You open your phone to show your friends the latest photos, but... icons "Gallery" on the main screen no. It's not in the list of applications either. Photos and videos are saved - you checked through the file manager. Is the situation familiar? This is one of the most common interface problems Androidthat occurs after updates, launcher changes, or accidental user actions. The good news: in 95% of cases, the shortcut is restored in 5–10 minutes without data loss.

In this article we will look at all possible reasons for the disappearance of the icon —from the banal (hiding by the launcher) to the technical (failure in system settings). For each reason, we will provide step-by-step guide with illustrations and warnings about possible risks. And if you are in a hurry, use quick solution at the end of the first section.

Important: if other standard applications disappeared along with the “Gallery” (Camera, Phone, Contact), the problem may be deeper - for example, damage to the system partition. In this case, it is better to immediately go to System recovery.

⚡ Quick solution: 3 steps if the icon is simply hidden

In 60% of cases, the shortcut “Galleries” does not disappear forever, but simply moves or hides due to a failure of the launcher (the app responsible for the main screen). Try these steps in order:

  1. Restart the phone. Hold the Power button for 10 seconds, select "Restart". After turning on, check the folder All applications (swipe up from the bottom panel).
  2. Search by application. Swipe down from the Home screen and search for "Gallery". If you find an application, hold its icon and drag it to the main screen.
  3. Reset launcher settings. Go to Settings → Applications → [Your launcher] → Storage → Clear data. Attention: this will delete all widgets and icon layout on the home screen!

If these steps did not help, read on. Below we will look at complex cases, including crashes after updates and conflicts with third-party galleries (for example, Google Photos).

📊 Which launcher do you use?
Standard (from the manufacturer)
Nova Launcher
Apex Launcher
Microsoft Launcher
Other

Reason No. 1: The launcher has hidden or deleted the shortcut

The launcher (the app that controls the main screen) may automatically hide rarely used applications or conflict with system updates. This is a common problem on smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi i Huawei, where manufacturers modify them. standard Android.

How to check:

  • 🔍 Open Settings → Applications → [Your launcher] (for example, One UI Home for Samsung or MIUI Launcher for Xiaomi).
  • 📁 Check the tab Hidden applications or Not shown —perhaps “Gallery” is there.
  • 🔄 Press Reset settings (in the launcher menu) - this will return the standard icon arrangement.

If you use third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), try:

  1. Keep free space on the home screen → Launcher settings → Application settings.
  2. Find the option Hidden applications and make sure that “Gallery” is not in this list.
  3. Turn on display All applications in the menu (if there is such an option).
💡

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo), the icons of system applications are hidden after the update. To get them back, go to Settings → Convenience → Application panel → Panel settings and turn on the “Galleries” display.

Q Android can disable system applications is saves resources, but sometimes leads to the disappearance of icons. Also, “Gallery” can be deleted after resetting or rooting.

How to return:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Show all applications (⋮).
  2. In the search, enter “Gallery” (or Gallery for English firmware).
  3. If the application disabled - click data-i="117">disabled Enable.
  4. If the application deleted - download its APK from the manufacturer's official website (for example, APKPure for Samsung Gallery).

Attention! Installing APK from third-party sources may be unsafe. Before downloading, check:

  • 🔒 Hash file (MD5) on the manufacturer's website.
  • 📌 Reviews of other users about the APK version.
  • 🛡️ Availability of a digital signature (must match the official one).
What to do if the “Gallery” does not turn on?

If the “Enable” button is inactive or gives an error, try:

1 Clear the cache and application data in. settings.

2. Reboot the phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button → "Safe Mode").

3. If the problem persists, the system file may be damaged. In this case, only. reset to factory settings.

Manufacturer System gallery name Where to download APK (officially)
Samsung Samsung Gallery or Secure Folder Galaxy Store
Xiaomi MIUI Gallery Mi App Store
Huawei Huawei Gallery AppGallery
Google (Pixel) Google Photos (replaces the standard gallery) Play Market

Reason No. 3: Conflict with Google Photos or other galleries

Many users install Google Photos or third-party galleries (for example, QuickPic, Simple GallerySometimes these applications replace the standard “Gallery” in the menu, hiding its icon.

How to check:

  • 📱 Open Google Photos and check if your images are duplicated there.
  • 🔧 Go to Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Default and uncheck the option Open supported links.
  • 🗑️ Delete the cache Google Photos (in the application settings).

If you want to completely return the standard gallery:

  1. Delete or disable third-party galleries.
  2. Reboot your phone.
  3. If the icon does not appear, clear the launcher data (see quick solution).
💡

On phones Samsung and LG the standard “Gallery” may conflict with Google Photosif the latter is set as the default application for images. To return the icon, disable Google Photos from processing media files in the application settings.

Reason No. 4: Crash after Android update

OS updates sometimes reset launcher settings or damage system application data If the icon disappears after the update, try:

  1. Clear system application cache: 
    Settings → Storage → Cache data → Delete
  2. Restore standard applications: 
    Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Reset application settings
  3. Reinstall updates for “Gallery”: 
    Settings → Applications → Gallery → ⋮ → Uninstall updates

    Then update the application via Play Market or a company store (for example, Galaxy Store).

Attention! If after the update not only “Gallery" disappeared, but also other system applications (Camera, Contact), it may have happened service failure Android System WebView. To fix:

  • 🔄 Open Settings → Applications → Android System WebView.
  • 🗑️ Press Delete updates and reboot your phone.
  • 🔄 Update Android System WebView via Play Market.

Clear cache launcher|Check for the presence of “Gallery” in hidden applications|Uninstall updates for system applications|Reboot the phone in safe mode|Reset application settings to factory settings-->

Reason No. 5: Damage to user data

If the icon disappeared after resetting, rooting or incorrect shutdown phone, the problem may be damage to the user profile files. In this case, it will help:

  • 🔧 Creating a new user (if function supported): 
    Settings → System → Advanced → Multi-user mode → Add user

    After switching to a new user, check if the “Gallery” appears.

  • 🗃️ Restoring from a backup (if it exists). Use Google Drive or proprietary tools (Samsung Smart Switch, Mi Cloud).
  • ⚙️ Factory reset settings (extreme case!). Save the data first, as all files will be deleted.

Important: if the phone rooted, damage may affect system files. In this case:

  1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
  2. Go to the folder /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
  3. Find files with names Gallery* (for example, Gallery2.apk) and check their presence.
  4. If the files are missing, download them from the forum XDA Developers (only for advanced users!).
💡

Before resetting to factory settings, check whether photo synchronization with Google Photos or the manufacturer's cloud is enabled. This will save your pictures even after completely wiping the phone.

Reason No. 6: Virus or malware

Rarely, but it happens: viruses or optimizers (for example Clean Master, DU Speed Booster) they delete or hide system applications in order to “free up memory”. installed suspicious apps, run:

  1. Check for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.
  2. Removing recently installed applications (especially “cleaners” and "accelerators").
  3. Resetting permissions for suspicious apps: 
    Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Special access → Device administrators

    Make sure there there are no unknown applications.

If a virus has blocked access to the settings:

  • 🛡️ Boot the phone into Safe Mode (hold the power button → "Safe Mode").
  • 🗑️ Remove suspicious applications.
  • 🔄 Restart the phone in normal mode.

Attention! Some viruses disguise themselves as system applications (for example, Android System or Google ServicesBefore deleting). check the title in Google!

What to do if nothing helps?

If you have tried all the methods, but the “Galleries” icon has not appeared, there are radical measures left:

  • 🔄 Rolling back an Android update (if the problem started after the update). This is needed custom firmware or the official tool of the manufacturer (for example, Samsung Odin).
  • 📱 Flashing the phone via Fastboot or Recovery. Instructions search on the forums (4PDA, XDA) for your model.
  • 🔧 Contacting the service centerIf the phone is under warranty, do not try to flash it yourself - this will void the warranty.

Before radical actions be sure to save your data:

  • 📁 Copy photos and videos to your PC or cloud.
  • 📱 Export contacts and SMS via Google Account or specialized applications (for example, Super Backup).
  • 🔑 Write down passwords from Google Smart Lock or a password manager.
💡

If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a service center. Incorrect firmware can turn your phone into a “brick” (inoperative device).

❓ Why did the “Gallery” icon disappear after updating to Android 13/14?

In new versions Android Google is actively promoting Google Photos as main gallery, so manufacturers sometimes hide the standard application. To return it: Google actively promotes Google Photos as the main gallery Open Settings → Applications → Google Photos Disable

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Disable.
  2. Reboot the phone.
  3. If the icon does not appear, install the APK of the standard gallery from the official website of the manufacturer.
❓ Is it possible to restore the “Gallery” without resetting the settings?

Yes, in most cases. Try:

  • Clear the cache and launcher data.
  • Enable the display of hidden applications in the launcher settings.
  • Install the gallery APK manually (if it was deleted).

Resetting the settings is only needed if the system ones are damaged files.

❓ Where do the photos go if the “Galleries” icon disappears?

Photos are not deleted along with the icon! They are stored in the folder DCIM or Pictures on internal memory. To find them:

  • Use any file manager (for example, Files by Google).
  • Connect your phone to the PC and check the folders through Explorer.
  • Install a third-party gallery (for example, Simple Gallery) - it will show all media files.
❓ Why is there no "Gallery" icon on Xiaomi/Redmi after the reset?

On smartphones Xiaomi the standard gallery is called MIUI GalleryAfter the reset it can be hidden in the folder. “Tools” or disabled. To return:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
  2. Find MIUI Gallery and press Enable.
  3. If the application is missing, download its APK from Mi App Store.
❓ How to return “Gallery” to Samsung after installing custom firmware?

When installing unofficial firmware (for example, LineageOS) system applications Samsung are deleted. To return Samsung Gallery:

  • Download the APK from APKMirror (look for the version for your model).
  • Install the APK manually (permission to install from unknown sources may be required).
  • If the gallery does not start - install Samsung Framework (available at XDA Developers).

Attention! On custom firmware, system applications may be unstable.