Categories allows you to create folders on your desktop (SpringBoard). This allows you to organize your desktop rather than having it be a huge mess. The app comes with a GUI configurator so that you do not have to edit text files. When you add an app to a category, it is removed from the springboard list so that it no longer shows up on the main desktop. When you remove the app from the category it is returned back to the springboard.
Here is an example of a categories folder full of games:
Creating and Deleting Categories
To create a category
1) Tap "Manage Folders"
2) Tap "Edit"
3) Tap "Add"
4) Enter the folder name
5) The icon select screens pop up next. Select an icon family then an icon. Each set of icons are presented in folders. Addon packs will become available also.
6) If you wish to change the icon afterwards, tap the folder created to edit it and give it an icon. (Note: currently devices low on memory may have issues selecting icons. You may need to do this in mobile substrate safe mode).
To add applications to a category
1) Tap "Manage Folders"
2) Tap the folder to change
3) A list of applications shows up, select the one(s) you want.
To remove applications from a category
1) Tap "Manage Folders"
2) Tap the folder to change
3) Use the red delete button and delete each icon out of the folder
To delete folders
1) Tap "Manage Folders"
2) Tap "Edit"
3) Delete the folder using the red delete button. The applications inside the folder should be unhidden and returned to the springboard.
To uninstall categories
1) Delete all folders in categories app first.
2) Uninstall in Cydia.
To edit folder options:
1) Tap "Manage Folders".
2) Tap "Edit"
3) Tap the blue arrow on the right of the folder you wish to edit
4) Use the navigation bar at top to return to main menu when done.
5) Note: folder options are replaced by CategoriesSB options when CategoriesSB is installed.
To hide and unhide springboard icons:
1) Tap "Hide Icons".
2) Set the icons you want hidden to "OFF" and the ones you want visible to "ON".
3) Note: you cannot hide every icon or springboard will not load.
Folder Options
- Show Titlebar: Shows the title of the folder
- Show icon labels: Enable/disable text under each icon
- Background Image: Enable folder image (on) or use springboard background (off)
- Keep Resident: Have folder stay running once loaded to save time, but uses memory (not advisable unless on 3gs)
- Left/Right Scroll: Toggle between left/right or up/down scrolling of icons.
- Rows: Set the number of rows before moving to the next page.
- Font Color: tap to the right of the text to pick a text color for icon labels
- Icons Theme: Pick one of your winterboard themes here to theme the icons
- Note: CategoriesSB being installed changes folder options.