Clutter on the main screen of your smartphone is not just visual noise, it is a direct path to decreased productivity and unnecessary stress. When you spend precious seconds searching for the desired instant messenger or banking application among the chaos of icons, the operating system ceases to be your assistant and becomes an obstacle. Proper organization of space is the first step to personalizing the device to suit your own needs. One UI from Samsung ceases to be your helper and becomes an obstacle. Proper organization of space is the first step to personalizing the device to suit your own needs.
Owners of the flagship models of the series Galaxy S and more affordable lines Galaxy A have powerful tools for putting things in order. Modern Android shells allow you not only to drag and drop icons, but also to completely change the logic of interaction with the system. In this article, we will look at all the available methods: from simple alphabetical sorting to creating complex scenarios for working with desktops.
Let's start with the basic principles that will help you quickly bring the interface to life. You won't need third-party launchers or root access, since the built-in tools Home Screen offer comprehensive functionality. The main thing is to understand the logic of the menu and correctly configure the display settings so that each application is in its place.
Basic navigation and moving icons
The most obvious, but often underestimated way to restore order is to manually move elements. On devices Samsung this process is intuitive, but has its own nuances that distinguish it from stock Android. To get started, you need to activate the editing mode, which is done by simply long tapping on a free area of the screen or pinching with two fingers.
As soon as you enter the editing mode, the interface changes: settings buttons appear at the bottom and unnecessary elements disappear. You can take any application icon and drag it to the desired location. If you move the icon to the edge of the screen, the system will automatically switch you to the adjacent desktop page, which is convenient when distributing applications into thematic zones.
Particular attention should be paid to the bottom panel, the so-called Dock. This is the pinned app area that remains visible on all screens. It is most logical to place the most frequently used apps here: phone, messages, browser and camera. It is better to distribute the remaining applications across the main pages so as not to clutter this critical area.
Use the bottom panel (Dock) only for the 4-5 most important applications. If you place rarely used apps there, you will lose quick access to basic functions.
When moving icons, you can create groups by simply overlaying one icon on top of another. This action instantly creates a folder that you can rename for easier navigation. The system will automatically suggest a name based on the content, but you can always change it manually by clicking on the folder name field.
Customizing the screen grid and element scale
One of the most effective ways to organize icons is to change their density. A standard grid may be too sparse for one user and too tight for another. In the screen settings Samsung there is a flexible tool that allows you to select the optimal number of rows and columns.
To change the grid parameters, go to the main screen editing mode and select the item Settings (gear icon). In the menu that opens, find the section Home screen screen grid. Here you will see several options, such as 4x5, 5x5 or even 5x6 for larger displays. Choosing a denser grid will allow you to fit more applications on one screen without the need to create extra pages.
Don't forget about the scale of icons. In the same settings menu, the item Application icon sizeis available. Adjusting this parameter affects visual perception: large icons are easier to press for people with poor eyesight or when using a phone on the go, and small ones allow you to place more information in the field of view.
| Grid parameter | Number of icons (example) | For whom it is suitable | Impact on the interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 5 | 20 per page | Lovers of minimalism | Large elements, a lot of air |
| 5 x 5 | 25 per page | Standard selection | Balance between size and quantity |
| 5 x 6 | 30 per page | Power users | Maximum density, small details |
| 4 x 4 (tablet) | 16 per page | Samsung tablets | Very large elements for touch controls |
☑️ Optimizing the screen grid
Experiment with different options to find a middle ground. Remember that changing the grid does not remove your applications, but only redistributes them according to the available space. However, if you reduce the grid density, some icons may automatically move to new system-created pages.
Sorting applications in the menu and creating folders
The App Drawer is the place where all installed apps are stored. By default One UI sorts them by installation time or alphabetically, but you can take control of this process into your own hands. Automatic sorting is convenient, but manual control allows you to group apps according to the logic of your work.
For manual sorting, open the application menu, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Sorting. Here you can switch to Custom ordermode. In this mode, you can drag and drop icons within the menu itself, bringing important apps to the very top of the list, regardless of their name.
Creating folders is a key element of organization. Don't limit yourself to standard titles like "Social Networks" or "Games." Use more specific categories that make sense to you. For example, you can create a “Finance” folder for banks and wallets, or a “Creativity” folder for photo and video editors.
- 📁 Work: mail, calendar, instant messengers for colleagues, cloud storage.
- 🎮 Entertainment: streaming services, games, social networks for personal use.
- 🛒 Shopping: marketplaces, banking applications, food delivery services.
- 🛠 Tools: calculator, voice recorder, document scanner, flashlight.
⚠️ Attention: When you delete a folder, all applications inside are not deleted from the phone, but simply returned to the general menu. However, if you remove an application from the folder by dragging it to the uninstall screen, the app will be uninstalled completely.
The secret to quick sorting
If you have more than 100 applications installed, manual sorting can take a lot of time. In this case, it is better to use the search function in the application menu (swipe down) or create several wide folders by category, and no longer sort the icons inside them.
Hiding applications and protecting privacy
Sometimes order on the screen means not only organization, but also hiding unnecessary things. Smartphones Samsung have a built-in function for hiding applications, which allows you to remove icons from the main screen and menus without deleting the apps themselves. This is useful for both aesthetics and privacy.
To hide the application, go to the home screen settings (long tap on the desktop -> Settings). Find item Hide applications. In the list that opens, select the apps that you want to remove from view. After confirmation, they will disappear from public access.
It is important to understand that hidden applications do not disappear without a trace. To find and launch them, you need to use the phone search or enter a special code in the Phone application, if this function was previously set up. Also, hidden applications can be accessed in Secure Folder (Secure Folder) mode, which provides an even higher level of security.
Hiding applications is not data encryption. To fully protect confidential information, use the "Secure Folder" function with a separate password or biometrics.
Using the hide mode helps relieve visual space. If you rarely use a system app or game but don't want to delete it, hiding it is ideal. This keeps your desktop organized, leaving it clean and minimalist.
Using widgets for functional organization
Widgets are not just decoration, but a powerful tool for organizing information. Properly placed widgets allow you to organize icons away from your home screen by allowing app functionality to be accessed directly from the widget. For example, a calendar widget can replace the calendar application icon.
On devices Samsung widgets support resizing. A long tap on the widget allows you to stretch or shrink it, adjusting it to the screen grid. This makes it possible to create complex compositions where widgets and application icons harmoniously complement each other, taking up free space.
The widget stack is a unique feature One UI. You can layer multiple widgets on top of each other, creating a "stack". Switching between them is done by swiping up or down. This allows you to save a huge amount of space on the screen by placing weather, notes, calendar and news widgets in one area.
- 📅 Calendar: display of upcoming events without entering the application.
- 🎵 Music: player control and selection of tracks.
- 🔋 Battery: monitoring the charge of the device and connected gadgets.
- 📰 News: feed of the latest events from selected sources.
⚠️ Attention: Too many active widgets, especially those that are updated in real time (weather, news, exchange rates), can significantly increase battery consumption. Use them sparingly.
Advanced settings and "Simple" mode
For those who want to go beyond the standard settings, Samsung offers a mode Easy Mode (Simple mode). It radically changes the interface: icons become huge, fonts become larger, and unnecessary elements are removed. This is an excellent solution for older people or for those who want to simplify interaction with their smartphone as much as possible.
You can enable this mode through the main phone settings: Settings -> Display -> Screen mode (or in older versions Settings -> Home screen -> Simple screen mode). The interface will change instantly, leaving only the essentials on the main screen.
In addition, there are third-party launchers available in Google Playthat allow you to completely change the logic of working with icons. However, using a standard shell One UI Home guarantees better optimization, stability and integration with proprietary features Samsungsuch as Edge Panels.
The path to resetting the launcher settings:
Settings → Applications → One UI Home → Memory → Clear data
If you have been experimenting with the settings and are confused, you can always reset the home screen settings to factory settings. This will return the grid, icons and widgets to their original state as when you first turned on the phone, which is sometimes the best way to start organizing again.
Why do icons get lost after a system update?
After a major update to Android or the One UI skin, the system may reset some display settings. This is due to changes in the grid structure or the size of system icons. Usually, it is enough to reconfigure the screen grid in the Home screen settings.
How to restore a deleted application folder?
It is not possible to automatically restore the structure of a deleted folder. You will have to create a new folder and manually drag applications into it from the general menu. Applications are not lost when you delete a folder, they simply become free-standing icons.
Is it possible to change the shape of icons on Samsung?
Yes, in the Galaxy Store theme store you can download icon packs that will change their shape (to round, square, teardrop-shaped). Also in the Home screen settings there is an "App icon frame" option that adds a background under the icons for consistency.
What to do if the application icon does not move?
Make sure that you are not in the "Home screen lock" mode. Go to your home screen settings and check if the option to block icon movement is turned off. Also, some system applications can be pinned in certain areas depending on the software version.
How to remove the application name inscription under the icon?
Unfortunately, in the standard One UI shell, you cannot remove the captions under the icons on the main screen without using third-party launchers. This is done to improve the accessibility and understandability of the interface for all users.