The fastest way to create a folder
On iPhone, you create a folder by dragging one app on top of another app on your home screen. When you drop the second app, iOS automatically creates a folder and puts both apps inside it. The folder gets a default name based on the category it thinks the apps belong to — for example, if you drag Mail onto Reminders, it might suggest "Productivity" — but you can change that name to anything you want.
This works on any home screen page, and you can create as many folders as you need. The folder appears right where you dropped the app, and you can move it around afterward just like you move any other app.
Key Takeaways
- Drag one app directly on top of another app to create a folder; iOS creates it automatically and suggests a category name.
- Tap the folder name at the top to rename it to something that makes sense for your own system.
- You can fit up to nine apps on the first page of a folder, and additional pages hold more apps if you keep adding them.
- Move a folder around your home screen by pressing and holding it, then dragging it to a new location.
- Remove an app from a folder by opening the folder, pressing and holding the app, and dragging it back to your home screen.
Step-by-step: creating your first folder
Press and hold any app on your home screen until a menu appears with options at the bottom. Tap "Edit Home Screen" — this puts your phone into edit mode, where all the apps show small minus signs in the corner.
Now drag one app directly on top of another app. Hold it there for a moment. The second app will shift aside, and a folder will appear with both apps inside. iOS will suggest a category name at the top of the folder — "Productivity," "Utilities," "Games," or something similar.
If you want to change the folder name, tap the text field at the top of the folder and type a new name. You can use any name you want: "Bills," "Health," "Social," "Work," or anything else that matches how you think about your apps. When you are done typing, tap outside the folder or press the back arrow to close it.
Press the home button or swipe up from the bottom to exit edit mode. Your new folder is now on your home screen.
Adding more apps to an existing folder
Once you have created a folder, you can add more apps to it. Press and hold your home screen again to enter edit mode. Drag any app on top of the folder you want to add it to. The folder will open slightly to show you the apps inside, and you can drop the new app into it.
You can fit nine apps on the first page of a folder. If you add a tenth app, iOS automatically creates a second page inside the folder. You can keep adding apps across multiple pages — there is no hard limit, though folders with dozens of apps become harder to search through.
Renaming a folder after you create it
To change a folder name later, press and hold your home screen to enter edit mode. Tap the folder to open it. Tap the name field at the top — it will highlight and become editable. Delete the old name and type a new one.
The name field accepts up to 30 characters, so you have room for descriptive names. "Medical Records," "Car Maintenance," and "Tax Documents" are all clear enough that you will remember what is inside without opening the folder.
Moving folders around your home screen
In edit mode, press and hold a folder and drag it to a new location on your home screen or to a different page. You can move it to the very top, to the bottom, or anywhere in between. If you drag it to the right edge of the screen, your phone will automatically scroll to the next page so you can place the folder there.
You can also move folders to your dock — the row of apps at the very bottom of your screen that stays visible on every page. Drag a folder down to the dock, and it will stay there for quick access.
Removing apps from folders
To take an app out of a folder, enter edit mode and open the folder by tapping it. Press and hold the app you want to remove. Drag it out of the folder and onto your home screen. When you release it, the app will stay on your home screen and no longer be in the folder.
If you remove all the apps from a folder, the folder disappears automatically. iOS does not keep empty folders.
Using folders with the App Library
iPhone also has a feature called the App Library, which appears as a separate page to the right of your home screen pages. The App Library automatically sorts all your apps into categories like "Productivity," "Health," "Entertainment," and "Games." You do not create these categories yourself — iOS manages them.
You can use the App Library as a backup place to find apps you do not use every day, while keeping your home screen folders organized with just the apps you use regularly. Some people hide entire home screen pages and rely on the App Library and search to find less-used apps, which keeps their home screen cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a folder inside a folder?
No. iPhone does not support nested folders — you cannot put a folder inside another folder. You can only have folders on your home screen, each containing individual apps. If you need to organize a large number of apps, use multiple folders with clear names instead.
What happens if I delete an app that is in a folder?
The app is removed from the folder, and the folder stays. If the folder had only two apps and you delete one, the remaining app stays in the folder. You can remove that last app and the folder will disappear, or leave it there if you plan to add other apps later.
Can I see how many apps are in a folder without opening it?
Not directly. The folder icon shows a preview of the apps inside — usually a grid of four app icons — but there is no number displayed. You have to open the folder to count the apps or see the full list.
Do folders take up more storage space than loose apps?
No. Folders are just a way to organize how apps appear on your home screen. They do not change how much storage the apps use or how much space is available on your phone. Moving an app into a folder does not free up any storage.
Can I create a folder on my lock screen?
No. Folders only work on your home screen pages. Your lock screen can show widgets and shortcuts, but not folders. If you want quick access to an app, add it to your home screen or your dock instead.