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If an app icon disappears from a Samsung Galaxy, first check whether only its Home screen shortcut was removed. Swipe up to open Apps, find the app, touch and hold it, then tap Add to Home. If the app is not there, check whether it is hidden or disabled before reinstalling it.

What “deleted icon” can mean

A Home screen icon is often just a shortcut to an installed app. Removing that shortcut does not uninstall the app; choosing Uninstall is a separate action. Samsung notes that menu labels and screens can vary by model and software version, so look for equivalent options if the paths below differ.

Check which state the app is in

What you find Likely situation What to do
The app appears in Apps but not on the Home screen The shortcut was removed Touch and hold the app, then choose Add to Home.
The app is selected in the hidden-app list The app is hidden Remove it from the hidden list and confirm.
The app appears in Settings > Apps but is unavailable It may be disabled Open its app details and enable it if that option is available.
The app is absent from Apps and Settings > Apps It may have been uninstalled Download it again from the app store where you originally got it.

Restore a removed Home screen shortcut

  1. Swipe up from the Home screen to open Apps.
  2. Find the app, then touch and hold its icon.
  3. Tap Add to Home. The app should appear on a Home screen page.

If you do not see the app right away, check other Home screen pages and folders, and make sure the Apps list is not filtered.

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Unhide an app

  1. Open Settings > Home screen.
  2. Tap Hide apps on Home and Apps screens.
  3. Deselect the app from the hidden list, then confirm.

Depending on the Galaxy model and software version, the same setting may be located in Home screen settings or in the Apps screen’s settings. Samsung’s Home screen guidance and regional instructions describe the feature; use the equivalent menu on your device if the wording differs.

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Check whether the app is disabled or uninstalled

  1. Open Settings > Apps and look for the app.
  2. If it is listed, open its details and check whether an Enable option is available. Tap it if the app is disabled.
  3. If it is not listed among installed apps, reinstall it from its original app store.

Also check whether a game is placed in Gaming Hub or Game Launcher rather than where you expect in Apps. Samsung’s missing-shortcut troubleshooting includes games and parental controls among possible checks.

Why the Recycle bin will not restore an app icon

Samsung’s My Files Recycle bin is for deleted files, including supported content from Samsung apps such as Gallery and Voice Recorder; it does not recover Home screen shortcuts. Samsung’s One UI 6 file-recovery guidance says deleted files are permanently removed from the bin after 30 days. That period applies to files in the bin, not app icons.

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Leave Home screen resets until later

Clearing One UI Home data can reset your Home screen layout, and a factory reset can remove data. Neither is an appropriate first step for a missing icon. If the checks above do not resolve the problem, back up important information and consult Samsung support before attempting a reset.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

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