Sorting Samsung S4 downloaded apps or moving downloaded apps to main section

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timmmay

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#165582 14-Feb-2015 08:23

The Samsung S4 (and probably the others) have two areas in their apps menu - regular, and downloaded. Things seem to get assigned to the different areas semi randomly - I think anything you install interactively goes into downloaded, but if you reinstall on a new phone anything on your google account goes into the main area. Why they've separated them I have no idea, but anyway.

The main apps area can have the apps sorted by name. The downloaded area apps can't be sorted. I'm looking for a way to either:
- Sort the downloaded apps
- Move the apps from the downloaded area to the main area

My Google-Fu has failed me on this one.

nzgeek

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#1237760 14-Feb-2015 09:02

I don't know if there's much you can do to customize the Samsung default launcher. It might be easier to load something custom.

I've been using Apex Launcher fit several years now, and have paid for the pro version. One of the features is that you can define custom area in your app drawer, and can assign apps any way you see fit. For example, I've got one area for productivity and system apps, another just for games, and one for all apps. I have to manually assign apps into the productivity and games areas, which means I can easily choose to hide apps that I don't want to see.

timmmay

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#1237761 14-Feb-2015 09:04

My phone is rooted and I have a custom firmware, but it's basically Touchwiz with a few tweaks. Does Apex work ok with Touchwiz? I like Touchwiz generally.

If the "main" apps were in a different directory to downloaded apps I could potentially just move them.

Stu

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#1237797 14-Feb-2015 10:33

I've never used the TouchWiz launcher on my Samsung phones. Really not fond of it. Installing my launcher of choice is always the first task done when setting up a new phone. Currently (and for a couple of years I guess) using Action Launcher Pro 2, and before that Nova Prime (which is a very close second place).

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Dairyxox

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#1238824 14-Feb-2015 11:59

I've used apex on TouchWiz and it seemed OK. Didn't like it much because there were too many options and things to customize. Just want something to work, not have to spent hours pouring through settings etc..

timmmay

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#1238896 14-Feb-2015 14:33

I've loaded Nova launcher, as reviews said it was super fast and stable. So far so good, better than Touchwiz but still lets me use the handy WiFi toggles and such :)

jeffnz

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#1238897 14-Feb-2015 14:42

timmmay: I've loaded Nova launcher, as reviews said it was super fast and stable. So far so good, better than Touchwiz but still lets me use the handy WiFi toggles and such :)

I've been using Nova for a long time and used to it now and its easy to get your screens setup when you flash a new Rom. Although I don't use TW I don't like flashing AOSP as I lose a lot of functionality that keeping a TW custom rom gives.

I couldn't say Nova is better as that is totally subjective but once you delve into it there is a lot of functions available.

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Stu

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#1238924 14-Feb-2015 15:02

Absolutely agree. Nova is a brilliant launcher. Action Launcher 2 Pro has a couple of features I really like, otherwise I'd still be using Nova!

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jeffnz

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#1238926 14-Feb-2015 15:12

BigHammer: Absolutely agree. Nova is a brilliant launcher. Action Launcher 2 Pro has a couple of features I really like, otherwise I'd still be using Nova!

I had a brief look after I saw you mention it in another thread, what functions in particular Stu, I think I'm just a creature of habit and a bit lazy in looking at new stuff sometimes. I think the last app that I really like is Pushbullet but mostly I stick to the same old same old

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#1238936 14-Feb-2015 16:04

Primarily Quickpage, and the way you can use folders and icons (with features called Covers and Shutters). I have one panel for the desktop, and that only has a clock on it. I have 3 icons on the dock at the bottom, only they're not just icons, they're folders accessed by swiping the icon up. Just hitting the icon opens the expected app in the usual way. Quick page is a panel you reach by swiping from the right, which is like another desktop panel/page but once you open an app from icons/widgets on that page, it closes, so you're straight back to the main panel with the clock once you've closed your app. Doesn't sound like much trying to describe it I guess, but it's actually pretty cool and really easy to navigate without being untidy.

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