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Put the things you use most on the Home screen, group related apps in clearly named folders, and leave occasional apps in the Apps screen. For a shortcut you want while another app is open, consider an Apps Edge panel. This arrangement can make common actions easier to reach, but the number of taps saved depends on your routine; Samsung does not publish a tap- or time-saving figure.
Choose where each item belongs
Use the Home screen for quick launches and information you check often. Keep less-used apps in the Apps screen, where search and sorting can help you find them. An Edge panel is an optional swipe-in shortcut for selected apps or tools while you are using another screen.
| Option | Best for | Access and space | Availability notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favorite apps bar | Your most-used app launches | At the bottom of the Home screen; holds up to five app shortcuts. A folder can group additional favorites. | Samsung documents the five-shortcut limit on its Favorite apps bar support page. |
| Home screen folder | Related apps you use regularly but do not need individually prominent | One folder shortcut opens a group of apps; it uses less Home screen space than separate shortcuts. | Folder behavior and layout can vary by device and software version. |
| Widget | Information or controls you want to see or use without opening the associated app | Appears on the Home screen and occupies screen space; widgets can be moved or resized. | Available widgets and behavior depend on the app and software version. Stacking is documented for One UI 5.1.1. |
| Apps screen | Occasional apps | Requires opening the Apps screen, then browsing or searching; does not add shortcuts to the Home screen. | Search and sorting are documented by Samsung; search-bar placement can vary. |
| Apps Edge panel | A short list of apps or tools you want to reach while using another screen | Swipe in the panel when needed; it avoids returning to the Home screen but requires an available panel and a visible handle. | Panel availability varies, and some downloadable panels may cost money. |
Put the most-used apps in the Favorite apps bar
Start with the few apps you launch repeatedly. The Favorite apps bar sits along the bottom of the Home screen and supports up to five app shortcuts. Samsung notes that you can use a folder there to group additional favorites. Choose based on your own routine rather than filling every slot by default. Samsung’s shortcut instructions cover the bar and app shortcuts.
Group secondary apps in task-based folders
Use folders for apps that belong together but do not all need a separate Home screen spot. Names such as “Travel,” “Work,” or “Bills” can make a group easier to scan; these are practical examples, not prescribed Samsung categories.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
- On the Home screen, touch and hold an app shortcut.
- Drag it over another app shortcut and release to create a folder.
- Name the folder, then add other related app shortcuts as needed.
A Home screen shortcut is not the installed app itself. Removing a shortcut from the Home screen does not uninstall the app; it remains available in the Apps screen. Samsung’s Galaxy app management guide explains shortcuts, folders, sorting, and search.
Add widgets only for information or controls you check often
A widget can put useful information or controls on the Home screen without requiring you to open its app. Add one when that direct access is worth the screen space; a widget you rarely use can make the screen harder to scan.
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
- Touch and hold an empty area of the Home screen.
- Open Widgets, choose a widget, and add it.
- Move or resize it to fit your layout.
Samsung documents adding, moving, and resizing widgets in its One UI 7 guide. Widget stacks are described on Samsung’s One UI 5.1.1 feature page; do not assume stacking works the same way on every Galaxy or software version.
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Keep occasional apps in the Apps screen
You do not need a Home screen shortcut for every installed app. Use the Apps screen for apps you open infrequently, then search by all or part of an app’s name or browse using an available sort order. Samsung says the search bar may appear at the top or bottom of the Apps screen. Its app management instructions describe search and alphabetical or custom ordering.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Use an Edge panel for access from other screens
If you often need a small set of apps without leaving what you are doing, an Apps Edge panel can offer a swipe-accessible list. Add only the apps you actually reach for and reorder them to suit your routine. If the handle distracts you, or the panel is not available on your phone, skip it.
Samsung’s Edge panel instructions explain how to add, remove, edit, or reorder panels and note that availability varies; some downloadable panels may be paid. For an overview of One UI Home and Edge panels, see Samsung’s One UI Home page.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Adjust the setup to your Galaxy’s software version
Samsung cautions that Home screen steps can differ by wireless provider, software version, and device model. One UI 7, for example, includes changes such as adjustable app icon sizes and labels, grid and landscape behavior, and an Apps screen search bar that may sit at the bottom; alphabetical app order scrolls vertically in that version. These details are not universal to every Galaxy phone or later software. See Samsung’s One UI 7 Home screen changes and One UI 7 guide.
If a menu or control described here is missing, check your Galaxy’s One UI version and model-specific Samsung support page, or search Settings for the feature name. Samsung’s Home screen guidance also notes that steps may vary by device and software version: Organize the Home screen on your Galaxy phone or tablet.
Best Value
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Test the layout against your routine
Try the arrangement for the tasks you repeat, rather than aiming for a particular number of shortcuts. For each frequently used item, ask whether you need to launch its app, glance at information, use a control, or reach it while another app is open. Keep it in the simplest place that fits that need, then move or remove items that do not earn their space.
For needs that change by activity, Samsung’s One UI 5.1.1 feature page describes Modes for activities such as work, study, and exercise, alongside example actions in Modes and Routines. These are version-specific features, not a guarantee that a Home screen layout will automatically change for every context: Samsung One UI 5.1.1 features.
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