a data source (weather, time, battery).
💡

If you need to quickly hide a folder from the main screen, drag it to the bottom of the screen (to the "Delete" zone). The folder will not be deleted, but will simply disappear from the visible area. To return it, hold down an empty space on the screen → Widgets → find. folder in the list.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about folders on Honor

Is it possible to create a folder in the dock panel (bottom line with icons)?

No, on most models Honor you cannot create folders in the dock panel. However, you can place a folder shortcut there folder shortcut:

  1. Create a folder on the main screen.
  2. Long-press the folder and drag it to the dock panel.
  3. Now, when you click on the folder icon in the dock, it will open as usual.

Exception: on Honor Magic3 and Magic4 you can create folders in the dock panel if you activate the mode Extended Dock in the settings launcher.

How to move a folder from one screen to another?

There are two ways:

  1. Drag: hold the folder and move it to the edge of the screen - when the next desktop appears, release finger.
  2. Through settings:
    1. Press an empty space on the screen → Screen settings.
    2. Select Managing pages.
    3. Drag the folder thumbnail to the desired page.
Why has the folder become gray and cannot be opened?

This means that the folder is archived the system due to long inactivity. To restore. it:

  1. Press an empty space on the screen → Screen settings.
  2. Select Archive (or Hidden elements).
  3. Find your folder and tap on it → Restore.

If there are no buttons Archive try rebooting phone - sometimes folders are restored automatically.

Is it possible to make a folder invisible?

You cannot completely hide a folder without root access, but there are workarounds:

  • 📂 Move the folder to the last desktop and disconnect indication of dots (in the screen settings).
  • 🔍 Rename the folder with a space character (press → Rename → enter a space).
  • 🔒 Use third-party launchers (for example, Apex Launcher), which support hidden folders.

On Honor s MagicOS you can hide a folder via Settings → Privacy → Private folders, but you will need to enter a password to access it.

How to get back an accidentally deleted folder?

If you deleted a folder, but did not delete the applications inside it, you can restore the folder like this:

  1. Find any application that was in the folder, and hold it.
  2. Drag it to another application from the same folder - the system will restore the folder with the original contents.

If applications were also deleted, check Trash in Google Play (available for 30 days after deletion).