How to remove icons from the Android screen on Honor

Brand smartphones Honor have one of the most thoughtful interfaces based on Android, however, even experienced users sometimes encounter chaos on the desktop. Over time, the number of installed apps grows, and the screen is filled with dozens of icons that distract and slow down visual perception. The standard procedure for deleting a shortcut seems obvious, but in shells EMUI and Magic UI there are nuances that not everyone knows about.

Users often confuse deleting the application itself with deleting only its shortcut from the screen. These are two different operations with different consequences for the system. In this article, we will look in detail at how to properly clean desktop, hide unnecessary icons and system utilities, as well as how to return accidentally deleted widgets.

We will consider methods for both standard launchers and for cases when deeper interface customization is required. Proper organization of space affects not only aesthetics, but also the speed of access to the necessary functions. Let's look at all the available ways to clear the screen of unnecessary elements.

Basic method of removing application shortcuts

The simplest and most common method of removing an icon from the main screen does not lead to uninstalling the software itself. When you remove a shortcut this way, the app remains in the phone's memory and is accessible through the all applications menu. To perform this operation, you need to hold your finger on the unnecessary icon.

After the icon begins to “vibrate” or the action menu appears, drag it to the top or bottom of the screen. Depending on the firmware version Honor, an area with the inscription “Delete” or a trash can icon will appear there. Release your finger when the area lights up red. It is important to understand that you are deleting only link the application, and not the file itself.

This method is ideal for cases when you rarely use the app, but do not want to delete it completely. For example, apps for ordering a taxi or food delivery often take up screen space but are only needed occasionally. By removing them from the main screen, you will retain access through the general list, but free up useful space.

• 🗑️ Hold the icon and drag it to the "Delete" zone to clear the desktop.
• 📂 Move rarely used applications to special folders for grouping.
• 🔄 Use weather or clock widgets instead of individual icons to save space.

⚠️ Attention: If, when you try to drag an icon to the trash, the message “Unable to delete a system application” appears, this means that this utility is built into the firmware. Its shortcut can be hidden, but not deleted using standard means.

Differences between deleting a shortcut and uninstalling

Many users do not see the difference between clearing the screen and Complete removal of the app, which may lead to the loss of important data or functions. When you select the "Uninstall" option directly from the long press menu (if available for third-party applications), the system asks for confirmation to uninstall. This action completely erases APK file and all associated data from the device's memory.

Unlike simply hiding the icon, uninstalling frees up the internal memory of the smartphone. This is critical for models with small storage capacity. However, if you uninstall a system application in this way (if you have root access or via ADB), this may disrupt the operation of operating system or other dependent services.

For third-party apps downloaded from Google Play or Huawei AppGallery, complete uninstallation is safe. You can always download them again. It is better to simply remove system applications, such as “Themes”, “Gallery” or “Settings” from the screen, leaving them in a hidden menu. This guarantees the stability of the Honor smartphone.

Action	Impact on memory	Recovery	Risk to the system
Removal shortcut	No influence	Instant from the menu	Absent
Uninstalling the application	Frees up space	Requires re-installation loading	Low (for third-party software)
Disable system software	Minimum	Through settings	Medium (failures are possible)
Hide through settings	No influence	Changing the configuration	None

Hiding system icons through settings launchers

Shells EMUI and Magic UI provide built-in functionality for hiding applications, which often goes unnoticed. This feature allows you to remove icons from the desktop and from the general menu, making them invisible to prying eyes or simply streamlining the interface. To activate this option, you need to go to the settings of the launcher itself.

Go to Settings and find the section Home screen or Desktop. In some firmware versions this option may be called "Hidden Applications". By clicking on this item, you will see a list of all installed apps. Just check the box next to those applications whose icons you want hide.

After activating hiding, access to these applications can only be obtained through a special gesture or password, if such a function is configured. Typically this involves swiping up or to the right on a specific desktop screen. This is a great way to remove system “junk” that cannot be deleted, but which interferes with your view.

How to enter a hidden folder?

Usually it is enough to swipe with two fingers to the sides on the main screen or enter a previously set password for accessing hidden applications in the search menu.

It is worth considering that the settings interface may differ depending on the model your Honor. On new devices with Magic UI 6.0 and above, the menu logic has become more intuitive, but the path to hiding settings is sometimes hidden deeper in the “Security” or “Privacy” submenu.

⚠️ Attention: Hidden applications are not displayed in the system search and do not send notifications to the lock screen unless this is configured separately. Make sure you don't hide messengers if you expect quick notifications from them.

Managing folders and grouping icons

If deleting icons is impossible or impractical, the optimal solution is their proper grouping. Creating folders on the desktop Android allows you to compactly place dozens of applications, taking up the space of just one icon. To create a folder, simply drag one icon on top of another.

The system will automatically create a container and prompt you to enter a folder name. You can call it "Tools", "Games" or "Work". You can place an unlimited number of shortcuts inside a folder. This is the best way to maintain access to frequently used apps without cluttering up the main space desktop.

In addition to standard folders, launchers Honor have the "Smart Folders" function or folder widgets that automatically sort applications into categories. However, manual sorting gives you more control over which icons are immediately visible and which are hidden inside. Regularly audit the contents of folders, removing unused shortcuts from them.

• 📁 Group applications by topic: social networks, banking, entertainment.
• 🎨 Change the folder cover by dragging the most important icon onto it.
• 📉 Delete empty folders immediately so as not to accumulate digital waste.

Don't forget that folders also take up space on the screen, although less than individual icons. Try not to create more than 5-7 folders on the home screen to maintain quick access to basic functions. It is better to move the remaining groups to additional screens accessible by swipe.

Resetting desktop settings for display errors

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where icons are not deleted, freeze on the screen, or are displayed incorrectly after a system update. In such cases, standard drag-and-drop methods may not work. The problem is often solved by resetting the launcher settings, which returns the desktop to the factory state without deleting personal data.

To perform this procedure, go to Settings → Applications → Applications. Find in the list an application called "Desktop" (or "Home", "Launcher"). Go to its parameters, select Memory and click Reset or Clear data.

After confirming the action, all your icon layout settings, widgets and created folders will be deleted. The desktop will return to its “out of the box” appearance. This is a radical but effective method if the interface behaves unstable. All installed applications will be saved in the phone's memory.

Path to reset: Settings → Applications → Desktop → Storage → Reset

Before performing a reset, it is recommended to mentally remember or photograph the location of important widgets, since you will have to restore them manually. After rebooting the device, the system will prompt you to reconfigure the icon layout. This is a great opportunity to start with a clean slate and remove what is really unnecessary.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the launcher data will delete all folders and widgets you created from the desktop. Make sure you have time to re-configure the interface before performing this operation.

Advanced methods through ADB and third-party launchers

For For users who want to gain maximum control over the interface, there are more complex methods for removing system icons. Using third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, allows you to completely ignore standard restrictions Honor. These apps make it possible to hide any icons, change the grid and animations.

A deeper level of control is achieved through USB debugging and the console ADB. This method allows you to remove system applications for the current user, which effectively hides their icons and frees up space, although the files remain on the system partition. This requires connecting to a computer and entering special commands.

The command to hide the application is as follows: pm uninstall -k --user 0. Before using this method, it is critical to know the exact package name of the application you want to hide. An error in the name can lead to the hiding of important system components.

• 💻 Install ADB drivers on your computer before connecting your smartphone.
• 🔍 Use applications like "App Inspector" to identify names packages.
• 🛡️ Create a restore point before making changes through the console.

Using third-party launchers is the safest of the “advanced” methods. You simply install an alternative shell and customize it for yourself, hiding unnecessary system icons through the menu of the launcher itself. This does not violate the warranty and can easily be canceled by simply deleting the launcher application.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to restore a deleted shortcut to a system application?

Yes, if you just deleted the shortcut from the desktop, go to the "All applications" menu, find the desired app, hold it down and select "Add to Home Screen". If the application was disabled in the settings, you must first enable it in the "Applications" section.

Why does the "Delete" button not appear when you click on the icon?

This means that you are trying to remove a system application built into the firmware Honor. Such apps are protected from deletion in the usual ways. You can only hide them through the launcher settings or disable them in the application menu.

Does a large number of icons affect the speed of the phone?

The mere fact of having icons on the screen has minimal impact on performance. However, if heavy widgets (weather, news, social media feeds) are active on the desktop, this can consume RAM and battery power, slowing down the system response.

How to remove the "Clean Master" icon or other pre-installed utilities?

These applications are part of the ecosystem Honor. They cannot be deleted without superuser rights. The best solution is to move them to the "System" folder on the last screen of the desktop or hide them through the "Hidden applications" function in the settings.

What should you do if, after deleting the icon, the application continues to hang in the background?

Deleting the shortcut does not close the application. If the app is running in the background, go to Settings → Applications, find it and force stop or limit background activity in the "Battery consumption" section.