This step will reset your home screen completely and is only recommended if disappearing icons is a continuous problem. Go to 'Settings' 'Apps & notifications' 'App info'. Select the app that handles the launcher. The app we are looking for will differ depending on the device.
Icons are how we identify an app among the neatly arranged clutter on our phones. Some of them hidden and deeper meanings. While you might be using a handful of apps daily, you might be surprised when you can't locate the icon of the app that you had installed earlier. That's what is happening to many Android phone owners who often talk about missing app icons. So we decided to take a closer look at that problem.
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There are two issues at hand, and I will address both. You can view the app in the app drawer, but it is missing on the home screen. The app icon is missing everywhere or shows a 'green Android' logo instead of the app logo.
Note: I am assuming you have already performed basic tests like rebooting your phone and updating/reinstalling the app in question.- One of the design features has been the removal of the apps button, giving you more space for your most used app icons. You can access all of your apps by swiping up on your home screen. If you would prefer, you can choose to add the apps button back onto your home screen. 1 Tap and hold any blank space.
- Search for App Store on Your Device. Sometimes, the App Store may have disappeared out of sight.
Let's begin.
1. Add to Home Screen
Advanced users can move on to the next point, but those who are new to Android or smartphone world should read it once. You may have deleted the app icon, and not the app itself, from the home screen.
Open the App Drawer and find the app that's missing and press and hold it until you see the home screen in the background. Move and release to create a new app icon on the home screen.
Speaking about the home screen, you could have moved the app to a folder and are simply looking at the wrong place. The same can be true for app drawer too.
Customize Your Android's Navigation Bar with This Cool App
Read More2. Hidden Apps
Did you or someone with access to your phone hide the app? Most launchers offer this feature to hide apps. The setting's location will differ based on the launcher app you are using, but usually, they are easy to find.
Tap and hold anywhere on the home screen to find launcher settings. Unhide the app and see if the app icon is visible now.
3. Disabled App
A bug or your kiddo might have accidentally disabled the app, which is why it is no longer active. It is not the same as uninstalling an app. It is there but just disabled and hence unusable, leading to the missing app icon issue.
Open Settings and under Manage app, search for the app whose icon is missing, and tap to open it. Do you notice an option to Start/Enable the app? It could be under the App Info menu, depending on the make and model of your phone. If yes, most probably, the app is disabled, and you need to re-enable it.
4. Icon Pack
One of the things that distinguish Android from iOS is customizations. One way to do that is by using an icon pack. What it does is changes the look of the selected app icon, making it unrecognizable, occasionally. Are you using one? It is also possible that an icon pack app was included when you installed some other launcher or theme app. That's another thing about Android.
Start for Android: A Cool Custom Lockscreen App for Android
Read More5. Launcher Problem
A launcher is how you access the app drawer, notifications, and other areas or aspects of the smartphone. We have covered some great Android launchers on GT. Your launcher may be acting up. A recent update could be responsible in which case, switch to default launcher and check if app icons are still missing.
Try resetting the launcher to see if bad data is responsible. Open Settings and go to Manage app or App list. You are looking for a third-party or default launcher here. Samsung calls it TouchWiz, for example. Open it, tap on Storage, and select Clear data.
You should also try clearing the cache and data of the launcher app itself. Go back to the previous screen and select Clear data at the bottom of the screen and tap on Clear all data.
I Lost My App Icon
On a related note, updating your launcher from the Play Store might also help.
6. App Data and Cache
You will be clearing the cache and data of the app whose icon is missing the same way you cleared data of the launcher app in the above point. Open Settings and find the 'missing icon' app under Manage app. Tap Clear data at the bottom of the screen and select Clear all data.
Found Missing
We don't pay enough attention to icons unless they go missing on our Android phones. After all, that's how we identify an app and open it. How do you interact with an app if you can't locate it? I hope the above points helped you restore missing app icons.
I Lost My App Store Icon On Ipad
If nothing else works, then I suggest you format your smartphone after taking a backup, but that's the last thing I'd suggest to anybody. As always, if you found another way to fix the issue, do share it with the rest of us in the comments below. It might help someone else.
Next up:Looking for a new launcher? Here is an in-depth comparison between Lean and Nova launchers. You will learn about their features and differences.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextLean Launcher vs Nova: Which Is a Better Android LauncherAlso See#apps #troubleshooting
Did You Know
Notion, the productivity app, was founded in 2013.
More in Android
Top 7 Fixes for Chat Bubbles in Android 11 Not Working
Oct 15,2020 • Filed to: Backup Android • Proven solutions
For many reasons, the installed app icons might be deleted or lost on your Android devices. If you have the app backup before, there is no need to worry, because you can use them to reinstall deleted apps or get you needed icons back on Android. If you don't have a backup, you may ask How to restore deleted icons on Android without installing them again? Obviously, it would become difficult if you don't have an app backup, but it doesn't mean there is no way to achieve it.
In this article, you'll learn 3 different ways to get deleted icons back to the Home screen or App launcher screen. Now, just go to the section or method you're interested in as follows: All methods below can be used to restore messaging icons or camera icons on Android.
Part 1: Icons Disappeared from Home Screen, How to Fix It?
The best place to start is the app drawer if the icons are missing on your home screen. The icons in the middle bottom of your home screen expose all the applications installed when you click on it. It's a six square-shaped icon that brings up all the applications for review and access.
The ways to put an application on the home screen are:
1. Locate the application you want to create a shortcut icon.
Press and hold the icon, and it would show your home screen where you can place it for quick access. You can swipe left or right to place it on other home screen pages to create a shortcut icon. This would be the best way to get the lost icons back without looking for any other troubleshooting tips.
2. One of the most common ways you can do is restart the device and try if it restores back the lost icons.
3. The other reason for disappearing icons could be the settings in applications.
You can check-in 'Settings > Applications > App info' and look for if the app is disabled. You can refresh it, and that way, it would bring the app to its default mode and the icons would appear again.
Part 2: Icons Disappeared from App Launcher?
Android users have been using various kinds of launchers for a better interface. There are many launchers available in the market apart from Google launcher. But is some cases, you have lost the basic application icons. A few simple steps would help you get back the lost icons on your launcher home screen.
Step 1 our launcher may have an option to hide the applications installed and that's why you cannot get the icons on the home screen. In such cases, you can bring up the app launcher and click on Menu and from there, you can unhide the applications. These options could vary according to the launcher you have installed.
Step 2 The easiest way to get the lost icon is to open the app drawer, hold and press the application icon and place it on the home screen wherever you need it. The pop up would always create a new menu on the home screen when you place the shortcut icons of your importance. You can drag the icons exactly where you need them.
Step 3 If the launcher is creating some kind of issue, then it might be a good idea to go for a new launcher. There are ample options you can choose from on Google Play Store, all the launchers available there comes with the best features. You can choose the best that fits your requirement. Get a good launcher of your choice and install it to get a customized home screen. You would get a different home screen other than the default one.
Step 4 You can also look in the launcher menu. If you have hidden some apps, then you can access the settings and enable or unhide those apps. This might be a reason behind the lost icons. You can check this out before proceeding ahead for something else. You would be able to access the applications again by applying this part. It might say Stop/Disable or Enable/ Start accordingly. You can choose and tap on the option you want to apply.
Step 5 In few cases, if you have permanently deleted the applications and there is no shortcut icon on the home screen. You can check for a backup at play store for your most popular applications. It might give you an option like Open or Update, depending on the scenario. This way you can reinstall the applications from the store with a few other apps available on the stock.
If anything doesn't work and you have lost the basic applications like camera, messaging, etc. then the factory reset is the option you can choose. However, before considering this option, it is advised that you follow the above steps. Possibly these steps would bring your lost icons for sure.
Part 3: How to Restore Deleted Icons from Backups?
Just like we mentioned at the beginning, if you have an app backup in advance, then you can easily find out how to restore deleted icons on Android from these backups. So, you'd better find a professional tool to help you back up Android apps and restore them whenever you need it. Here, we could like to strongly recommend dr.fone - Phone Backup (Android) for your reference.
dr.fone - Phone Backup (Android)
Best way to get back your deleted icons on Android
- Back up all the data on your device including music, photos, videos, apps, messages, call logs, contacts, SMSs and more.
- Restore the backup you have created. You can also restore data from an iCloud backup file or an iTunes backup file.
- You can use to selectively backup data on your device. This means that you can choose to back up one of the videos on your device instead of backing up all of them.
With it, you can easily backup Android apps or other types of data to the computer within a few clicks and restore your needed app icons or app data to Android without data losing. Now, let's check the detailed steps below:
Step 1: Download, install, and launch the program; it starts with the main window that has many options for your Android device. You need to choose Phone Backup and proceed further.
Step 2: Connect the Android device to the computer with a USB cable and click on OK to proceed ahead. It would ask you to permit USB debugging. If you have not enabled USB debugging, then you may enable, and the program would detect your device automatically. Now, click on Backup to take the data on the go.
Step 3: In case you have initiated data backup earlier, then the option View backup history would take you the earlier backup history already done. You can access the old files by clicking on it.
- One of the design features has been the removal of the apps button, giving you more space for your most used app icons. You can access all of your apps by swiping up on your home screen. If you would prefer, you can choose to add the apps button back onto your home screen. 1 Tap and hold any blank space.
- Search for App Store on Your Device. Sometimes, the App Store may have disappeared out of sight.
Let's begin.
1. Add to Home Screen
Advanced users can move on to the next point, but those who are new to Android or smartphone world should read it once. You may have deleted the app icon, and not the app itself, from the home screen.
Open the App Drawer and find the app that's missing and press and hold it until you see the home screen in the background. Move and release to create a new app icon on the home screen.
Speaking about the home screen, you could have moved the app to a folder and are simply looking at the wrong place. The same can be true for app drawer too.
Customize Your Android's Navigation Bar with This Cool App
Read More2. Hidden Apps
Did you or someone with access to your phone hide the app? Most launchers offer this feature to hide apps. The setting's location will differ based on the launcher app you are using, but usually, they are easy to find.
Tap and hold anywhere on the home screen to find launcher settings. Unhide the app and see if the app icon is visible now.
3. Disabled App
A bug or your kiddo might have accidentally disabled the app, which is why it is no longer active. It is not the same as uninstalling an app. It is there but just disabled and hence unusable, leading to the missing app icon issue.
Open Settings and under Manage app, search for the app whose icon is missing, and tap to open it. Do you notice an option to Start/Enable the app? It could be under the App Info menu, depending on the make and model of your phone. If yes, most probably, the app is disabled, and you need to re-enable it.
4. Icon Pack
One of the things that distinguish Android from iOS is customizations. One way to do that is by using an icon pack. What it does is changes the look of the selected app icon, making it unrecognizable, occasionally. Are you using one? It is also possible that an icon pack app was included when you installed some other launcher or theme app. That's another thing about Android.
Start for Android: A Cool Custom Lockscreen App for Android
Read More5. Launcher Problem
A launcher is how you access the app drawer, notifications, and other areas or aspects of the smartphone. We have covered some great Android launchers on GT. Your launcher may be acting up. A recent update could be responsible in which case, switch to default launcher and check if app icons are still missing.
Try resetting the launcher to see if bad data is responsible. Open Settings and go to Manage app or App list. You are looking for a third-party or default launcher here. Samsung calls it TouchWiz, for example. Open it, tap on Storage, and select Clear data.
You should also try clearing the cache and data of the launcher app itself. Go back to the previous screen and select Clear data at the bottom of the screen and tap on Clear all data.
I Lost My App Icon
On a related note, updating your launcher from the Play Store might also help.
6. App Data and Cache
You will be clearing the cache and data of the app whose icon is missing the same way you cleared data of the launcher app in the above point. Open Settings and find the 'missing icon' app under Manage app. Tap Clear data at the bottom of the screen and select Clear all data.
Found Missing
We don't pay enough attention to icons unless they go missing on our Android phones. After all, that's how we identify an app and open it. How do you interact with an app if you can't locate it? I hope the above points helped you restore missing app icons.
I Lost My App Store Icon On Ipad
If nothing else works, then I suggest you format your smartphone after taking a backup, but that's the last thing I'd suggest to anybody. As always, if you found another way to fix the issue, do share it with the rest of us in the comments below. It might help someone else.
Next up:Looking for a new launcher? Here is an in-depth comparison between Lean and Nova launchers. You will learn about their features and differences.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextLean Launcher vs Nova: Which Is a Better Android LauncherAlso See#apps #troubleshooting
Did You Know
Notion, the productivity app, was founded in 2013.
More in Android
Top 7 Fixes for Chat Bubbles in Android 11 Not Working
Oct 15,2020 • Filed to: Backup Android • Proven solutions
For many reasons, the installed app icons might be deleted or lost on your Android devices. If you have the app backup before, there is no need to worry, because you can use them to reinstall deleted apps or get you needed icons back on Android. If you don't have a backup, you may ask How to restore deleted icons on Android without installing them again? Obviously, it would become difficult if you don't have an app backup, but it doesn't mean there is no way to achieve it.
In this article, you'll learn 3 different ways to get deleted icons back to the Home screen or App launcher screen. Now, just go to the section or method you're interested in as follows: All methods below can be used to restore messaging icons or camera icons on Android.
Part 1: Icons Disappeared from Home Screen, How to Fix It?
The best place to start is the app drawer if the icons are missing on your home screen. The icons in the middle bottom of your home screen expose all the applications installed when you click on it. It's a six square-shaped icon that brings up all the applications for review and access.
The ways to put an application on the home screen are:
1. Locate the application you want to create a shortcut icon.
Press and hold the icon, and it would show your home screen where you can place it for quick access. You can swipe left or right to place it on other home screen pages to create a shortcut icon. This would be the best way to get the lost icons back without looking for any other troubleshooting tips.
2. One of the most common ways you can do is restart the device and try if it restores back the lost icons.
3. The other reason for disappearing icons could be the settings in applications.
You can check-in 'Settings > Applications > App info' and look for if the app is disabled. You can refresh it, and that way, it would bring the app to its default mode and the icons would appear again.
Part 2: Icons Disappeared from App Launcher?
Android users have been using various kinds of launchers for a better interface. There are many launchers available in the market apart from Google launcher. But is some cases, you have lost the basic application icons. A few simple steps would help you get back the lost icons on your launcher home screen.
Step 1 our launcher may have an option to hide the applications installed and that's why you cannot get the icons on the home screen. In such cases, you can bring up the app launcher and click on Menu and from there, you can unhide the applications. These options could vary according to the launcher you have installed.
Step 2 The easiest way to get the lost icon is to open the app drawer, hold and press the application icon and place it on the home screen wherever you need it. The pop up would always create a new menu on the home screen when you place the shortcut icons of your importance. You can drag the icons exactly where you need them.
Step 3 If the launcher is creating some kind of issue, then it might be a good idea to go for a new launcher. There are ample options you can choose from on Google Play Store, all the launchers available there comes with the best features. You can choose the best that fits your requirement. Get a good launcher of your choice and install it to get a customized home screen. You would get a different home screen other than the default one.
Step 4 You can also look in the launcher menu. If you have hidden some apps, then you can access the settings and enable or unhide those apps. This might be a reason behind the lost icons. You can check this out before proceeding ahead for something else. You would be able to access the applications again by applying this part. It might say Stop/Disable or Enable/ Start accordingly. You can choose and tap on the option you want to apply.
Step 5 In few cases, if you have permanently deleted the applications and there is no shortcut icon on the home screen. You can check for a backup at play store for your most popular applications. It might give you an option like Open or Update, depending on the scenario. This way you can reinstall the applications from the store with a few other apps available on the stock.
If anything doesn't work and you have lost the basic applications like camera, messaging, etc. then the factory reset is the option you can choose. However, before considering this option, it is advised that you follow the above steps. Possibly these steps would bring your lost icons for sure.
Part 3: How to Restore Deleted Icons from Backups?
Just like we mentioned at the beginning, if you have an app backup in advance, then you can easily find out how to restore deleted icons on Android from these backups. So, you'd better find a professional tool to help you back up Android apps and restore them whenever you need it. Here, we could like to strongly recommend dr.fone - Phone Backup (Android) for your reference.
dr.fone - Phone Backup (Android)
Best way to get back your deleted icons on Android
- Back up all the data on your device including music, photos, videos, apps, messages, call logs, contacts, SMSs and more.
- Restore the backup you have created. You can also restore data from an iCloud backup file or an iTunes backup file.
- You can use to selectively backup data on your device. This means that you can choose to back up one of the videos on your device instead of backing up all of them.
With it, you can easily backup Android apps or other types of data to the computer within a few clicks and restore your needed app icons or app data to Android without data losing. Now, let's check the detailed steps below:
Step 1: Download, install, and launch the program; it starts with the main window that has many options for your Android device. You need to choose Phone Backup and proceed further.
Step 2: Connect the Android device to the computer with a USB cable and click on OK to proceed ahead. It would ask you to permit USB debugging. If you have not enabled USB debugging, then you may enable, and the program would detect your device automatically. Now, click on Backup to take the data on the go.
Step 3: In case you have initiated data backup earlier, then the option View backup history would take you the earlier backup history already done. You can access the old files by clicking on it.
Step 4: Choose a backup file and click the 'View' button to check the detailed contents. Here, you can directly view the apps category and tick the apps that you wish to restore. Then hit the 'Restore' button ToS ave them on your Android device.
Final Thought
There are 3 ways to restore missing icons on Android, which one are you ready to try first? I hope all of you will find out the missing icons on Android after following the above solutions.
And in order to avoid this trouble happens again, you're strongly recommended to backup apps from Android to computer with dr.fone - Backup & Restore, so that you can easily restore your data to Android as you like. What's more, you'll never worry about other types of data lose issues on your device after owning this powerful software on your computer.