Moving apps on your iPhone is done by long-pressing an app icon until a menu appears, then dragging it to a new spot
The simplest way to move an app is to press and hold its icon for about a second until the screen darkens slightly and a menu pops up. From that menu, tap "Move App" — the icon will then stick to your finger and you can drag it anywhere on your home screen or to a different page. Release your finger to drop it in place. This works for any app on your home screen.
If you want to move multiple apps at once, or if you prefer a different method, you can enter edit mode by long-pressing any empty space on your home screen (not an app icon). The screen will shake slightly and all app icons will show a small minus sign in the corner. In this mode, you can drag apps around freely without the menu appearing. Tap "Done" in the top right when you finish.
Key Takeaways
- Long-press an app icon and select "Move App" to drag it to a new location on your home screen or to another page.
- Enter edit mode by long-pressing empty space on your home screen, then drag multiple apps without menus appearing each time.
- You can move apps between pages by dragging them to the edge of the screen until the next page slides into view.
- Apps in the App Library (the last page) cannot be moved, but you can remove them from your home screen entirely.
Moving apps between pages
Your iPhone home screen has multiple pages if you have more than about 20 apps. To move an app from one page to another, long-press it and select "Move App," then drag it toward the right or left edge of the screen. The next page will slide into view automatically, and you can drop the app there.
If you are in edit mode (the screen is shaking), the same method works — just drag the app to the edge and wait for the page to slide. This is faster if you are moving several apps at once, because you do not have to tap "Move App" each time.
Organizing apps into folders
To group related apps together and save home screen space, you can create a folder by dragging one app onto another. Long-press an app, select "Move App," and drag it directly on top of a different app. Both apps will automatically go into a new folder, and iOS will suggest a category name based on what the apps do.
You can rename the folder by tapping it to open it, then long-pressing the folder name at the top and typing a new name. To add more apps to the folder, drag them onto it from your home screen. To remove an app from a folder, open the folder, long-press the app, select "Move App," and drag it back to your home screen.
Removing apps from your home screen without deleting them
If you want an app off your home screen but do not want to delete it from your phone, long-press the app and select "Remove App." A menu will appear with two choices: "Remove from Home Screen" keeps the app on your phone but hides it from view, and "Remove App" deletes it entirely. Choose the first option to keep the app in your App Library (the last page, labeled "App Library") where you can still find it by searching.
This is useful for apps you rarely use but might need later. You can always add them back to your home screen by opening the App Library, finding the app, long-pressing it, and selecting "Add to Home Screen."
Using the App Library to find apps you have hidden
The App Library is the last page on your iPhone, and it automatically sorts all your apps into categories like Productivity, Social, Games, and Utilities. If you have removed apps from your home screen, they live here. Swipe all the way to the right to reach it, or swipe left from your home screen and keep going.
You can search for a specific app by swiping down from the middle of any home screen page to open the search box, then typing the app name. This is faster than scrolling through the App Library if you know what you are looking for. Apps in the App Library cannot be rearranged — they sort themselves automatically by category.
Resetting your home screen to the default layout
If you have moved apps around and want to start over, you can reset your home screen to Apple's default layout. Go to Settings, tap General, scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset, then tap Reset, and choose "Reset Home Screen Layout." This will move all your apps back to their original positions and remove any folders you created. Your apps will not be deleted — they will just be rearranged.
This action cannot be undone, so only do this if you are certain you want to start fresh. All your apps will still be on your phone and in your App Library afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move apps to a specific spot, or do they just fill in gaps?
Apps fill in gaps from left to right and top to bottom on each page. You cannot leave empty spaces in the middle of your home screen — if you drag an app away, others shift to fill the gap. You can create empty space at the end of a page by moving apps to the next page.
What if an app keeps moving back to where it was?
This usually means you did not fully release your finger when dragging. Try again, making sure to hold your finger still for a moment after you drop the app. If it keeps happening, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on, then try moving the app again.
Can I move the apps in my dock at the bottom of the screen?
Yes. Long-press any app in the dock and select "Move App," then drag it to your home screen. To add an app to the dock, drag it from your home screen down to the dock area at the bottom. The dock holds up to four apps on most iPhones.
Do I lose my apps if I reset my home screen layout?
No. Resetting only rearranges your apps back to their original positions. All your apps stay on your phone and in your App Library. Nothing is deleted.