You can make it easier to find apps by grouping your apps into different app folders. You can create alphabetical as well as app folders with similar functions for easy access to your apps. Both iPhone and Android allow you to create app folders.
You have so many apps on your phone that it’s hard to find what you really need when you need it. Here are a few things you can do to make finding and launching apps a faster and more efficient process.
Use your app’s search
Perhaps the simplest solution to finding an app is to simply search for it. iPhone has Spotlight Search, and on Android typing an app’s name into the Google widget can quickly bring it up as well. However, you’ll always have to remember the name of the app you want, and typing with the keyboard can be a challenge if you’re using your phone with one hand.
Group apps to make them easier to find
If you don’t want to type anything in the search bar, or if you prefer a visual search, you can speed up the search for apps on your home screen by grouping apps. The iPhone and almost all Android phones let you put two or more apps in a single container (called an app folder) that takes up the space of a single icon on your home screen. When you need an app, you tap on a folder and all the apps inside it appear. You then launch your apps as you would from your app drawer or home screen.
Folders not only make it easier to find apps, they also clutter up your home screen. With all these apps neatly organized and removed, you get a more stress-free, minimalist feel or room for more widgets.
Create an app folder on iPhone by first tapping and holding on the Home screen until all apps start moving, then dragging an app on top of another app. On most Android phones, including Samsung’s Galaxy phones, you can create app folders by dragging an app and dropping it on top of another app.
If you’re not sure what kind of groups to create, one idea is to group your apps alphabetically. Doing so ensures that you can find an app when you really need it without any struggle as long as you remember the name. For example, you can put the Uber app in a folder called “U Apps” or “UZ”. So you know exactly where that app is when you’re out and about and want to hail a taxi.
Another option is to group apps by function. For example, you can put all your instant messaging apps in one folder, making it very easy to find the app you need when you want to chat or chat with someone. Likewise, you can group all your streaming apps into one folder. This helps you save time and eliminates the hassle of going through multiple home screens to find the app you want.
CONNECTED. Why are iPhones still limited to 9 apps per folder page?
Place apps and folders strategically on the home screen
Another way to simplify your app search is to put your most frequently used apps at your fingertips. Google’s Pixel phones put your recently used apps at the bottom of the phone’s screen by default, but you might have apps you never want out of reach.
It’s a good idea if you’re right-handed, for example, to place your favorite apps in the bottom-right corner of the home screen.
If you are left-handed, use the bottom left corner. That way, even when you have to use your phone with one hand, your most frequently used apps will be easily accessible.
Hide or remove rarely used apps
You can also simply move your rarely used apps to a less accessible area of your home screen to make your favorite apps easier to find. So you’ll have access to them, but these apps won’t get in your way or interrupt your everyday phone experience.
If you have a lot of apps that you rarely use, consider removing them entirely. Not only do they get in the way of finding other apps, they also take up storage space. Also, the fewer apps you have installed, the smaller your “attack surface” is. you reduce the number of paths to your device for viruses and hackers.
Using Android? Try a different launcher
The advantage of being an Android user is that you have a lot of control over how your phone works, and that includes discovering and running apps. In fact, there are many alternative app launchers for Android that replace your phone’s default app drawer. We especially love Niagra Launcher for large phones because it makes it easy to launch apps with one hand.
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