Google has moved the setting that controls whether new app icons appear on the Android Home screen into the device’s launcher settings, and this guide will walk you through how to manage it.
This setting specifically affects new app installations and does not alter existing icons already on the Home screen, as noted in the “Before you start” section of the guide.
To enable or disable new app icons from appearing on the Home screen automatically, follow these steps: tap and hold a blank area of the Home screen, ensuring your finger is not on a widget or an existing app icon.
Next, tap “Preferences” or “Settings,” which will appear at the bottom of the screen, opening the launcher’s settings. Then, tap “Home screen,” typically the first option presented within the launcher’s menu.
Finally, tap the switch next to “Add icons to Home screen” to turn it on or off; this setting is labeled “For new apps” to clarify its function for newly installed applications.
If you accidentally delete an app icon, you can find the app in the app drawer and drag its icon back to the Home screen, as suggested in the “Pro tip.”
Having configured how new app icons appear, users can further organize their Android device by creating folders on the Home screen to group similar apps, making them easier to find and reducing clutter.
Exploring other customization options within the launcher settings, such as changing the grid size, icon pack, or transition animations, can also personalize the Android experience and enhance usability.
