In the realm of smartphones, Android reigns supreme, boasting an unparalleled array of customization options. Among these, the ability to group apps on the home screen stands out as a beacon of convenience and efficiency. By organizing related apps into cohesive units, users can streamline their workflows, enhance productivity, and reclaim valuable screen real estate. Moreover, grouping apps on Android is an effortless process that can be accomplished in a matter of moments, empowering users to tailor their devices to their specific needs.
To embark on this organizational endeavor, simply long-press on an app icon on the home screen. As the icon begins to wiggle, gently drag it over another app that you wish to group it with. A gray circle will appear, indicating the creation of a new group. Release the icon into the circle, and the two apps will merge into a single, expandable folder. To add more apps to the group, simply repeat the drag-and-drop process. When finished, tap anywhere on the screen to save your changes.
In addition to its aesthetic benefits, grouping apps also enhances functionality. By placing related apps in close proximity, users can access them more quickly and easily. For instance, grouping social media apps together allows for seamless navigation between different platforms. Similarly, grouping productivity apps streamlines workflows by keeping essential tools within easy reach. Whether you’re a power user or a casual smartphone enthusiast, organizing apps into groups is an invaluable technique for optimizing your Android experience.
Creating App Folders
Grouping apps into folders is an effective way to organize your Android home screen, making it easier to find and launch the apps you use most frequently. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create app folders:
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Long Press on an App Icon
Locate the app you want to add to a folder and press and hold its icon until the home screen enters “edit mode.” You’ll see the app icons begin to wiggle and a small menu appear above them.
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Drag and Drop the App
Drag the app icon to another app that you want to include in the same folder. As you drag the icon, a small circle will appear next to the other app, indicating that the two apps will be grouped together.
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Rename the Folder
Once you’ve added all the desired apps to the folder, tap the pencil icon that appears above it. Enter a custom name for the folder to make it easier to identify. You can also choose to use a pre-defined name, such as “Games” or “Social Media.”
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Organize Apps Within the Folder
To rearrange the apps within the folder, simply press and hold an app icon and drag it to a new position. You can also add or remove apps from the folder by following the same drag-and-drop process.
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Create Nested Folders
If you need to organize your apps further, you can create nested folders. To do this, create a new folder as usual, then drag and drop another folder into it. This can help you to categorize your apps based on specific themes or use cases.
| Android Version | Folder Customization |
|---|---|
| Android 10 and Above | Supports color-coded folders, custom icons, and the ability to add widgets to folders |
| Android 9 (Pie) | Introduces rounded folder corners and the ability to drag and drop apps into and out of folders from the app launcher |
| Android 8 (Oreo) | Enabled folder previews, which show the contents of a folder when you tap and hold on it |
| Android 7 (Nougat) | Added the ability to create folders from the app drawer |
Using Widgets
One of the most straightforward methods for grouping apps on Android is through the use of widgets. Widgets are small, resizable app shortcuts that can be placed on your home screen or in the app drawer. Many stock Android widgets allow you to group multiple apps into a single widget, such as the App Shortcuts widget or the Custom Shelf widget.
To create an app group using a widget, long-press on the home screen or in the app drawer and select “Widgets.” Then, find the widget that you want to use and drag and drop it onto your home screen or into the app drawer. Tap on the widget to open the app selection menu and choose the apps that you want to include in the group.
You can also create custom widgets using third-party apps like Widgetsmith or KWGT. These apps allow you to create widgets with a variety of designs and functions, including the ability to group apps. To create a custom app group widget, simply install the app and follow the instructions on how to create a new widget.
Widget Options
Here is a table summarizing the different widget options available for grouping apps on Android:
| Widget | Features | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| App Shortcuts | – Create groups of up to 5 apps – Customizable icons and labels – Supports multiple home screens |
– Only available on stock Android devices – Limited customization options |
| Custom Shelf | – Create groups of up to 8 apps – Customizable appearance – Supports multiple home screens |
– Only available on Samsung devices – Requires One UI 3.1 or later |
| Widgetsmith | – Create custom widgets with a variety of designs – Support for app groups – Supports multiple home screens |
– Requires a premium subscription for advanced features – May not be compatible with all devices |
| KWGT | – Create highly customizable widgets – Support for app groups – Supports multiple home screens |
– Requires some technical knowledge to use – May be complex for beginners |
Drawer Categories
App drawers organize apps into different categories, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. Here are some common drawer categories:
- All apps: Lists all the apps installed on your device.
- Recently added: Shows the apps you’ve recently installed.
- Frequent: Displays the apps you use the most.
Custom Categories
You can also create your own custom categories to group apps based on your preferences. To create a custom category:
1. Open the app drawer.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Create category.”
4. Enter a name for the category.
5. Tap “OK.”
Once you’ve created a custom category, you can start adding apps to it. To add an app to a category:
1. Long-press on the app icon.
2. Drag the app icon to the category you want to add it to.
You can also create subcategories within custom categories to further organize your apps. To create a subcategory:
1. Open the custom category you want to create a subcategory in.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Create subcategory.”
4. Enter a name for the subcategory.
5. Tap “OK.”
Once you’ve created a subcategory, you can start adding apps to it. To add an app to a subcategory:
1. Long-press on the app icon.
2. Drag the app icon to the subcategory you want to add it to.
App Organizer Apps
App organizer apps provide a convenient way to organize and group your apps on Android. These apps allow you to create custom folders and categories, making it easy to find the apps you need and keep your home screen clutter-free.
Popular App Organizer Apps
| App Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Apex Launcher | Highly customizable launcher with support for app groups and folders |
| Niagara Launcher | Minimalist launcher with a focus on vertical scrolling and app grouping |
| Nova Launcher | Powerful launcher with extensive app organization options, including app groups and custom folders |
| Smart Launcher 5 | All-in-one launcher with built-in app grouping, automatic app sorting, and gesture controls |
Benefits of Using App Organizer Apps
- Improved organization: App organizer apps help you keep your apps organized and clutter-free.
- Faster app access: Easily find the apps you need by grouping them into relevant categories.
- Customizable: Most app organizer apps offer customizable options, allowing you to tailor the app layout to your preferences.
- Enhanced privacy: Keep sensitive apps private by creating hidden folders and app groups.
- Increased productivity: Having your apps organized can save you time and improve your workflow.
Third-Party Launchers
If the built-in app drawer options don’t meet your needs, consider installing a third-party launcher. These launchers provide extensive customization options, including advanced app grouping features.
Popular Third-Party Launchers for App Grouping:
| Launcher | App Grouping Features |
|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | – Customizable icon layouts – Drag-and-drop widgets and apps into groups – Create custom folders with dynamic icons |
| Niagara Launcher | – Vertical app drawer with alphabetical grouping – Swipe down to search grouped apps – Smart system that suggests similar apps to add to groups |
| Apex Launcher | – Highly customizable app drawer grid size – Group apps by category, color, or last used – Nested folders for complex app organization |
To install a third-party launcher:
1. Go to the Google Play Store.
2. Search for the launcher you want.
3. Tap “Install.”
4. Once installed, set the new launcher as your default.
With a third-party launcher, you can further personalize your Android home screen and create app groups that suit your specific workflow and preferences.
Hide Apps into Folders
**1. Create a new folder.** Long-press on the home screen and select “Create folder.”
**2. Drag apps into the folder.** Drag and drop the apps you want to hide into the folder.
**3. Name the folder.** Tap the folder and enter a name for it.
**4. Hide the folder.** Long-press on the folder and select “Hide folder.”
**5. Unhide the folder.** To unhide a folder, long-press on the home screen and select “Show all folders.” Then, tap on the folder you want to unhide.
**6. Lock the folder.** To prevent others from accessing the hidden folder, you can lock it with a password. To do this, long-press on the folder and select “Lock folder.”
**7. Customize the folder appearance.** You can customize the appearance of the hidden folder by changing its icon and color. To do this, long-press on the folder and select “Edit folder.” Then, tap on the icon or color you want to change.
| Features | How to Enable |
|---|---|
| Hide apps into folders | – Create a new folder – Drag apps into the folder – Name the folder – Hide the folder – Lock the folder – Customize the folder appearance |
| Unhide apps into folders | –Unhide the folder |
Using Dock Bars
Dock bars are a convenient way to group apps together on your Android device. They are similar to the dock on a Mac or the taskbar on a PC. To create a dock bar, long-press on an app icon and drag it to the bottom of the screen. You can then add more apps to the dock bar by dragging and dropping them.
To open an app from a dock bar, simply tap on its icon. You can also long-press on an app icon to open a menu of options, such as uninstalling the app or creating a shortcut.
Dock bars can be customized to your liking. You can change the size and position of the dock bar, and you can add or remove apps from it. To customize a dock bar, long-press on the dock bar and select the “Edit” option.
Dock bars are a great way to keep your most frequently used apps within easy reach. They are also a good way to organize your apps by category.
Customizing Dock Bars
You can customize dock bars to your liking. Here are some of the things you can do:
- Change the size of the dock bar. To do this, long-press on the dock bar and select the “Resize” option. You can then drag the edges of the dock bar to make it larger or smaller.
- Change the position of the dock bar. To do this, long-press on the dock bar and select the “Move” option. You can then drag the dock bar to a new location on the screen.
- Add or remove apps from the dock bar. To add an app to the dock bar, long-press on the app icon and drag it to the dock bar. To remove an app from the dock bar, long-press on the app icon and select the “Remove” option.
- Change the order of the apps in the dock bar. To do this, long-press on an app icon and drag it to a new location in the dock bar.
- Change the appearance of the dock bar. To do this, long-press on the dock bar and select the “Theme” option. You can then choose from a variety of themes.
- Hide the dock bar. To do this, long-press on the dock bar and select the “Hide” option. The dock bar will then be hidden until you long-press on the bottom of the screen again.
- Lock the dock bar. To do this, long-press on the dock bar and select the “Lock” option. The dock bar will then be locked in place and you will not be able to move or resize it.
- Add a background to the dock bar. To do this, long-press on the dock bar and select the “Background” option. You can then choose from a variety of backgrounds.
Grouping Apps Based on Usage
There are several ways to group apps based on their usage. Here are some common methods:
General
You can create a general folder for all your apps. This is a good option if you don’t want to spend a lot of time organizing your apps or if you don’t have a specific way you want to group them.
Productivity
You can create a folder for all your productivity apps, such as your email, calendar, to-do list, and note-taking apps. This can help you stay organized and focused when you’re working.
Social media
You can create a folder for all your social media apps, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. This can help you keep your social media life separate from your work and personal life.
Entertainment
You can create a folder for all your entertainment apps, such as your games, music apps, and streaming apps. This can help you easily find the apps you want to use when you’re relaxing.
Utilities
You can create a folder for all your utility apps, such as your flashlight, calculator, and compass. This can help you keep these apps organized and easy to find.
Travel
You can create a folder for all your travel apps, such as your maps, navigation apps, and guidebooks. This can help you stay organized and prepared when you’re traveling.
Shopping
You can create a folder for all your shopping apps, such as your online retailers, price comparison apps, and wish lists. This can help you easily find the apps you need when you’re shopping.
Finances
You can create a folder for all your finance apps, such as your banking apps, budgeting apps, and investment apps. This can help you keep your finances organized and on track.
Health and fitness
You can create a folder for all your health and fitness apps, such as your fitness tracker, diet apps, and sleep trackers. This can help you stay motivated and on track with your health goals.
Grouping Apps by Color or Icon
Additionally, you can organize your apps based on their color or icon. This visual approach makes it easy to quickly identify specific apps or groups without having to read their names.
Steps:
1. Tap and hold an app icon until a menu appears.
2. Select “Edit Home Screen.”
3. Drag and drop the app onto another app of the same color or with a similar icon.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 to add more apps to the group.
5. You can also create multiple groups by repeating steps 1-4 for different sets of apps.
6. To rename a group, tap on its name and enter a new one.
7. To move a group, tap and hold its name and drag it to a new location on the home screen.
8. To delete a group, tap and hold its name and drag it to the “Remove” button at the top of the screen.
9. To change the color of a group’s background, tap on its name and select “Edit Group.”
10. Tap on the “Color” option and choose a new color from the palette.
How To Group Apps On Android
Grouping apps on Android can help you organize your home screen and make it easier to find the apps you need. Here’s how to do it:
- Long press on an empty space on your home screen.
- Tap on the "Widgets" icon.
- Scroll down and find the "App Groups" widget.
- Drag and drop the widget onto your home screen.
- Tap on the widget to add apps to it.
- Select the apps you want to add and tap on the "Add" button.
- You can also create new groups by tapping on the "Create new group" button.
- Enter a name for the new group and tap on the "Create" button.
Once you have created a group, you can add more apps to it by long pressing on the app and dragging it into the group.
You can also rearrange the groups on your home screen by long pressing on a group and dragging it to a new location.
People Also Ask About How To Group Apps On Android
Can I group apps in the app drawer?
Yes, you can group apps in the app drawer by creating folders.
How do I create a folder in the app drawer?
To create a folder in the app drawer, long press on an app and drag it on top of another app. A new folder will be created and you can add more apps to it.
Can I rename folders in the app drawer?
Yes, you can rename folders in the app drawer by long pressing on the folder and tapping on the “Rename” option.
