You can move several apps together by holding one app, then tapping others to add them to your selection

The fastest way to reorganize your home screen is to select multiple apps at once, then drag them all to a new location or folder. On any iPhone running iOS 13 or later, press and hold one app until a menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen." While still holding that first app, tap each additional app you want to move — a checkmark appears on each one you select. Once you have chosen all the apps you need, drag the whole group to where you want them.

This method saves time when you are rearranging a category of apps — say, moving all your fitness apps to one screen, or grouping your banking and finance tools together. You can move the selected apps into an existing folder, create a new folder for them, or spread them across different screens in one action.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold any app, tap "Edit Home Screen," then tap additional apps to select multiple ones at once.
  • A checkmark appears on each selected app so you can see exactly which ones you have chosen before you move them.
  • Drag the entire group to a new location, into a folder, or across multiple screens without deselecting.
  • You can move apps to your home screen, to any secondary screen, or into a folder you create on the fly.
  • If you make a mistake, tap the app again to deselect it before you finish dragging.

How to select multiple apps in Edit Home Screen mode

Start by pressing and holding any app on your home screen until a menu pops up with options like "Edit Home Screen," "Remove App," and "Share." Tap "Edit Home Screen" — your screen will shift into edit mode, and the apps will start to jiggle slightly. The app you held is now selected.

Without lifting your finger off that first app, tap each additional app you want to move. Each one you tap will show a small checkmark in the corner. You can select as many apps as you need — there is no limit. If you tap an app by mistake, tap it again to remove the checkmark and deselect it.

Once all your apps are marked, you are ready to move them. Keep holding the first app and drag the entire group to your destination. The other selected apps will follow along.

Moving your selected apps to a new location

After you have selected your apps, hold down on the first one and drag the group toward the edge of your screen. If you are moving them to a different home screen, drag toward the right or left edge — your phone will automatically scroll to the next screen as you approach it. Keep dragging until you reach the screen where you want the apps to land, then release.

All your selected apps will appear on that new screen in roughly the same arrangement they had before. If you want them in a specific order, you can rearrange them individually after you finish the bulk move — just stay in edit mode and drag each one to its exact spot.

Creating a new folder for multiple apps at once

To put all your selected apps into a single folder, drag the group onto another app that is already on your home screen. Your phone will automatically create a folder and place all the selected apps inside it. The folder will be named based on the category of apps — for example, if you move several health apps together, the folder might be called "Health."

You can rename the folder right away by tapping on its name while still in edit mode. Type a new name that makes sense to you, like "Fitness" or "Money," then tap outside the text box to save it. If you want to move the folder itself to a different screen, you can do that too — just drag it the same way you would drag individual apps.

Moving apps into an existing folder

If you already have a folder on your home screen and want to add your selected apps to it, drag the group directly onto that folder. The folder will open briefly to show you the apps inside, then close again once the new apps are added. All your selected apps are now part of that folder.

This is useful when you are consolidating — for example, if you have a "Utilities" folder and you want to move several tool apps into it from different screens. Drag them all at once instead of moving them one by one.

Exiting edit mode and seeing your changes

Once you have finished moving your apps, press the back arrow in the top left corner of your screen, or straightforward tap anywhere outside the app grid. Your home screen will return to normal, the jiggling will stop, and your apps will be in their new locations. The changes take effect when ready — you do not need to restart your phone or confirm anything.

If you realize you made a mistake after exiting edit mode, you can always go back in and move the apps again. There is no limit to how many times you can reorganize your home screen.

What happens if you run out of space on a screen

Each home screen can hold a maximum of 20 apps (in a 4-by-5 grid on most iPhones). If you try to drag multiple apps onto a screen that is already full, your phone will automatically create a new screen to the right and place the overflow apps there. You do not have to do anything — the phone handles it for you.

If you want to prevent apps from spreading across too many screens, consider putting related apps into folders first. A folder can hold dozens of apps but only takes up one space on your home screen, which keeps your layout cleaner and easier to navigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move apps to my lock screen instead of my home screen?

On iPhone 16 and newer models running iOS 18 or later, you can add app icons and widgets to your lock screen. The process is different from home screen organization — you tap and hold your lock screen, tap "Customize," then add individual apps. You cannot move multiple apps to the lock screen at once the way you can on the home screen.

What if I accidentally move an app to the wrong place?

Stay in edit mode and drag it again to the correct location. You can move the same app as many times as you need without leaving edit mode. If you have already exited edit mode, just press and hold the app again and repeat the process.

Do I lose any data when I move apps around?

No. Moving apps only changes where they appear on your screen. All your data, settings, and login information stay exactly the same. The app itself is not affected at all.

Can I move apps between folders while in edit mode?

You can move apps into a folder, but moving apps from one folder to another requires opening the folder first. Select the apps inside the folder, drag them out to the home screen, then move them into a different folder if you want.