Remove App From Android Home Screen

How to Remove an App from Your Home Screen on Android.

Learn how to remove an app from your Android home screen without uninstalling it. I show you the steps to clean up your home screen while keeping the app in your app drawer. This is useful if you want to de-clutter your phone but still need quick access to the app.

I’m showing you this on a Sony Xperia 1 V Global – EU Model XQ-DQ54 running Android 15.

Removing vs Uninstalling: What Is the Difference

When you long press an app icon, you will see a few options. One of them is Uninstall, which completely removes the app from your phone. The other option is Remove, which only takes the app off your home screen.

If you remove an app, it stays installed on your phone. You can still find it and use it. It just won’t show up on your home screen anymore.

How to Remove App from Android Phone Home Screen Without Uninstalling Video

How to Remove an App from the Home Screen

1. Long press on the app icon you want to remove.
2. You will see options like App info and Uninstall.
3. Don’t tap Uninstall. Instead, drag the icon to the Remove option at the top of the screen.
4. Let go of the icon.

The app is now removed from your home screen but still installed on your phone.

How to Find the App After Removing It

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app drawer.
2. You will see all your installed apps there, including the one you just removed.
3. You can also search for the app by name.
4. Tap on the app to open it.

The app works just like before. It is only the home screen shortcut that is gone.

How to Add the App Back to Your Home Screen

If you change your mind later, you can add the app back.

1. Open the app drawer.
2. Long press on the app icon.
3. Drag it to the home screen where you want it.
4. Let go of the icon.

The app is now back on your home screen.

Why You Might Want to Do This

• To de-clutter your home screen.
• To keep only the apps you use every day on the home screen.
• To keep an app installed but out of sight.
• To organize your home screen without deleting anything.

A Note About Different Android Phones

This works on most Android phones in a similar way. The exact steps might look a little different depending on your phone brand and Android version, but the idea is the same. You have a home screen and an app drawer, and you can remove apps from the home screen without uninstalling them.

Quick Recap

• Long press the app icon.
• Drag it to Remove, not Uninstall.
• The app stays installed and shows up in the app drawer.
• To add it back, long press it in the app drawer and drag it to the home screen.
• Removing is not the same as uninstalling.