How to remove unnecessary icons from the Honor desktop: a complete guide

The smartphone desktop Honor quickly fills with application shortcuts, folders and widgets - especially if you are actively installing apps or synchronize data with the cloud. Over time, such chaos not only spoils the appearance of the interface, but also slows down navigation. Fortunately, the shell EMUI (and its fork MagicOS for new models) provides several ways to clear the screen - from basic removal to hiding system icons that cannot be removed using standard methods.

In this article we will look at all the current methods, including little-known tricks for models. Honor 70/80/90, Honor Magic 5/6 and older devices on EMUI 10–12. You will learn how to:

• 🗑️ Remove application shortcuts without uninstalling the apps themselves
• 👁️ Hide system icons (for example, Google or HiSuite)
• 📁 Organize remaining shortcuts into folders or additional screens
• 🔧 Use third-party launchers for flexible settings

Important: some methods require administrator rights or activation developer modeIf you are a beginner, start with the first two sections - they are suitable for any models Honor without risk. failures.

1. Standard removal of shortcuts from the desktop

The easiest way is to remove unnecessary icons directly from the screen. This method works on all versions EMUI/MagicOS and does not require additional settings. Here's how to do it:

1. Press and hold your finger on the icon you want to remove.
2. After 1-2 seconds, a menu will appear above the shortcut (or it will begin to “rise” above the screen).
3. Drag the icon to the top of the screen to the inscription "Delete" (or "Remove" on new versions).
4. Release your finger - the shortcut will disappear, but the application itself will remain in the menu of all apps.

⚠️ Attention: This method removes only shortcutand not the application itself. To completely uninstall the app, go to Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Delete.

If the icon is not removed (for example, system applications like Camera or Phone), try the methods from the following sections. Also note that on some models Honor (for example, Honor Play 30) the delete menu may look different - instead of dragging, a context menu with a button will appear "Remove from screen".

Shortcut is not a system application

On there is free space on the screen for a gesture

The device is not in "Children's Control" mode

The application is not blocked by the administrator-->

2. Hiding icons through the launcher settings

There is a built-in function hiding applications, which allows you to remove icons not only from the desktop, but also from the menu of all apps. This method is suitable for system applications that cannot be deleted in the standard way (for example, EMUI/MagicOS There is a built-in function for hiding applications, which allows you to remove icons not only from the desktop, but also from the menu of all apps. This method is suitable for system applications that cannot be removed in the standard way (for example, HiSuite, Huawei Mobile Services or Google Play Market).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (gear icon).
2. Go to section Applications → Manage applications.
3. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Hide applications".
4. Tick the apps whose icons you want to hide and click "Done".

After this, the shortcuts will disappear from the desktop and from the general list of applications. To get them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the hidden applications. will still run in the background and take up memory space.

🔹 Restriction: Some system applications (for example, Settings or Messages) cannot be hidden even in this way. For them you will need to use third-party launchers or ADB commands.

3. Organizing shortcuts into folders and additional screens

If you don’t want to completely remove icons, but the desktop looks overloaded, the best solution is to group shortcuts into folders or distribute them across several screens. This is especially true. convenient for users who often use the same applications (for example, social networks, instant messengers or work tools).

How to create a folder on Honor:

1. Tap and hold one icon, then drag it to another.
2. Release your finger - a folder with two applications.
3. Tap the folder name (by default - "Folder") to rename it (for example, "Social networks" or "Work").
4. Add other shortcuts to the folder by dragging them inside.

How to add a new screen:

• 📱 Scroll the desktop all the way to the left until a blank screen appears.
• 📌 Click on the free space and select "Widgets" or "Shortcuts"to fill it.
• 🔄 To delete extra screen, pinch two fingers on the desktop (zoom gesture) and drag the unnecessary screen to the trash.

The advantage of this method is that you do not lose access to applications, but at the same time the desktop looks neat. For example, you can create separate screens for:

• 💼 Work tools (Mail, Calendar, Zoom)
• 🎮 Games and entertainment
• 📸 Photo/video editors

4. Mode)

If you need to clear the desktop of unnecessary elements as much as possible, there is a special mode EMUI/MagicOS there is a special mode "Simple screen" (or "Easy mode" on new models). It simplifies the interface, removing all widgets and leaving only the main large icons. This mode is often used by older people or those who prefer. minimalism.

How to enable:

1. Open Settings → System and updates → Special capabilities.
2. Select "Simple screen" (or "Simplified mode").
3. Activate the switch and confirm the change.

After activation, the desktop will be transformed:

• 🗂️ All icons will become larger and will be located on one screen.
• 🚫 Weather widgets, clocks and other elements will disappear.
• 🔍 A search button will appear for quick access to applications.

⚠️ Attention: In this mode, some functions may be limited (for example, you cannot add widgets or change wallpaper). To return to the standard view, repeat the steps and disable the mode.

5. Installing a third-party launcher for flexible settings

If the built-in tools EMUI/MagicOS do not suit you, you can install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher). These apps allow you to:

• 🔍 Completely hide the icons of system applications.
• 🎨 Change the style of icons, animations and fonts.
• 📱 Add gestures for quick access to functions.
• 🔒 Block accidental deletion of shortcuts.

How to install and configure Nova Launcher:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play Market or AppGallery.
2. After installation, click button "Home" and select Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
3. Press your finger on an empty space on the desktop and select "Nova Settings".
4. Go to Application settings → Hide applications and mark those that you want to remove from the screen.

Nova Launcher allows you to hide even those system applications that cannot be hidden using standard EMUI tools (for example, Huawei AppGallery or Petal Search).

🔹 Important: When using third-party launchers, battery consumption may slightly increase (by 2-5%), since the app runs on top of the standard interface. To minimize the impact, disable unnecessary animations in the launcher settings.

6. Removing icons via ADB (for advanced users)

If you are ready for more complex manipulations, you can use ADB commands (Android Debug Bridge) to disable system applications. users who want to get rid of pre-installed software (for example, Facebook, TikTok or Huawei Browser), without having root access.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Activate developer mode:
   • Go to Settings → About phone.
   • Tap 7 times on the line "Build number" (a notification "You have become a developer" will appear).

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app