Modern smartphones based on Android offer users incredible flexibility in organizing their workspace. However, a situation often arises when, after installing new software or accidentally deleting an icon, the user cannot find the necessary tool. Returning a shortcut to the home screen is a basic skill that saves time and nerves in the future.
The procedure for creating a shortcut depends on the version of the operating system and the type used launcher. In this article we will analyze in detail all possible scenarios: from standard methods to solving problems with disappearing icons on devices from different manufacturers.
Standard method through the menu of all applications
In most modern shells, such as One UI ot Samsung or clean Android on smartphones Pixel, all installed apps are stored in a separate menu. To return the icon to the home screen, you must first open this list. It is usually called up by swiping up from the bottom of the display or by pressing a special button in the dock bar.
Find the desired application in the alphabetical list or use the search bar at the top. When you find the one you want, press and hold your finger on it for one to two seconds. The system will automatically take you to the main screen, where you can release your finger to lock the icon in the selected location. shortcut, press and hold your finger for one to two seconds. The system will automatically take you to the main screen, where you can release your finger to lock the icon in the selected location.
If simple dragging does not work, try an alternative interaction option. On some devices, a long press brings up a context menu. In it you need to select the item Add to home screen. This action will instantly place the icon in a free grid cell.
If there is no free space on the main screen, the system will automatically create a new page on the right and place the shortcut there.
Features of working with folders and grouping
To maintain order on the desktop Users often organize applications into folders. You can not just take out a shortcut, but immediately place it in an existing group. To do this, drag the icon of one app directly over the icon of another that is already in the folder or on the screen.
The system will automatically create a container or add an element to an open group. This is especially convenient for sorting tools by category: social networks, games, banking services. Managing the contents of a folder is done by simply dragging and dropping elements inside it.
It is important to remember the limits. Some launchers have restrictions on the number of icons in one folder or on one page. If you can't add an object, check to see if the space is completely filled. In this case, you will have to delete unnecessary widgets or move some of the applications to the next page.
⚠️ Attention: When you move a shortcut to a folder, it is not deleted from the phone’s memory. You simply change the way it is displayed on the desktop for greater convenience.
Working with widgets and extended shortcuts
Sometimes the user needs not just to launch a app, but quick access to a specific function, for example, turning on a flashlight or creating a new note. In such cases, a standard label may not be enough. Special quick action menus come to the rescue. widgets and special quick action menus.
To add a widget, long press on an empty area of the desktop. In the menu that appears, select section Widgets. You will see a list of all available elements from installed applications. Find the tool you need and drag it onto the screen.
Some applications, such as instant messengers or email clients, support creating shortcuts for specific chats or folders. To do this, you often need to go to the settings of the application itself or use the function App Shortcuts, which is called by a long tap on the main app icon in the menu.
| Element type | Size on screen | Functional | Example use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard shortcut | 1x1 cell | Launch application | Camera icon |
| Information widget | 2x1 or 4x1 | Data display | Weather, exchange rates |
| Control widget | 2x2 or 4x2 | Quick actions | Music playlist, notes |
| Folder | 1x1 cell | Grouping | Games folder |
What is App Shortcuts?
This is a feature of Android 7.1 and newer, allowing you to call specific application actions (for example, “New message” or “Payment”) by long pressing on the icon without entering the app itself.
Specific interfaces of Xiaomi, Huawei and Honor
Chinese manufacturers often use their own shells, such as MIUI, EMUI or MagicOS, which work differently than stock Android. In the "Classic Menu" mode, all shortcuts are on the desktop by default, and deleting an icon may lead to deleting the application itself.
If you have the "iOS Style" or "App Menu" mode enabled, the operating logic changes. Removing an icon from the main screen in this mode does not delete the app, but only hides it from the first page. To return, you need to go to the menu of all applications, find the software and drag it back.
In the settings launcher devices Xiaomi or Huawei there is an option "Add shortcuts to new applications on the desktop". If it is disabled, new apps will not appear automatically. Check this parameter in the Settings → Desktopsection to avoid problems in the future.
⚠️ Attention: On smartphones with MIUI shell, deleting a shortcut in the "Without menu" mode leads to to completely uninstall the application. Be careful when cleaning the screen.
☑️ Checking the launcher settings
Fixing problems with disappearing shortcuts
It happens that icons disappear on their own or are not added to the screen. Often the reason lies in a system process failure System UI or cache overflow launcher. First of all, try simply restarting the device - this solves 80% of such problems.
If restarting does not help, check whether the application is hidden in the privacy settings. Many shells allow you to hide apps from prying eyes. Go to the security settings or special mode ("Guest Mode", "Second Space") and make sure that the app is active.
It is also worth clearing the data of the "Desktop" application (Launcher). This will not delete your files, but it will reset your icon layout settings to factory default. The path to the settings usually looks like this: Settings → Applications → All applications → Desktop → Storage → Clear data.
In rare cases, the problem occurs due to the installation of third-party themes that incorrectly display the screen grid. Try temporarily returning the default theme to see if the shortcut appears again.
Resetting the launcher settings returns the grid of icons to its original form, so before doing this it is better to take a photo of the current location of applications.
Using third-party launchers
Users who lack the capabilities of the standard shell often install alternative ones launchers, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher. In these apps, the process of removing shortcuts may differ in implementation details.
Advanced launchers often have an “Application Drawer” function, which can be customized to suit you. You can hide unnecessary system apps and leave only the most important things visible. Adding a shortcut is usually done by long pressing on the application menu and then selecting Add to desktop.
Some third-party shells allow you to create shortcuts for hidden system settings or specific actions that are not available in the standard interface. For this, special utilities or built-in gesture editors are used. This gives you complete control over what is displayed on your screen.
⚠️ Attention: If you change the launcher, old widgets may stop working or display incorrectly. You will need to add them again through the menu of the new interface.
Why don’t widgets work on the new launcher?
Widgets are tied to a specific provider application. If you changed the launcher, old widgets may require reinitialization or may not be fully supported by the new shell.
Frequently asked questions
Why did all the icons disappear after updating Android?
During a major system update, the launcher settings may be reset to factory settings. It is also possible that the launcher itself has been updated and its icon database needs to be rebuilt. Try restarting your phone or waiting a few minutes while the system indexes applications.
Is it possible to place a settings shortcut (for example, Bluetooth) on the desktop?
Yes, this can be done through the widget menu. Find the Settings or Switches widget and select the option you want. There are also aggregator applications that create shortcuts for any hidden system menus.
How to restore a deleted shortcut if I don’t remember the name of the application?
Go to the all applications menu (swipe up) and use the search bar. Enter the first letters or describe the application function. If the application was deleted along with the shortcut, it needs to be downloaded again from Google Play.
Why does the shortcut become gray and not clickable?
A gray icon usually means that the application is installed on an SD card that is currently not readable, or the app is in the process of updating/downloading. Check the memory card or wait until the installation is complete.