This guide will show you how to control whether newly downloaded applications automatically create an icon on your Android Home screen or simply go to your app drawer. Google has moved this setting from the Google Play Store directly into your device’s launcher settings, affecting only new app installations.
How to manage new app icons on your Android home screen
Follow these steps to enable or disable new app icons from appearing on your Home screen automatically.
- Tap and hold a blank area of your Home screen. Ensure your finger is not on a widget or an existing app icon to avoid opening other options.
- Tap Preferences or Settings. This option will appear at the bottom of your screen and will open your launcher’s settings.
- Tap Home screen. This is typically the first option presented within your launcher’s menu.
- Tap the switch next to “Add icons to Home screen” to turn it on/off. This setting is specifically labeled “For new apps” to clarify its function for newly installed applications.
What to do next?
Now that you’ve configured how new app icons appear, you can further organize your Android device. Consider creating folders on your Home screen to group similar apps, making them easier to find and reducing clutter.
You might also explore other customization options within your launcher settings, such as changing the grid size, icon pack, or transition animations, to personalize your Android experience even further and enhance usability.
