With years of using Android devices, I've seen how quickly the home screen turns into chaos. You download apps impulsively, try a few, and forget about others buried in your app drawer months later. As someone who's managed multiple Android phones professionally, I've refined a system to keep things tidy and efficient.

In just minutes, you can transform a cluttered interface into a streamlined setup. Drawing from hands-on experience on devices like the Pixel 3 XL running Android 9 Pie (note: interfaces vary by model and OS version), here are proven steps to organize apps and purge the unused ones.

Get Organized

The app drawer is your starting point—swipe up from the bottom or tap the apps icon. It's alphabetically sorted, with recent apps at the top. Swipe down from the sides to jump letters, or use the search bar. For daily efficiency, build a structured home screen.

Fill the Favorites Tray

Pin your top apps to the persistent bottom favorites tray for one-tap access across screens. To swap them out:

• Long-press an unwanted app in the tray, drag to Remove or Uninstall at the top.
• Drag a favorite from the app drawer or home screen into the tray.

Create Folders on Your Home Screen

Folders group related apps logically—like "Listen" for music/podcasts or "Social" for networks. Here's how:

• Place two apps on the home screen.
• Long-press one and drag over the other to form a folder.
• Tap the folder, edit the name below the icons.
• Add apps by dragging them in; remove by dragging out.

Get Rid of Unused Apps

Unused apps hog storage, collect data, and drain battery. Regularly audit them—I've reclaimed gigabytes this way.

Use the App Drawer

Open it, scroll, and uninstall forgotten apps by long-pressing and selecting Uninstall.

Visit the Play Store

Go to My apps & games > Installed. Sort by last used (no date means over 3 months). Use Library to reinstall if needed.

• Menu (three lines) > My apps & games.
• Installed tab > sort by last used.
• Library for previously installed apps.

Use Your Voice

Google Assistant shines hands-free: Long-press home button, say "Open [AppName]".

Try Files by Google

This free tool excels at cleanup. Install if needed:

• Tap Clean.
• Find Unused apps, sort by last used.
• Select and uninstall.

Use Another App

Alternatives like ES File Explorer or launchers (Nova, Action Launcher) offer advanced organization—sidebars, custom layouts, and more. We'll review top ones soon.

Vox Media has affiliate partnerships, which do not influence editorial content. Vox Media may earn commissions from affiliate links. See our ethics policy.