The Samsung Galaxy S21 not only flagship in features but also in productivity. For example, the apps tray is part of the launcher on the phone and it’s the area where One UI 3.1 enables lots of customization in this premium device.
Therefore, we have pointed out all the tips and tricks related to app management in the S21 smartphone, which are as follows.
Show all the apps on the home screen
This is a popular option for some. If you want to remove the apps tray, long press on the home screen and tap Settings. Then select “home screen layout” and you’ll see two options, “home screen only” or “home and apps screen”. The former removes the apps tray completely, like the iPhone.
Add or remove an apps tray button
By default, there is no apps tray button and you open the apps tray with a swipe. If you want the button back head into the home screen settings as above and select “show apps screen button”. Here you can turn it on or off.
Swipe to show or hide the apps tray
As above, the Galaxy S21 lets you view the apps tray with a swipe up. The apps pages themselves then scroll left and right. If you want to return to the home page, you don’t need to press the home button, you can just swipe up again and the apps tray vanishes.
Change the apps screen grid size
Like the home screen, you can change the density of apps in the apps tray/page. As above, go into the home screen settings, and you’ll see the option for “apps screen grid”, with up to 5×6. The latter will pack more apps in.
Alphabetise or custom order your apps
In the apps tray, hit the menu in the top right-hand corner, then “sort”. This will give you the option to have alphabetical order. Just tap that option and everything will drop into place. Or hit the menu button in the top right-hand corner, then tap “sort”. This time, select “custom order”. You can now you can drag the apps to the position you want them in.
Create an apps tray folder
You can have a folder for apps whether you’re in custom or alphabetical order. Just press and hold an app icon and drag it over another and a folder will be created. You can then edit the name and color as you wish.
Search your entire phone with Finder
At the top of the apps, the screen is a search bar for Finder. This will return search results for apps you have installed, but can also search content in apps, like Netflix, Play Store, messages, reminder, calendar, and a whole lot more. Tap the Finder bar in the apps tray, then hit the menu button on the right then you can choose where it searches.
Let Finder give you app suggestions
When you tap on the Finder at the top of the apps tray, you’ll immediately get suggestions based on recent apps you’ve used. If you don’t want this, head into the Finder settings as above, and you can turn it off under “show suggested apps”.
Uninstall apps
You can uninstall directly from an app icon. Just a long-press on the app and a pop-up menu will give you the option to uninstall an app. If it’s a core app (which you can’t uninstall) the same option will let you disable an app.
Add apps to your home screen
Press and hold on to the app shortcut in the app’s tray. This will let you place a shortcut on your home screen by dragging it to the top of the page, or you can select “add to home” from the pop-up menu that appears.
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Stop adding new app icons to the home screen
Head into the home screen settings (long press on the wallpaper) and you’ll find the option to “add apps to home screen”. Turn this off, otherwise, every app you install will be added to your home screen. Or turn it on, if that’s what you want.
Change the default app
Android lets you decide which is the default app if you have more than one that will do the same thing. Under settings > apps, then “choose default apps”. Here you can see what has been selected as the default browser, calling app, messaging app, and home screen. Other defaults are selected by the first app you open for a particular task.
Control app permissions
Android lets you manage all the permissions for each app on an individual basis. Go to settings > apps and select the app you want, then hit Permissions. This will let you toggle permissions on and off, so you can disable location or contact access, for example.
