With the update to Android 9 Pie many users encountered a change in the familiar desktop interface. If previously all installed apps were displayed directly on the screen, now the system offers a more compact and organized approach to storing software. This raises a logical question: “where are the applications on Android 9” if they suddenly stopped being visible after turning on the phone or updating the firmware.
The changes affected not only the visual style, but also the logic of operation Launcher (launcher) - the shell responsible for displaying icons. In “pure” Android 9, which is used in smartphones Google Pixel, Xiaomi (in “no curtain” mode) and Moto, the so-called “App Drawer” or “application drawer” is introduced. This is a separate space where absolutely all installed utilities are stored, while only shortcuts to the most frequently used apps remain on the desktop.
Understanding this structure is critical for comfortable use of the device. Don't panic if you don't see the game or messenger you want immediately after turning on the screen. Most likely, they were not deleted anywhere, but simply moved to the system icon storage. Let's take a look at how to effectively work with this new space and where to look for lost interface elements.
Access to the list of all installed apps
The main place where applications are stored in Android 9 is the application menu. To get there, you need to perform a specific gesture action, which differs from the usual swipe. On most devices with a "clean" interface, you need to swipe from the bottom of the screen up to the middle or above. This action will open a separate page containing a grid with all the icons.
In some custom shells, such as MIUI or EMUI, this section can be accessed through a special button in the dock panel (the bottom line with the main applications). It usually looks like a circle with dots inside or a diagram of six circles. Clicking on this button instantly transfers the user to the full directory of installed software.
It is important to note that this display mode works. vertical scrolling. You can scroll up and down the list to find the app you need. If you have many utilities installed, searching may take time, so the system offers several tools to speed up navigation. Ignoring this menu often leads to the mistaken belief that the phone is “buggy” or has deleted data.
⚠️ Attention: If swiping up does not open the menu, but simply shows Google search or widgets, check the launcher settings. You may have the "Classic" mode active, where all the icons are on the desktops.
Searching and sorting in the application menu
When the list of apps becomes too large, manual scrolling becomes ineffective. Android 9 has a built-in quick search mechanism. At the top of the application menu screen is usually a search bar. By entering the first letters of the name there, you will instantly filter the list and see only relevant results.
In addition to text search, the system supports alphabetical sorting. To the right of the list of icons there is often a vertical bar with letters of the alphabet. By sliding your finger over these letters, you can quickly move to sections starting with the desired letter. This is especially convenient for those who remember the exact name of the application, but do not want to enter it manually.
It is also worth paying attention to the "Recently added" or "New" tab (depending on the system language and smartphone model, for example, Honor or Huawei). It allows you to quickly find the software that you installed just a couple of minutes ago. This eliminates the need to search for a new icon among hundreds of old shortcuts.
Use voice search in the application menu bar. Just click on the microphone and say the name of the app - the system itself will open it if it is installed.
Some manufacturers add the “Suggestions” or “Recommendations” function. Algorithms analyze your behavior and place frequently used applications at the top of the list or in a separate section. This is a dynamic zone that changes depending on the time of day and your habits.
Configuring the display of shortcuts on the desktop
One of the main features of Android 9 is the ability to flexibly configure which icons will be visible immediately. You are not required to keep all apps in a hidden menu. Any application from the general list can be moved to the main screen for quick access.
To do this, go to the all applications menu, find the desired icon, hold it with your finger and drag it to a free area of the desktop. The system will automatically create a page or place a shortcut in an existing grid. This process is called “creating a shortcut” and does not duplicate the application itself, but only creates a link to it.
The reverse operation is also possible. If you want to remove visual noise from your Home screen, simply drag the unwanted shortcut to the top of the screen, where a "Delete" or trash icon will appear. It is important to understand: in standard mode, this action only deletes shortcut, and not the application itself. The app will remain accessible through the general menu.
☑️ Desktop optimization
| Action | Result | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Deleting a shortcut | The icon disappears from the screen, the application remains | Desktop → Drag to trash |
| Deleting an application | The app is completely erased from memory | Applications menu → Hold → Delete |
| Disable applications | The app is hidden and does not work, but is not deleted | Settings → Applications → Select → Disable |
| Creating a folder | Grouping several icons in one container | Drag one icon to another |
Hiding applications and private mode
The question “where are the applications” often arises not because of a change in the interface, but because of the intentional or accidental hiding of software. In Android 9, many manufacturers (for example, Samsung with the One UI shell or Xiaomi) have introduced the "Hidden Applications" feature. This allows you to remove the icons of certain apps from the general list, making them invisible to prying eyes.
To find such apps, you need to go to the launcher settings. Typically the path looks like this: Settings → Home screen → Hidden applications. This section will provide a list of all software that has been excluded from the general visible list. You can get them back by simply unchecking the box next to the name.
There is also a "Secure Folder" or "Second Space" function. This is an isolated environment inside the phone, protected by a separate password or fingerprint. Applications installed in this space are not displayed in the main menu and are not visible in the standard app list.
⚠️ Attention: If you have forgotten the password for the Second Space or Safe Folder, it will be impossible to restore access to applications hidden there without resetting the data of this space.
How to find applications hidden by third-party launchers?
If you are using Nova Launcher, Apex or another third-party interface, the hiding logic may be different. Often you need to double-tap on the desktop or hold down an empty space and select “Hidden applications” in the launcher settings menu. Check the "Gestures" section in your launcher settings.
Search for deleted or disabled system utilities
Sometimes users cannot find applications because they were accidentally disabled in the system settings. This often happens with pre-installed software (bloatware), which the manufacturer allows to deactivate, but not completely remove. Such an application disappears from the menu, but continues to take up space in memory.
To check the status of apps, go to the section Settings → Applications and notifications → Show all applications. Here is a complete list of all installed software, including system services and disabled utilities. If you see the desired application in the list, but it is inactive (gray icon or marked “Disabled”), click on it and select the button Enable.
Once enabled, the icon will automatically return to the application menu or to the desktop, depending on your current display settings. This is a common situation for services such as Google Play Services, browsers or maps, which may have been deactivated in an attempt to free up RAM.
In some cases, the application may be completely removed. If you don't find it even in the list of all apps, try going to Google Play Market. Enter the name into the search. If the button shows "Install", then the app really is not on the device. If it says “Open”, it means that the application is there, but the problem is in displaying the shortcut.
Solving problems with missing icons
There are situations when applications are installed, not disabled, but their icons simply disappeared from view. This may be due to a malfunction of the launcher or system cache. In such cases, you should not immediately reset to factory settings. Try softer recovery methods.
First, clear the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Applications → Find your launcher (for example, "Desktop" or "Pixel Launcher") → Memory → Clear cache. This action will not delete your wallpapers or widgets, but will force the system to rebuild the icon grid, which often returns lost elements.
If Clearing the cache didn't help, check to see if "Easy Mode" or "Senior Mode" is activated. In this interface, fonts become larger, and the number of icons on the screen is sharply reduced to the most necessary ones. You can disable it in the screen settings or through the quick access panel.
In 90% of cases, the “missing” app on Android 9 is simply located in the general menu (App Drawer), which can be accessed by swiping up. Check this action first.
Why did all the icons move to the menu after the Android 9 update?
This is a conscious decision by Google developers to improve ergonomics. On modern screens with a large diagonal, it is inconvenient to keep all the icons on the desktop. The division into “favorites” (desktop) and “full list” (menu) allows you to keep the interface clean and quickly find what you need through search.
Is it possible to return the old view, where all applications are on the screen?
Yes, in the launcher settings of most Android 9 smartphones there is a desktop mode switch. Find "Desktop Style" or "App Menu Type" and select "Classic" or "All Apps on Desktop."
Where do widgets go when you go to the Application Menu?
Widgets are not displayed in the application menu (App Drawer). They are intended exclusively for placement on desktops. To add a widget, you need to hold down an empty space on the desktop and select the "Widgets" section in the menu that appears.
How to find an application if I forgot its name?
Use visual search in the application menu, sorting them by installation date (if such an option is available in your launcher) or looking at the "Recently added" section. You can also use Google smart search on your desktop, describing the function of the application.
Why can’t some system applications be deleted?
System applications are part of the firmware and are necessary for the correct operation of Android 9. Removing them can lead to system instability or a “bootloot” (infinite reboot). The manufacturer blocks their removal for the security of the device.