- Also read: Our 10 best Android lock screens
There was a lot of shouting on the internet for the release of the LG G5 and for the Korean manufacturer, who announced that it would get rid of the app drawer at first glance, to stand up to this new trend.
However, Android of course allows its users to easily find their habits, for example, by installing an alternative app launcher. But Huawei, Xiaomi or Meizu phone buyers are already accustomed to doing without this famous drawer…
And that’s not a bad thing: Learning how to use a new app launcher can be difficult, and installing another app can sometimes annoy some users. So here is our tips To conveniently customize your Android smartphone even without the app drawer.
Files to be well organized
For users using a phone from iOS or with a skin close to it, the observation is immediately clear: apps can take up too much space on the screen without an app drawer.
Feel free to use folders as much as possible for this. For most launchers the method will always be the same: keep pressing in any app, then drag it onto another app.
A folder will be created automatically and all you have to do is rename it and drag other apps into it. This will give you a lot Square and quickly, you no longer have to search for empty spots in a huge list of apps to find what interests you.
Manage your various desktop pages
With or without an app drawer, managing your desktop pages well is essential to avoid getting stuck on your phone. Especially when you don’t have an app drawer, this becomes the number one way to access your apps.
We quickly forget the early days of iOS duplicating pages. armored we manage applications without the slightest gap and as well as possible. Here, don’t forget to use the page builder tool (long press or “pinch” on the desktop) to see it more clearly.
The best would be to create a homepage by default (in this tool, use the star/house to identify it) make sure you always have it with the apps and widgets you use the most. Then delegate other pages to less used applications, for example using folders.
Use search to easily find your apps
Manufacturers often highlight this feature when they drop the app drawer. And even though it is little used, it must be said that it is extremely practical when you have a lot of applications.
Your phone’s search bar lets you find content not only on the web but also on your phone. And this also applies to applications ! Also, just start typing the name of the app in question to find it easily.
Therefore, it is recommended to put this search bar widget directly on your home page for once again quick access. If your apps don’t appear in search, go to the app “Google” > Settings > Phone Search and enable “Applications”.
Hide unnecessary apps
Comes with many phones pre-installed apps unfortunately it cannot be deleted. But do not panic: at least you can hide them. The most basic solution would of course be to create a “Trash” folder to ignore them.
But there is still something better: depending on the launcher (and thus phone) you are using, naturally some apps Options its. So feel free to take a look at its parameters.
But if that’s not the case, all you have to do is Settings > Apps, select the one you don’t want to see anymore and then hit “Disable” to hide it from your phone completely. However, be careful to only disable apps that are not essential for your phone to work.
More space with larger grid
You’re also not bound by Android’s default presentation, which on the contrary can seem like it gives you huge icons when you want rigor. No worries, as more and more manufacturers allow you to change the size of the default grid.
However, finding this option will vary by phone. Some offer this option in Settings > Home, while others Settings > Displayet al let you configure your launcher directly by pressing and holding on the desktop and going to “Settings”.
Regardless of the option used by the creator of your interface, you can find an option “View grid size” will actually save you space. By default, your desktop displays probably 4 apps long and 5 apps high.
But these settings will allow you to zoom out your interface a bit so you get a 10×10 grid for example and will allow you to place it. more icons right on your desk and find your favorite visual setting.
- Check it out: Our pick of the 10 best free icon packs for Android
Or… Alternative Launcher!
Of course, if you don’t like your phone’s app launcher out of the box, there is still a solution… alternative launcher ! And of course there are a lot of offers in this area in the Play Store, you are probably not missing out.
If great classics are the best for you, we encourage you to review them right away. Google Assistant Launcher This will allow you to find more or less the same feeling as a Nexus phone.
But if you want to go further in customization or test alternatives that try to radically change our habits on smartphones, feel free to take a look at the best alternative Android launchers of 2016.
