How to remove an application icon from the Android screen: a complete guide

Application icons on the Android home screen accumulate over time, creating chaos and making it difficult to find the apps you need. Even after uninstalling some applications, their shortcuts may remain, taking up space and ruining the appearance of your desktop. In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to remove icons - from standard methods to hidden functions that few people know about.

It is important to understand that removing a shortcut from the screen is not the same as deleting the application itself. A shortcut is just a “link” to a app that remains in the application menu. If the goal is to completely get rid of the app, additional steps will be required, which we will also talk about.

The instructions in the article are relevant for all modern versions of Android (from 10 to 14), but may differ slightly depending on the manufacturer’s shell (One UI y Samsung, MIUI y Xiaomi, EMUI y Huawei). We will present universal methods and point out the features of popular brands.

1. Standard removal of a shortcut from the home screen

The easiest way is to hold your finger on the unnecessary icon and drag it to the trash. This method works on 90% of devices, but there are nuances depending on the Android version and shell.

On pure Android (for example, Google Pixel or Motorola):

1. Press and hold the application icon 1-2 seconds.
2. The message Delete or the trash icon will appear at the top of the screen.
3. Drag the icon to this area and release your finger.

On Samsung s shell One UI:

• 📱 Long press on the icon will bring up a context menu.
• 🗑️ Select the item Delete (not to be confused with Delete application!).
• ⚙️ On some models (Galaxy S22 and newer), confirmation may be required.

If the icon is not removed in the standard way, check:

• 🔒 Is it blocked by a widget or folder (try deleting the widget first).
• 📲 Is it a system application (for example, Phone or Messages - their shortcuts sometimes you can’t delete).
• 🔄 Is the mode Layout protection enabled in the launcher settings (more on that below).

2. Removing through the applications menu

If the shortcut has disappeared from the main screen, but remains in the applications menu (list of all installed apps), you can delete it from there. This method can also be removed. suitable for removing duplicate icons.

Instructions for most devices:

1. Open the application menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen or click on the icon All applications).
2. Find the application you need and hold its icon.
3. In the menu that appears, select Remove from main screen or Hide.

On Xiaomi (MIUI 12-14):

• 📂 Go to Settings → Home screen.
• 🔍 Select Hide applications and mark unnecessary ones.
• ⚠️ This will hide the application from the menu, but will not remove it completely.

⚠️ Attention: Hiding an application through the menu does not remove it from the device, but only removes it from the list. To completely remove it, use Settings → Applications.

3. Using screen editing mode

Many users are not aware of the existence of a special editing mode that simplifies icon management. This method is especially useful if you need to delete several shortcuts in a row.

How to enable editing mode:

• 📱 On most devices: press and hold an empty space on the main screen for 1-2 seconds.
• ⚙️ Options will appear at the bottom of the screen: Widgets, Wallpaper, Settings.
• 🗑️ Drag unnecessary icons to the top of the screen (zone Delete).

On Samsung Galaxy:

• 🔧 Press and hold an empty space → select Home screen settings.
• 📋 Enable Edit mode (pencil icon).
• 🗂️ Now you can delete icons, folders and widgets with one touch.

Make a backup copy of the layout (if there are important folders)

Close all running applications

Connect the charger (on weak smartphones, editing can drain the battery)

Check that Is the "Easy interface" mode enabled (it limits functions)

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If the editing mode is not activated:

• 🔄 Reboot the device - sometimes it helps with launcher glitches.
• 📱 Check if a third-party launcher is installed (for example, Nova Launcher or Action Launcher).
• 🛠️ Update the system software - older versions of Android may have had editing bugs.

4. Removing system icons (Phone, Messages, Camera)

Some system applications (Phone, Messages, Camera) cannot be removed using standard methods, but they can be hidden or replaced. This is relevant if you use alternative applications (for example, Google Messages instead of standard SMS).

Method 1: Disabling through settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find the system application (for example, Messages).
3. Click Disable or Hide (not all applications support this option).

Method 2: Using ADB (for advanced users)

If you can’t disable the application through the menu, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). data-i="154">(specify the name for your application via

adb shell pm hide com.android.mms

Where com.android.mms - application package name Messages (check the name for your application via adb shell pm list packages).

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications can lead to unstable operation of the phone. For example, disabling Phone will deprive you of the ability to make calls. Before experiments, create a backup copy!

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.mms

5. Removing icons through third-party launchers

If standard methods do not help, you can install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher). including:

• 🗃️ Hiding any icons (including system ones).
• 🔒 Locking the layout from accidental changes.
• 🎨 Customizing icons and folders.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Press an empty space on the screen → Nova Settings.
3. Go to Settings of applications and widgets → Hide applications.
4. Tick the boxes of the applications you want to hide.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🔧 More flexibility in customizing the interface.
• 📁 Ability to create smart folders (automatic sorting by category).
• 🔍 Built-in search for applications.

Disadvantages:

• 📱 Some functions (for example, gestures) may conflict with system ones.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption on weak devices.
• 💰 Premium features require purchase (for example, Nova Launcher Prime).

6. Removing duplicate icons

Sometimes after updating the system or restoring from a backup, duplicate icons appear on the screen. This occurs due to failures in the launcher or conflicts between application versions.

How to remove duplicates:

1. Try standard deletion (hold + drag to trash).
2. If this does not help, reboot the device - duplicates often disappear after reboot.
3. Check whether two versions of the same application are installed (for example, Facebook and Facebook Lite).

On Xiaomi and Huawei duplicates may appear due to the function Clone applications (to create a second account). To delete a clone:

• 📱 Go in Settings → Applications → Cloning applications.
• 🗑️ Find the duplicate application and click Delete clone.

If duplicates remain:

• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Applications → [Your launcher] → Storage → Clear data.
• ⚠️ Attention: This will delete all your home screen settings (folders, widgets, wallpapers).

7. What to do if the icon is not deleted?

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be related to:

• 🔒 Layout protection: On some devices (Samsung, LG) there is an option to lock the screen from changes. launcher settings.
• 📱 Launcher crash: Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → [Your launcher] → Memory → Clear cache.
• 🛠️ System corruption: If the problem appeared after the update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version.

Extreme measures:

• 🔄 Resetting the launcher settings: As described above, but save a screenshot of the current layout to restore it later.
• 📲 Installing another launcher: If the system is buggy, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair can become a replacement.
• 🔧 Reset to factory settings: Use only if other methods did not help (don't forget to make a backup!).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (Samsung Galaxy Z Fold/Flip, Xiaomi Mix Fold), due to the features of the folding screen, there may be restrictions on editing the main screen.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions