Clutter on a smartphone screen is not just visual noise, it is a direct loss of productivity and extra seconds spent searching for the application you need. Device owners Samsung are in a privileged position thanks to the shell One UI, which offers some of the most flexible customization tools among all Android smartphones. Proper organization of space allows you to turn a chaotic set of icons into an ergonomic control center for your digital world.
In this article we will look at not only basic methods of moving icons, but also advanced techniques such as hiding application menus, using smart folders and customizing the screen grid to suit your needs. You will learn how to visually “unload” the interface so that important functions are always at hand, and unnecessary things are not an eyesore.
Before making radical changes, it is worth assessing the current state of your desktop. Often the problem is not the number of applications, but the lack of a system for grouping them. We will look at a step-by-step algorithm of actions that will help you put things in order in 10-15 minutes, using only the built-in system tools without installing third-party launchers.
Basic principles of moving and grouping icons
The most obvious, but often ignored method of putting things in order is manual sorting. In the ecosystem, this process is intuitive, but many users are unaware of the hidden capabilities of drag-and-drop. To move an icon, just hold it with your finger for a couple of seconds until vibration appears or the scale changes, after which you can freely move the object around the screen. Samsung The process is intuitive, but many users are unaware of the hidden capabilities of drag-and-drop. To move an icon, just hold it with your finger for a couple of seconds until vibration appears or the scale changes, after which you can freely move the object around the screen.
Creating folders is a fundamental element of organization. Just drag one icon on top of another and the system will automatically create a container. This allows you to group applications into categories: “Social networks”, “Banking”, “Games” or “Work”. Inside the folder, you can change the order of elements in a similar way, arranging them according to frequency of use.
- 📁 Create thematic folders for quick access to a group of services of the same focus.
- 🖌️ Rename folders using short and clear names so as not to waste time reading.
- 🎨 Change the color of the folder by clicking on the color circle at the top to visually highlight important categories.
Try not to put more than 9-12 applications in one group. If a category becomes too broad, it makes sense to break it down into subcategories or put the most frequently used apps separately on the main screen. Logical structure Aesthetics are more important, although One UI allows you to combine both.
⚠️ Attention: When moving large widgets, be careful so that they do not overlap important shortcut icons. Widgets occupy grid cells, and their incorrect placement can “shift” other elements into inconvenient areas of the screen.
Use the “Suggestions” function (Bixby Routines or Google Discover) so that the system itself suggests placing frequently used applications in the dock bar at certain times of the day.
Customizing the screen grid and element scale
One of the key features of the interface Samsung is the ability to fine-tune the desktop grid. The standard configuration may not suit everyone: some need more space for widgets, while others need the maximum number of icons on one screen. You can change these parameters in the main screen settings menu, which radically changes the perception of space.
To access the settings, you need to hold down an empty space on the desktop and select Settings. Here you will find Screen Grid and App Screen Grid options. Increasing the number of rows and columns allows you to fit more icons, but makes them smaller. Reducing the grid, on the contrary, makes the elements larger and easier to press, which is important for users with large fingers or vision problems.
| Grid configuration | Number of icons (approximately) | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 5 | 20 + dock bar | For minimalism and large widgets |
| 5 x 6 | 30 + dock bar | Standard balance of convenience and capacity |
| 6 x 7 | 42 + dock bar | For the maximum number of applications on the screen |
| 5 x 5 (Large) | 25 + dock bar | For users with low vision |
In addition to the grid, pay attention to the parameter Application scale. It allows you to increase or decrease the size of icons and text independent of the grid. This is a powerful personalization tool that is often overlooked. Experiment with grid and scale combinations to find the ideal ratio for your model. (Standard) Galaxy.
Hide the application menu: “Home screen only” mode
A radical, but extremely effective way to organize space is to completely abandon the application menu. In this mode, all installed apps are displayed directly on the desktop, as was the case in older versions of Android. This eliminates the need to make an extra swipe up to find a app, making the interface flatter and more direct.
To activate this mode, hold down an empty space on the screen, go to Settings and select Home screen. Here you need to switch the “Apps screen and home screen” option to “Home screen only” mode. Once enabled, all new downloaded applications will automatically appear on the last free space on the desktop.
This approach requires more discipline in removing unnecessary software, as screens can quickly fill up. However, for users who prefer to have their entire arsenal of apps in sight, this is the best solution. You can create additional desktops by swiping sideways, distributing applications thematically across pages.
How to return the icon of a deleted application?
If you deleted an icon from the main screen in the “Home Screen Only” mode, the application does not disappear from the phone. To get it back, go to Settings → Applications, find the software you need and click “Add to Home Screen” (if the option is available) or simply reinstall the widget/shortcut through the launcher settings.
⚠️ Attention: When you enable the “Home Screen Only” mode, the swipe up search function for applications may work differently or be disabled depending on the version of One UI. Make sure you are comfortable searching for apps through the Google search bar or the built-in settings search.
Using widgets for functional organization
Widgets in the shell One UI are not just decoration, but functional modules that can replace entire folders with applications. Instead of opening the Weather, Clock, or Notes folder, place related widgets directly on your Home screen. This shortens the path to information and visually structures the space by type of content, and not by icons.
Modern widgets from Samsung and Google have interactivity. For example, the Calendar widget lets you view your schedule and even add events without opening the app. The Device Control widget gives you access to settings for brightness, sound, and power saving modes in one click. Proper use of such elements frees up space for icons of rarely used apps.
- 🌤️ Use large weather and calendar widgets for the top of the screen - this creates an information header.
- 🎵 Music player widgets are convenient for controlling playback without unlocking the phone.
- 📸 Camera widgets allow you to instantly launch the desired shooting mode, bypassing the application menu.
When placing widgets, follow the rule of hierarchy: the most important and frequently used information should be in the upper third of the screen, where it is easiest to reach with your thumb. Less important decorative widgets can be placed at the bottom. Do not overload the screen with animated widgets, as they may have a slight, but influence on the battery life.
Widgets allow you to reduce the number of taps to access a function from two or three to one, which is the main criterion for the ergonomics of the interface.
Hide rarely used applications and games
Even when Ideally sorted, some applications are used so rarely that their presence on the home screen or in the general list simply creates visual noise. T Samsung there is a built-in function for hiding applications, which allows you to remove them from view without deleting them from the device’s memory. This is an ideal way to clear the interface of games, banking clients or specific software.
To configure hidden applications, hold down an empty space on the desktop, select Settings, and then scroll down to the item Hide applications on the home screen and in the application menu. In the list that opens, simply click on the icons of the apps you want to hide. They will disappear from public access, but will remain accessible through search or settings.
This feature is especially useful for increasing privacy. You can hide applications whose contents you don't want to show to prying eyes when your phone is unlocked. To return the application to its place, just go to this section again and click on the cross next to the app name in the top section “Hidden applications”.
Path to hide settings:
Settings → Home screen → Hide applications
Remember that hidden applications do not receive notifications in the usual way on locked screen in some system configurations, so make sure you don’t miss an important call or message from the messenger you decided to hide.
Automatic sorting and resetting launcher settings
If manually putting things in order seems too time-consuming, you can use the automatic sorting function. In the application menu Samsung there is an option to sort alphabetically, by frequency of use or by installation time. This helps you quickly find a app if you remember its name, but don’t know where it was “lost.”
In the application menu, click on the three dots in the upper corner (or the sort icon) and select the desired criterion. Sorting by Frequency of Use automatically brings the most popular apps to the top of the list, making them faster to access without the need to create folders. This is a dynamic organization method that adapts to your habits.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the One UI shell. If you do not find any item, check for system updates in the section
Settings → Software update.
As a last resort, if the interface was damaged by the actions of third-party apps or a system failure, you can reset the main screen settings. This will return the grid, wallpaper, and icon layout to factory settings. Do this only if other methods do not help, as you will have to rearrange widgets and folders.
☑️ Plan for the ideal desktop organization
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How to restore a deleted icon if I accidentally removed it from the desktop?
If you deleted the shortcut from the home screen, the application itself remains on the phone. Go to the application menu (swipe up), find the app, hold it and drag it back to the desktop. If Home Screen Only mode is enabled, check your hidden apps settings.
Why can't I move the widget to a specific location on the screen?
Most likely, there is not enough free space in that grid area. Widgets occupy a strictly defined number of cells. Try changing the grid size in the Home screen settings or moving other icons to free up a contiguous block of cells of the desired size.
Is it possible to resize an already placed widget?
Yes, most widgets in One UI are resizable. Hold the widget with your finger, release it and drag the blue frame that appears around it. You will be able to stretch or shrink it within the acceptable limits defined by the widget developer.
How to disable application recommendations at the bottom of the screen?
This feature is called “Suggestions”. To disable it, hold down an empty space on the desktop, select Settings and find the “Show application recommendations” switch. Disable it to remove the block with suggested apps.