The LG G5 had a huge, controversial missing feature. Now it’s back

By Andy Boxall May 4, 2016

Andy Boxall/DigitalTrends.com

The LG G5 has Android 6.0 Marshmallow installed, but controversially, LG’s own user interface placed over the top of the operating system didn’t include the familiar app drawer. The feature, where a convenient list of all installed apps could be found, is used on the vast majority of Android smartphones, and familiar to many seasoned owners. Although there was a way around it, its removal caused annoyance.

Now, through a software update on its way out to G5s all over the world, the app drawer is back, proving LG listens to its customers. It’s a small update to the Home screen settings page, and found through the G5’s app update system. Rather than permanently add the app drawer, it’s available as a third option, giving you the chance to set the G5 up exactly how you want it.

Here’s how it works. To make sure the update has been applied, go to Settings, General, About Phone, and Update Center. Here, tap App Updates and download any that are waiting. The one you’re looking out for is called Home and App Drawer, and it’s about 18MB in size. Once this is done, exit and go to Settings, Display, and Home screen. Now, choose Home and App Drawer, and tick the Use As Default App box if you want to stick with the change permanently. You’ll be asked to select which Home screen option again, out of Home, EasyHome, and Home & App Drawer.

That’s it. Return to the home screen and the app drawer will have made its triumphant return. Why did LG follow companies like Huawei and ZTE in relegating the app drawer to the trash? There are rumors Google will do the same with the next version of Android, and it was preparing us all for the change over. We may learn more about whether this will happen or not during Google I/O, the developer conference set for May 18.

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Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

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