Chaotically scattered application icons on the Android screen is a problem that every second user faces. Even after a thorough cleaning, after a couple of weeks the menu again turns into a digital mess: new games, instant messengers, utilities and “throwaway” applications fill the desktop and application drawer. Fortunately, Android offers several ways to organize icons —from basic launcher functions to third-party tools with advanced capabilities.

In this article we will look at all current sorting methods: from manual dragging to automatic grouping by categories, alphabet or frequency of use. We will pay special attention hidden functions of the standard launcher, which 80% of users do not notice, and also consider the best alternative launchers for advanced settings. The instructions are suitable for all versions of Android (from 8.0 Oreo to 15) and are adapted for popular shells: Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, Oppo ColorOS, Google Pixel Launcher and others.

1. Manual sorting of icons: basic techniques

The most obvious, but not always convenient way is dragging icons manually. This method works on all devices without installing additional applications, but has limitations: for example, after updating the system or resetting the settings, you will have to install everything again. Here's how to do it correctly:

On most smartphones, the algorithm is the same:

  1. Touch and hold your finger on the icon of the application you want to move.
  2. Wait for vibration or the backlight appears (usually takes 0.5–1 second).
  3. Without releasing your finger, drag the icon to the desired location on the screen or into a folder.
  4. To delete from the desktop, drag the icon to the top of the screen ("Delete" or the trash can will appear).

  • 📱 On Samsung Galaxy: after holding the icon, a context menu will appear with the options "Move", "Delete" and "Application Information". Select “Move”, then tap on an empty space on the screen.
  • 🤖 On pure Android (Pixel, Motorola): icons can be dragged immediately after holding them, without additional menus.
  • ⚙️ On Xiaomi/Redmi: in MIUI, when you hold an icon, a toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen - there you can select “Edit” for group movement.

An important nuance: if you move the icon between screens swipe your finger to the edge of the displaywithout releasing the icon, the desktop will automatically scroll. On some firmware (for example Huawei EMUI), to do this, you first need to drag the icon to the edge, wait 1-2 seconds, then continue moving.

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If the icons “stick” to the grid and do not move smoothly, check the launcher settings: the “Alignment” function may be enabled on the grid." Disable it in Settings → Home screen → Grid size (item names may vary).

2. Automatic alphabetical sorting

If manually arranging hundreds of applications takes too long, auto sort by alphabet will be a salvation. Unfortunately, there is no such function in the standard Android launcher - only some manufacturers (for example Samsung or LG) or third-party shells add it. Here's how to enable sorting on different devices:

Firmware/Brand Path to settings Features
Samsung One UI Settings → Home screen → Sorting applications → Alphabetically Works only for the application bar (menu), does not affect the desktop. You can choose the order: A→Z or Z→A.
Xiaomi MIUI Settings → Desktop → Application bar → Sorting → By name Additionally, you can enable grouping by category (games, tools, etc.).
Google Pixel Launcher No built-in functions Requires installation of a third-party launcher (see section 5).
Huawei EMUI Settings → Home screen and wallpaper → Application bar → Sort by name Supports Cyrillic, but ignores case (A and a are considered the same).

On devices without built-in sorting, you can bypass the limitation using ADB (for advanced users). With the command below you enable the hidden sorting function in Pixel Launcher:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_extra_wide_back

⚠️ Attention: this command only works on Android 10+ and requires USB debugging. After rebooting the device, the sorting will be reset.

📊 How do you usually organize icons on Android?
Manual arrangement
Auto-sorting alphabetically
Grouping by folders
I use the launcher
Do not sort

3. Grouping icons into folders

Folders are a classic way to structure applications by category: “Social networks”, “Work”, “Games”, “Utilities”, etc. Unlike alphabetical sorting, folders are preserved after system updates and allow you to hide rarely used applications. Instructions for creation:

  1. Drag one icon to another (for example, WhatsApp to Telegram).
  2. Release your finger - a folder with the name of the category will be automatically created (it can be renamed).
  3. To add more applications, drag them to the folder.
  4. To delete a folder, drag all the icons out, then tap on an empty folder and select “Delete.”

Tips for effective grouping:

  • 📁 Limit the size. folders: optimally 4-6 applications More and you will have to scroll the contents.
  • 🎨 Color tags: in launchers like Nova Launcher you can assign different colors to folders for visual separation.
  • 🔍 Search in folders: in One UI i MIUI You can search for applications inside a folder without opening it (swipe down the folder).

On some firmware (for example, Oppo ColorOS) folders are supported nesting —you can create subfolders for. this:

  1. Open the folder.
  2. Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner.
  3. Select “Create a folder” and add applications to it.
How return an accidentally deleted folder?

If you deleted a folder along with icons, the applications will not be lost - they will return to the main menu. To restore the structure, check the launcher trash (if you have one) or use a backup copy of the settings (in Nova Launcher: Backup/Restore).

4. Sorting by frequency of use

Android analyzes which applications you launch most often and can automatically display them in the top application drawer or on the desktop. This feature is called "Adaptive Icons" or "Frequently Used"** (names vary). data-i="123">or

  • 📊 Samsung One UI:
    1. Open the application panel (swipe up from the Dock panel).
    2. Tap on the three dots (⋮) → “Settings.”
    3. Turn on “Show frequently used applications.”
  • 🤖 Pure Android (Pixel):
    1. Keep free space on your desktop.
    2. Select "Home Screen Settings."
    3. Activate "Suggested Apps" (shows the 5 most used in the Dock).
  • 🔧 Xiaomi MIUI:
    1. Go to Settings → Desktop → Application bar.
    2. Turn on “Frequently used” and select the number of displayed (up to 8).

      3. Important nuance: the frequency analysis algorithm is reset after:

      • Clearing the application cache Google Play Services.
      • Firmware updates.
      • Using the "Optimization" function in the battery settings (on Xiaomi, Oppo).

      If the system incorrectly detects "frequently used" applications, reset the statistics:

      adb shell pm clear com.google.android.gms

      ⚠️ Attention: this command will also reset the settings of other Google services (for example, Fitbit data or saved passwords in Smart Lock).

      5. Third-party launchers for advanced sorting

      If the built-in functions are not enough, alternative launchers offer flexible tools for organizing icons: automatic sorting, smart folders, gestures and even scripts. Top 3 solutions:

      Launcher Key functions Cost
      Nova Launcher
      • Sorting by alphabet, installation date, size.
      • Grouping by category (automatic and manual).
      • Hide icons without deleting.
      • Backup layout.
      		 Free (Premium - $4.99)
      Apex Launcher
      • Dynamic folders (automatically updated according to rules).
      • Gestures for quick access.
      • Icon themes and adaptive icons.
      		 Free (Pro - $3.99)
      Lawnchair 2
      • Integration with Google Discover.
      • Adaptive icons (change color depending on the wallpaper).
      • Quick search across applications.
      		 Free (open source)

      Setup instructions Nova Launcher for automatic sorting:

      1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the main one.
      2. Keep free space on your desktop → Nova Settings.
      3. Go to Application Settings → Drawer sorting.
      4. Select sort type: “Alphabetical”, “By installation date” or “By size.”
      5. To group by category, enable “Tab Grouping” and configure the rules.

        6. ⚠️ Attention: some launchers (for example, Microsoft Launcher) send application usage data to the company’s servers. If privacy is important, disable analytics in the settings or select Lawnchair (without collecting statistics).

        Back up the current layout (if there is a function)|Remember the location of important icons|Check compatibility with Android version|Disable battery optimization for launcher-->

        6. Hiding unnecessary icons

        Some applications cannot be removed (for example, built-in Google services or branded utilities of the manufacturer), but you can hide from the menu. This will free up space and make navigation easier. Methods of hiding:

        • 🔍 Through the launcher settings:
          • In Nova Launcher: hold the icon → "Edit" → "Hide".
          • V One UI: open the application tray → ⋮ → "Hide applications".
    3. 🛠️ Via ADB (for system applications): 
      adb shell pm hide com.example.app

      Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the application (you can find it out through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

    4. 📦 Through “Android Settings”:
      1. Go to Settings → Applications.
      2. Select application → “Disable” (does not work for critical services).

      5. ⚠️ Attention: hiding system applications (for example, Android System WebView or Google Play Services) can lead to malfunctions of the smartphone Before experiments, create a restore point. in TWRP (if you have root access).

      To return a hidden application:

      • In the launcher: open settings → “Hidden applications” → uncheck the box.
      • Via ADB: 
        adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app

      7. Synchronizing the layout between devices

      If you often switch to new smartphones or reset settings, icon layout synchronization most launchers support backup, but there are nuances:

      • ☁️ Nova Launcher:
        1. Go to Settings → Backup/Restore.
        2. Click “Save” - the file will be created in the folder NovaBackup on the internal storage.
        3. To transfer, copy the file to a new device and restore via the same partition.
      • 🔄 Google account (for Pixel Launcher):
        1. Enable synchronization in Google Settings → Google Services → Backup copying.
        2. On the new device, log in to the same account - the layout will be restored automatically (does not work on all firmware).
    5. 📱 Samsung Smart Switch:
      1. Install Smart Switch on both devices.
      2. Connect via Wi-Fi or cable.
      3. Select “Home Screen” in the list of data to transfer.

      ⚠️ Attention: When restoring the layout on a device with a different screen resolution, icons may overlap each other. Before transferring, check the compatibility of resolutions (for example, 1080×2400 and 1440×3200).

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      For reliable synchronization, use cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox) or physical transfer via OTG cable. Avoid transferring via Bluetooth - this may lead to data loss.

      8. Automation of sorting using Tasker

      For advanced users who want fully automate organization icons, an application is suitable Tasker. With its help you can create rules like:

      • "Sort icons alphabetically every night."
      • "Move new applications to a folder “New.”
      • “Hide unused applications once a month.”

    An example task for automatic alphabetical sorting in Nova Launcher:

    1. Open Tasker and create a new task.
    2. Add an action: Plugin → Nova Launcher → Sort Apps Alphabetically.
    3. Set up a trigger (for example, Time → Every Day at 3:00 AM).
    4. Save the task and activate it.

      5. To work with hiding applications you will need ADB command in Tasker:

      Run Shell (command: pm hide com.example.app, use root: yes)

      ⚠️ Attention: automation via Tasker requires permissions ADB or root. Incorrect scripts can lead to cyclic reboots or launcher crashes. Before setting up, test the tasks on a test device.

      How to debug a task in Tasker?

      If the task does not work:

      1. Check the logs (Menu → More → Run Log).

      2. Make sure that plugins are enabled ( Nova Launcher plugins included (Settings → Laboratory → Enable Tasker).

      3. For ADB commands, add a delay (Wait) before execution (sometimes the system does not have time to process the request).

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about arranging icons

      Is it possible to return the standard order of icons after manual sorting?

      Yes, but the method depends on firmware:

      • Samsung: Settings → Home screen → Reset layout.
      • Pure Android: hold free space → "Home screen settings" → "Reset".
      • Xiaomi: Settings → Desktop → Reset layout.

      If there is no option, delete the launcher data in Settings → Applications → [Launcher name] → Storage → Clear data.

      Why are there icons after updating Android lost?

      This happens due to:

      • Resetting the launcher cache (solved by rebooting).
      • Changes in the Android API (relevant for custom launchers - update them).
      • Conflict with optimization batteries (add the launcher to exceptions).

    Restore the layout from a backup (if any) or configure it again.

    How to disable adaptive icons that change color?

    Adaptive icons (for example, in Lawnchair or Pixel Launcher) are configured as follows:

    1. Keep free space on the desktop.
    2. Select “Settings” → “Icon Style”.
    3. Disable “Adaptive Icons” or select theme "Default".

    On Samsung this feature is called "Dark Icons" (Settings → Home screen → Dark icons).

    Can I sort icons by color?

    Standard launchers do not have this function, but they support it:

    • Nova Launcher (with plugin Icon Pack Studio).
    • Apex Launcher (manual sorting by palette).
    • Smart Launcher 6 (automatic grouping by color in folders).

    For precise sorting, use applications like Icon Changer (allows you to assign colors manually).

    How to transfer icons from Android to iPhone?

    There is no direct way, but you can:

    1. Take screenshots of the desktop on Android.
    2. Upload them to iCloud or Google Photos.
    3. On iPhone, manually restore the layout based on the screenshots.

    To transfer the list of applications, use Move to iOS (will transfer only the applications themselves, but not their location).