I rebuilt my Samsung Galaxy home screen around the apps I use most, moved everything else off the first screen, and stopped wasting time hunting through clutter. That time saving is my experience, not a measured result. Samsung documents the organization tools below, but not a timed comparison showing how much faster they make app-finding.
The steps here follow Samsung’s documented One UI features. Exact screens and settings can vary by carrier, model, and software version, so menu labels may differ on your Galaxy.
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Start by deciding what belongs on the first screen
Think of the Home screen as a short list of frequent destinations, not a place to display every installed app. Samsung distinguishes it from the Apps screen: the Apps screen shows installed apps, while the Home screen holds default items and shortcuts you choose to add. I kept the apps I reach for most often visible and left the rest in the Apps screen.
Remove clutter without uninstalling apps
To add a shortcut, swipe up or down from the Home screen to open the Apps screen, then long-press the app and choose Add to Home. You can also drag the app to the position you want. Samsung’s US guide describes these steps in Add app shortcuts on your Galaxy phone or tablet.
#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
To clear a shortcut from the Home screen, long-press it and choose Remove. This removes the shortcut, not the installed app; the app remains available from the Apps screen. That distinction made it easy to declutter without worrying that I was deleting anything important.
Group related shortcuts into folders
When several apps serve a similar purpose, drag one shortcut on top of another to create a folder. I used folders for apps I still wanted close at hand but did not need to see individually. Samsung documents up to five apps in the Favorites bar. If you put the Apps screen button there, Samsung’s US instructions say the bar can hold four apps instead.
Rank #2
- 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.
Add widgets only when they earn their space
A widget is useful when it provides information at a glance or lets you take a direct action without opening the app. To add one, long-press an empty area of the Home screen, tap Widgets, select a widget and size, then add it. Some widgets can be resized or configured after placement. You can move or remove a widget; removing it does not delete the app’s settings. Samsung’s Galaxy Home screen guide, last updated September 30, 2024, covers this workflow.
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Lock the layout once it feels right
To prevent accidental movement or deletion, open Home screen settings and enable Lock Home screen layout. The setting is useful once you have finished arranging shortcuts and widgets, though its exact location can vary between software versions.
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.
Choose between built-in layout tools and Home Up
For a straightforward arrangement of shortcuts, folders, widgets, and a standard grid, the built-in One UI options are the simpler route. If you want freer placement or a grid option missing from your phone’s standard menu, Samsung’s Good Lock module Home Up offers additional controls. The choice depends on the layout you want and whether the feature is available in your software version; Samsung’s sources do not establish that either approach is faster for everyone.
| Approach | Setup | Layout flexibility | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in One UI | Use the Home screen and widget settings already on the device | Organize shortcuts, folders, widgets, and supported standard grids | A simple, conventional home screen |
| Good Lock with Home Up | Use Good Lock and open its Home Up controls | Additional grid choices and freer placement through DIY Home Screen | A nonstandard grid or more flexible positioning, if supported |
Samsung describes Home Up’s DIY Home Screen as allowing apps, widgets, and folders to be resized and repositioned freely. The module also includes options such as hiding the Favorites row, using sticker-layer app shortcuts, and changing home gesture animations. See Samsung’s April 9, 2025 Home Up overview for its feature description.
Rank #4
- 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.
Check grid options on One UI 7
Samsung’s One UI 7 instructions say the standard Home screen grid menu does not offer 4×5 or 5×5 layouts. Samsung documents those grid sizes through Good Lock > Home Up > Home screen > Home screen grid. Availability and labels can differ by device, software, and app version, so check the options on your own phone rather than assuming another Galaxy has the same menu.
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Samsung’s One UI 7 guidance is available on its Korean service page; the steps above translate the documented feature path into English rather than claiming the English interface uses identical labels.
Quick Recap
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
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