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Fix App Icons Missing from App Launcher on the Galaxy S9

Fix App Icons Missing from App Launcher on the Galaxy S9

September 19, 2018 by Mitch Bartlett 11 Comments

Many Samsung Galaxy S9 users are experiencing a problem with their phones where icons are missing from the App Launcher. A quick look at the Google Play Store or Application Manager will show that their apps are installed, but they have no way to launch them as the icons are gone.

Note: This tutorial assumes you are sure the app is actually installed on the device.


Fix 1 – Search

  1. Bring up the app slider by swiping upward on the Home screen.
  2. Use the “Search phone” option at the top to search for the name of the app.
  3. If the search brings up your app, tap and hold the icon, then choose “Locate app“.
  4. If your app appears in a list with where it is checked, that means the app is hidden. Uncheck it to unhide the app. Otherwise, tap and hold the icon to move it where you like.

Fix 2 – Check Hidden Apps

  1. Bring up the app slider by swiping upward on the Home screen.
  2. Select the three dots icon located at the upper-right corner, then choose “Home screen settings“.
  3. Scroll down and select “Hide apps“.
  4. Ensure the app you are looking for is not checked in this list. Uncheck it to restore it to the app launcher.

Fix 3 – Ensure App is not Disabled

  1. Navigate to “Settings” > “Apps“.
  2. Toggle the drop-down menu at the upper-left corner to show “Disabled” apps.
  3. If the app is listed, select it, then tap the “Enable” button.

Fix 4 – Reset Settings

Note: These steps will clear any customization or settings you have made to the device.

  1. Navigate to “Settings” > “General Management” > “Reset“.
  2. Select “Reset settings“.

Fix 5 – Reset Home Screen App

Note: These steps will reset the home screen to default settings. You will have to re-arrange the icons back the way you want them after these steps.

  1. From the Home screen, select “Apps“, then open “Settings“.
  2. Select “Applications” > “Application manager“.
  3. Select the Menu icon located at the upper-right corner, then choose “Show system apps“.
  4. Scroll down and select Home.
  5. Select “Storage” .
  6. Tap the “Clear data” button.

Now if you tap the App Launcher, all of your apps should now appear.

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Filed Under: Android Tagged With: Galaxy S9

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eric Jacobsen says

    July 15, 2022 at 10:33 am

    Phone took upgrade, dumped all apps somewhere, have very little setting options like what are listed here for the fix, all I have is answer the phone and text all other icons gone ..

  2. Rebecca Kent Masters says

    March 4, 2022 at 2:14 pm

    Nope. Camera icon vanished. Have swiped, checked folder. Only way to get it is to go to setting then apps then camera THEN I CAN FINALLY take a picture. Just want to click the damn icon

  3. Poppa Mintin says

    May 30, 2021 at 5:57 am

    Thanks Al
    Al says : April 4, 2020 at 12:09 am

    That’s worded for me too.

    Poppa.

  4. Poppa Mintin says

    May 30, 2021 at 5:47 am

    None of this has helped.
    I have an app which I can find in the list (Settings > Apps) The app isn’t in any of the three home pages, nor in the three Apps menus.
    None of the advice has made the app (My Files) available without going through the ‘Settings > Apps’ route.

    Poppa.

  5. Susan C Foster says

    March 6, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    Anyone have another solution? The above did not work for me. Games are missing sinless update.

  6. Al says

    April 4, 2020 at 12:09 am

    I found that by changing one step in Fix 2 I was able to restore my app to the app launcher. Here are the steps that worked for me:

    Fix 2 – Check Hidden Apps
    Bring up the app slider by swiping upward on the Home screen.
    Select the three dots icon located at the upper-right corner, then choose “Home screen settings“.
    Scroll down and select “Hide apps“.

    Here’s the change ->

    Find the app. CHECK the app. (This means Hide the App). Press Save. Then UNCHECK the app ( This means unhide the app) and Press Save.
    This restored the app to the launcher for me. These steps seem to overcome a glitch in the app launcher, re-initializing the launcher’s setting, and allowing the app to be seen again.

  7. Kuhle says

    June 12, 2019 at 11:27 am

    My home screen is blank

  8. WallopingFern12 says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    There is in the app drawer labeled Video

  9. Donna says

    December 16, 2018 at 11:30 pm

    My videos are all still missing and I tried everything above. They’re all still on my old iphone but there is no app for Videos on the SamsungS9.

  10. Chariot Agapelian says

    November 9, 2018 at 4:05 am

    it hasnt worked for me,my videos are still no where to be found

  11. Nasser Kukkady says

    September 23, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    This was the only solution that worked for me after seeing the various suggestions on the internet. Thanks for your help!

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Who’s Behind Technipages?

Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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