What "home screen" means and why you might want to change it
Your home screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your device or unlock it. On a phone, it is the grid of app icons and widgets you tap to open things. On a computer, it is the desktop — the background image and any icons or folders sitting on it. Changing your home screen means rearranging what is there, swapping the background image, or moving apps to different spots so they are easier to find.
Most people change their home screen because they want their most-used apps in reach, or because they want a different look. Some people organize by category — all social apps in one corner, all work apps in another. Others just want a cleaner visual space. The steps differ depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, long-press an app icon to move it, or use the App Library to hide apps you do not use often.
- On Android phones, long-press an app icon and drag it to a new position, or use your phone's settings to change the home screen layout.
- On Windows computers, right-click the desktop to change the background, and drag icons to new positions.
- On Macs, click the desktop, then use System Settings to change the wallpaper and organize the Dock at the bottom of the screen.
- You can change your home screen as many times as you want — there is no limit and no cost.
Rearranging apps on an iPhone
To move an app on an iPhone, press and hold the app icon until a menu appears. Tap "Edit Home Screen" from that menu. The icons will start to jiggle, showing they are ready to move. Drag any icon to a new spot on the same screen, or drag it to the edge of the screen to move it to a different page. When you are done, press the home button or swipe up from the bottom to lock the changes in place.
If you want to hide apps you rarely use, long-press an app icon and tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen." The app stays on your phone and in the App Library — a folder that holds all your apps — but it will not clutter your home screen. You can bring it back anytime by searching for it or finding it in the App Library.
To change the background image on an iPhone, open Settings, tap "Wallpaper," then tap "Add New Wallpaper." You can choose from Apple's built-in images, photos from your camera roll, or a solid color. Select the image, choose where it should appear (lock screen, home screen, or both), and tap "Set."
Rearranging apps on an Android phone
On most Android phones, long-press an app icon until it is highlighted. Keep holding and drag it to a new position on the home screen. Release your finger to drop it there. If you want to move an app to a different page, drag it to the edge of the screen and hold it there — the screen will scroll to the next page, and you can drop it there.
Some Android phones have a drawer or app menu separate from the home screen. If yours does, you can long-press an app in the drawer and select "Add to Home Screen" to put it on your main screen. To remove an app from the home screen without deleting it, long-press it and tap "Remove from Home Screen."
To change the background on an Android phone, long-press an empty area of the home screen. A menu will appear with options for "Wallpaper," "Widgets," or "Settings." Tap "Wallpaper," choose a source (built-in images, your photos, or a color), and tap "Set Wallpaper." You can usually choose whether to explore it to the home screen, lock screen, or both.
Changing the desktop on a Windows computer
On Windows, your desktop is the background you see when no windows are open. To change the background image, right-click on an empty area of the desktop. A menu will appear. Click "Personalize" or "Customize." This opens the Settings app to the Personalization section. Click "Background" and choose a new image from the options, or click "Browse" to use a photo from your computer.
To move desktop icons (like folders or shortcuts), click and drag them to a new spot. You can organize them into groups — for example, all work files in the top left, all personal files in the top right. If you want to hide desktop icons entirely, right-click the desktop, hover over "View," and uncheck "Show desktop icons."
You can also add a taskbar shortcut to apps you use often. Right-click an app in the Start menu and select "Pin to taskbar." The app icon will appear at the bottom of the screen for quick access. This is faster than searching for the app each time.
Changing the desktop on a Mac
On a Mac, click the desktop to make sure it is active, then go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click "Wallpaper" or "Desktop & Screen Saver." Choose a new wallpaper from the library, or click "Add" to use one of your own photos. The change takes effect right away.
To organize your Mac desktop, drag files and folders to new positions. You can create folders by right-clicking an empty area and selecting "New Folder," then dragging related items into it. Many Mac users prefer to keep the desktop clean and store files in the Finder instead, but it is entirely up to you.
The Dock — the row of icons at the bottom of your screen — is your main way to launch apps on a Mac. To add an app to the Dock, drag it from the Applications folder or from Finder and drop it on the Dock. To remove an app, right-click it in the Dock and select "Remove from Dock." You can also rearrange Dock icons by dragging them left or right.
Organizing with folders and widgets
On both iPhones and Android phones, you can create folders to group related apps. On an iPhone, drag one app icon onto another to create a folder. The phone will suggest a category name, but you can change it. Keep dragging apps into the folder to add more. On Android, the process varies by phone, but usually you long-press an app, select "Create Folder," and drag other apps into it.
Widgets are small app windows that show information without opening the full app — like a weather widget showing the current temperature, or a calendar widget showing today's date. On iPhones, long-press the home screen, tap the plus button, choose an app, and select a widget size. On Android, long-press an empty area of the home screen, tap "Widgets," and drag a widget to your screen. Widgets take up space but can save you time by showing information at a glance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo changes if I mess up my home screen?
Yes. On iPhones and Android phones, you can move apps back to where they were by dragging them again. There is no "undo" button, but you can rearrange as many times as you want. On computers, right-click the desktop and look for a "Reset" or "Restore Default Icons" option if available, or straightforward drag icons back to their original positions.
Will changing my home screen affect my files or data?
No. Rearranging apps, moving icons, or changing the background does not touch any of your files, photos, messages, or data. You are only changing how things look and where they sit on the screen. The apps themselves and everything inside them stay exactly the same.
Can I have different home screens on different pages?
Yes. On iPhones and Android phones, you can swipe left or right to see multiple pages of apps, and each page can have a different layout. You can also set different wallpapers for your lock screen and home screen on iPhones. On computers, you have one desktop, but you can use virtual desktops (Spaces on Mac, virtual desktops on Windows) to create separate workspaces.
What is the difference between moving an app and deleting it?
Moving an app just changes where it appears on your screen — the app stays on your device. Deleting an app removes it entirely from your phone or computer. If you want to keep an app but do not want to see it, move it to a folder or a different page instead of deleting it.
Do I need to restart my device after changing the home screen?
No. Changes to your home screen, background, or app layout take effect right away. You do not need to restart your phone or computer. If something does not look right, try closing and reopening the Settings app, but a restart is rarely necessary.