• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Moto G Phone Guide

  • Home
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Forum
  • User Manuals
    • Moto G8 User Manual for Moto G8 Plus and Moto G8 Play
    • Official Moto G7 user manual
    • Official Moto G6 user manuals, Moto G6 Play user manuals and Moto G6 Plus user manuals
    • Official Moto G5 User Manual and Moto G5 Plus User Manual
    • Moto G4 User Manual: official PDF user guide for Moto G4, Moto G4 Plus and Moto G4 Play
    • Moto G 2015 user guide
    • Moto G 2nd Gen User Manual (Moto G 2014 User Manual)
    • Moto G Manual (Mot G user guide)
  • how-to guide
    • Moto G8 vs Moto G8 Power vs Moto G8 Power Lite vs Moto G Power vs Moto G Stylus vs Moto G Pro vs Moto G fast: What are the differences?
    • Moto G8 Plus vs Moto G8 Play: Differences and common features
    • Moto G5 vs Moto G5 plus: the major differences between Moto G5 and Moto G5 plus
    • How to install Moto G5 SIM card?
    • Moto G5 Plus SIM card guide
    • How to take screenshot on Moto G (without using apps)
    • How to use Moto G camera and change camera settings?
    • How to access developer options menu in Moto G?
    • How to use FM radio on Moto G?
    • Moto G wireless display: the problem and the solution
    • Meaning of Moto G notification icons
    • How to use Moto G voice command?
    • How to use Motorola Assist on Moto G?
    • How to Silence Moto G Notifications and Ringtones
    • How to use dual SIM cards on Moto G?
    • How to connect Moto G with PC through USB cable? (for Moto E and Moto X as well)
    • How to use Bluetooth to transfer files on Moto G, Moto E and Moto X?
    • How to use Wi-Fi Direct to transfer files on Moto G, Moto E and Moto X?
    • How to block certain callers on Moto G, Moto E and Moto X?
    • How to use Moto G safe mode (applies to Moto X and Moto E safe mode as well )?
    • Moto G USB OTG guide (also for Moto X)
  • Online Manual
    • Moto G layout
    • How to remove Moto G back cover?
    • Moto G Home screen
    • Insert SIM card into Moto G and Moto E
    • How to add apps to Moto G home screen (for Moto E and Moto X as well)
    • Add new home screen pages on Moto G, Moto E and Moto X
    • Use widgets on Moto G home screen (for Moto X and Moto E as well)
    • How to update Moto G, Moto E and Moto X?
    • Moto G 2015 camera guide
    • Top 10 new features in Android Nougat update for Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus
    • What’s new in Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus?
  • Accessory Guide
    • Moto G case guide

How to add apps to Moto G home screen (for Moto E and Moto X as well)

Because Moto G, Moto G 2nd Gen (Moto G 2014), Moto E, Moto E 2nd Gen (Moto E 2015), Moto X, and Moto X 2nd Gen (Moto X 2014) all use the same Google Now launcher after Android Lollipop, the procedures to add apps to Moto G home screen and remove apps from Moto G home screen are identical for all these devices.

So, this guide applies to Moto G (all models), Moto E (all models) and Moto X (all models), although Moto G is used in the text.

Why add apps to Moto G home screen?

As explained in this page, the home screen is the default screen after unlocking your Moto G.

The home screen is also one of the most accessible screens on any Android devices.  You can access Moto G home screen at any time by tapping the on-screen Home button (see Moto G layout page for the location of on-screen buttons).

So, by adding apps to Moto G home screen, you can save considerable time to launch the app without navigating to the app drawer (all apps).

In addition, Moto G home screen supports app folders, although app drawer (Apps page) in Google Now launcher does not have this feature yet.

You can organize apps with different App folders on Moto G home screen. Please check this step-by-step guide on how to create app folders on Moto G home screen.

Once your apps are well organized through app folders in the Moto G home screen, you can locate the app very quickly in the home screen. While in the apps page (app drawer), apps can only be sorted in alphabet order. You cannot organize them based on functions, publishers or features.

Essentially, you can use your Moto G more efficiently after you add apps to Moto G home screen.

How to add apps to Moto G home screen?

Please note, when you add apps to Moto G home screen, the apps are NOT moved or affected. You simply add a shortcut of the app to Moto G home screen.

So, it is possible to add several shortcuts of the same app to Moto G home screen. For example, you may add Play music in Google app folder, and the Music folder.

To add apps to Moto G home screen, please follow these steps.

Step 1:  Access Apps screen (app drawer)

In Moto G home screen, tap All Apps icon (6 dots in a white circle) as shown below.

This will open the Moto G app drawer (apps page), as shown below.

add_apps_to_moto_g_home_screen_moto_e_moto_x_1_all_apps add_apps_to_moto_g_home_screen_moto_e_moto_x_2_find_app

Step 2: Find the app in apps screen

In Moto G app drawer, you can navigate through different pages by flicking left or right.

You can also use the navigation dots in the bottom (as shown above) to navigate through different pages to find the app you want to add to Moto G home screen.

For example, you want to add Motorola Assist app to Moto G home screen.

Step 3: Tap and hold the app

In the app drawer, tap and hold (i.e., not releasing your fingers from the screen) Assist as shown above.

Now, without releasing your fingers from the screen, you are brought to the home screen, as shown below.

add_apps_to_moto_g_home_screen_moto_e_moto_x_3_drop_appadd_apps_to_moto_g_home_screen_moto_e_moto_x_4_app_added

Step 4: Drop the app in the desired location on the home screen

Now, you can drop Motorola Assist app into any shaded location (as shown above) by releasing your finger from the screen.

The shaded area, as shown above, indicates the relative location for this new app. You can add the app to any existing Moto G home screen pages, or a new home screen page.

After releasing your finger, the Moto G home screen will turn to normal with a new app on the location you choose, as shown above.

This is the normal procedure to add apps to the Moto G home screen.

How to move and remove apps from the Moto G home screen?

As mentioned, the apps in the Moto G home screen are actually shortcuts of the corresponding app. When you remove apps from Moto G home screen, only the shortcuts are removed. The apps are NOT affected (uninstalled).

To remove apps from Moto G home screen, please follow these steps.

Step 1: Tap and hold the app.

For example, you want to remove the Motorola Assist app just added from Moto G home screen, tap and hold the Assist as shown above.

Step 2. Move the app upwards to Remove button

Without releasing your finger from the screen, you can now move the app to any location in the home screen. You can even move it other home screen pages.

To remove apps from Moto G home screen, you need to move the app upwards to the Remove button as shown below.

Step 3: Drop the app to Remove button

Now, release your finger from the screen when the app is close to remove button as shown below.

The Motorola Assist app now is removed from the Moto G home screen, as shown below.

add_apps_to_moto_g_home_screen_moto_e_moto_x_5_app_delete add_apps_to_moto_g_home_screen_moto_e_moto_x_6_app_remove

To move an app in the Moto G home screen to a new location, you can follow a similar procedure.

You just drop the app to the desired location, instead of the remove button.

Can you add apps to Moto G home screen (add apps to Moto E home screen and Moto X home screen as well)?

If you have problems or questions on how to add apps to Moto G home screen and how to remove apps from Moto G home screen, please let us know them in the comment box below.

The community will try to help you.

For more Moto G online manual pages, please check this page.

For detailed step-by-step guides, please check Moto G How-to guides page.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rose Barranco says

    April 9, 2017 at 4:02 am

    There is a big padlock on the home screen and a time and date set to display. I already remove the screen lock to none and also set the correct time and date and time zone but still the big padlock display is there. What should I do?

    Reply
    • simon says

      April 9, 2017 at 1:32 pm

      What padlock? Did you install any lock screen app?

      Anyway, you can take a screenshot and share it ion our Facebook page so that others can what you are referring to.


      NEW!! Facebook page || Moto G How-to guides || Moto G online manual || Official Moto G user manual (PDF) || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S9 Guides || Google Home Guides || Galaxy S10 Guides .|| Samsung Galaxy S20 Guides.

      Reply
  2. Serge Petelin says

    April 5, 2017 at 4:25 am

    Mine is a Moto G4+. I’d like it to choose PTP protocol bt default when it boots. Failing thst, how do I create a widget for “Select USB configuration” which is bizarrly buried deep in Developer Options.

    Reply
    • simon says

      April 5, 2017 at 5:40 am

      USB option is always reset to charging only after a reboot since Marshmallow. Settings in developer options will not change this. This is part of Android security as I know.

      You need to unlock the phone and set it from the notification panel of you want to change USB options.


      NEW!! Facebook page || Moto G How-to guides || Moto G online manual || Official Moto G user manual (PDF) || Android Guides || Chromecast Guides || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S9 Guides || Google Home Guides || Galaxy S10 Guides .|| Samsung Galaxy S20 Guides.

      Reply
  3. MSVCP140 says

    February 1, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    🙂 OK !

    Reply

Leave your comments Cancel reply

Be the first one to get the update, tips and tricks on Moto G? Get our free Newsletter Today!

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Moto G Update Newsletter

RSS Moto X Guide

  • Official Moto X4 User manual (User guide for Moto X 4th Gen , Moto X 2017)
  • What’s new in Android Marshmallow update for Moto X (Moto X 2015, Moto X 2014, Moto X Style and Moto X Pure edition)?
  • Top 5 new features in Moto X 2015 (Moto X Style, Moto X Pure edition and Moto X Play) vs Moto X 2014

RSS Headphone Guides

  • Samsung Galaxy Buds Live vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs Apple AirPods Pro
  • A Complete Guide for Jabra Elite Sport
  • 5 best new features and improvements of Galaxy Buds Plus (Galaxy Buds+ vs Galaxy Buds)
  • Top 10 new features of AirPods Pro (vs AirPods 2)
  • How to use Samsung Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+?
  • What is active noise canceling (ANC)? How active noise-cancelling headphone works?
  • What are the differences among in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones?
  • Wireless Earbuds Guides

RSS Galaxy Note Tips & Tricks

  • Top 11 disappointments of Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
  • How to use the Dynamic Lock screen on Galaxy Note 10?
  • Galaxy Note 10 LED View Cover Guide and Review
  • Install S Note app and Extension pack on Galaxy Note 10
  • How to Use Galaxy Note 10 Camera App?
  • Galaxy Note 10 SIM Card Guide
  • How to use Samsung DeX for PC with Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+?
  • How to use Galaxy Note 10 Clear View cover (S View cover)?

RSS Kindle Fire For Kids

  • The ultimate guide of USB-C fast charging on Fire HD 10 2019, Fire HD 8 2020, and Fire HD 8 Plus
  • Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) vs Fire HD 8 2020 (10th Gen) vs Fire HD 8 2018 (8th Gen)
  • How to use the micro SD card on Fire HD 10 2019 (9th Gen), Fire HD 8 (8th and 10th Gen) and Fire 7 (9th Gen)?

RSS Chromecast Guide

  • Chromecast 4th Gen (Chromecast with Google TV) is coming!
  • About AllAboutChromecast.com
  • Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: advantages and disadvantages of Chromecast Audio
  • How to use the new Chromecast app?
  • How to stream photos and videos on OneDrive to Chromecast?
  • Screen mirroring with Chromecast

RSS Galaxy S5 Guide

  • How to use volume button to take photos in Galaxy S5?
  • How to use Galaxy S5 camera voice control?
  • How to customize Galaxy S5 camera shortcuts menu?

RSS Moto E Guide

  • How to use Moto E6 camera?
  • How to use SIM cards on Moto E6, E6 Plus, E6 Play, and E6s 2020?
  • How to remove Moto E6 back cover (including Moto E6, Moto E6 Plus, Moto E6 Play)?
  • Official user manual for Moto E6, Moto E6 Plus, Moto E6 Play, and Moto E6s

RSS Drive in Singapore

  • Top 5 rules of driving in Singapore safely and legally during COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period
  • Understand COE Price by 10 Simple Questions
  • How to convert a foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license?
  • How to get a Touch ‘n Go card as a Singapore driver?
  • What is covered in the car warranty in Singapore? What is not?
  • What is the Singapore Road Speed Limit?
  • How to register, collect and use Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)?
  • Why are cars in Singapore are so expensive?
  • Drive to Malaysia
  • Car Maintenance and Servicing in Singapore

© 2013–2021 · Moto G Guides: Everything about Moto G: how-to guide, user manuals, tips and tricks for Motorola/Lenovo Moto G, Moto G2, Moto G3, Moto G4, Moto G5, Moto G6, Moto G7, and Moto G8 · Hosted by PTRHosting · Powered by Genesis framework for WordPress

Disclaimer: Motorola, Moto G are trademarks of Motorola Mobility. This website is NOT affiliated with Motorola Mobility LLC in any way. All the information provided on this website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and you agree that you use such information entirely at your own risk.