Getting rid of the app drawer on your Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge is totally doable, and it’s a neat trick if you prefer a simpler home screen experience. Basically, you are going to switch your phone’s home screen layout from the standard “TouchWiz Home” setup to “Easy Mode”. This built-in feature simplifies your interface by making app icons larger and, most importantly for you, removing the dedicated app drawer button. It’s like giving your phone a minimalist makeover, putting all your essential apps right on the home screen where you can see and access them without an extra tap. This change won’t delete any of your apps, just reorganizes how you see them.
Tutorial – How to Disable App Drawer on Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge
So, you’re ready to declutter your phone’s home screen and say goodbye to the app drawer on your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a streamlined interface in no time. This process will guide you through activating a built-in feature that changes your phone’s entire look and feel, making everything more accessible directly from your main screens.
Step 1: Open your phone’s Settings app.
You can find the Settings app by swiping down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel, then tapping the gear icon in the top right corner. Alternatively, look for the ‘Settings’ icon, usually a gear or cogwheel, in your app drawer or on one of your home screens. This is your command center for everything on your phone, so it’s always the first stop for any major changes.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap on “Easy mode”.
Once you are in the main Settings menu, you will need to scroll through the various options until you spot “Easy mode”. It’s typically located under the “Personalization” or “Display” sections, depending on your specific software version. This option will allow you to transform your phone’s user interface into a more straightforward, app-drawer-free design.
Step 3: Select “Easy mode” from the options.
After tapping on “Easy mode”, you will likely see two choices: “Standard mode” and “Easy mode.” Your phone is currently running in “Standard mode,” the default setting in the app drawer. To remove the app drawer, tap the radio button next to “Easy mode” to select it. This selection tells your phone to switch to the simplified interface.
Step 4: Tap the “DONE” or “APPLY” button at the top right of the screen.
Once you have “Easy mode” highlighted, look for a confirmation button, usually labeled “DONE” or “APPLY,” in the upper right corner of your screen. Tapping this button will initiate the change and apply the new settings to your phone. It’s like pressing a save button after making changes to a document, ensuring your choice takes effect immediately.
After you tap “DONE” or “APPLY”, your phone’s screen will briefly flash or reload. You will then be taken back to your home screen, which will look quite different. The app drawer button will be gone, and all your essential apps will be laid out directly on your home pages, usually with larger icons for easier visibility.
Tips for Disabling App Drawer on Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 edge
- Explore Easy Mode’s limitations: While Easy Mode removes the app drawer, it also simplifies other aspects of your phone. You might notice fewer widgets, larger text, and a generally more basic interface. Make sure this level of simplicity works for you.
- Consider third-party launchers: If Easy Mode is too restrictive, but you still want to ditch the app drawer, a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher can give you more control. These apps let you customize almost everything, including removing the app drawer, without sacrificing advanced features.
- Remember how to revert: If you decide you miss the app drawer or the standard interface, you can always go back. Just repeat the steps above, but in Step 3 select “Standard mode” instead of “Easy mode,” then tap “DONE” or “APPLY.”
- Organize your home screens: Since all your apps will now be on them, take some time to organize them into folders. This keeps your home screen tidy and helps you find apps quickly without endless swiping.
- Understand what the app drawer is: For those new to Android, the app drawer is essentially a list of every app installed on your phone. Disabling it doesn’t delete your apps, it just means you access them directly from your home screens or by searching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my app drawer back after disabling it?
Absolutely, you can! Reverting to the standard mode is very straightforward. Simply go back into your Settings, find “Easy mode” again, and then choose “Standard mode” and tap “APPLY.” Your phone will switch back to its original interface, complete with the app drawer.
Does disabling the app drawer delete any of my apps?
No, not at all. Disabling the app drawer is purely a visual and navigational change. All your installed applications remain on your phone. You simply access them differently, either directly from your home screens in Easy Mode or through the search function.
Is “Easy mode” the only way to disable the app drawer on the S7 or S7 edge?
For a built-in Samsung solution, yes, Easy Mode is the primary method to achieve this. However, as mentioned in the tips, you can also install a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store. These launchers offer extensive customization options, including the ability to remove the app drawer while keeping a more advanced interface than Easy Mode.
What is a “launcher” and how does it relate to the app drawer?
A launcher is the part of your phone’s software that controls the home screen, app drawer, and how you interact with your apps. Think of it as the graphical shell of your Android phone. When you switch to Easy Mode, you’re essentially activating a simpler, built-in launcher. Third-party launchers are alternative apps you can install to completely change this shell to your liking.
Will disabling the app drawer slow down my phone or drain the battery more?
Generally, no. Switching to Easy Mode might even slightly improve performance because it uses a simpler interface with fewer animations and features. It’s unlikely to have a noticeable impact on your battery life either way, as it’s more about how your phone displays information rather than processing power.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Tap Easy mode.
- Select Easy mode.
- Tap DONE/APPLY.
Conclusion
Taking charge of your phone’s interface, such as disabling the app drawer on your Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, is a fantastic way to personalize your device and make it truly work for you. For many, the traditional app drawer, while useful for keeping things organized, can feel like an extra step that isn’t always necessary. By switching to Easy Mode, you’re not just hiding a button, you’re embracing a more direct, perhaps less cluttered, way of interacting with your daily digital companion. It’s all about making your technology serve you better, adapting to your preferences rather than the other way around.
Think of it like deciding whether you want to keep all your books neatly tucked away on shelves in a separate room, or if you’d prefer your most-read titles right on your coffee table for quick access. Neither approach is inherently better; it simply comes down to what makes the most sense for your lifestyle. If you find yourself frequently searching for apps or wishing they were just immediately visible, then this change is definitely worth exploring. And remember, if you ever feel like you’ve made a wrong turn, your phone offers a straightforward path back to the standard layout. The beauty of Android is its flexibility, giving you the power to fine-tune your experience until it feels just right. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these settings, because at the end of the day, your phone should feel like an extension of you, intuitive and efficient in every tap and swipe.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.