Moving an app on iPhone takes three taps and a drag
To move an app, press and hold it until a menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen." The app icons will start to jiggle. Drag the app you want to move to its new location, then press the home button or swipe up from the bottom to stop editing. The app stays in its new spot.
This works for any app on your home screen — the main page you see when you unlock your phone. You can move apps between pages, group them into folders, or arrange them however makes sense for how you use your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon until a menu appears, then select "Edit Home Screen" to enter move mode.
- While in edit mode, drag apps to new positions on the same page or to different pages by dragging toward the edge.
- You can create folders by dragging one app onto another, which groups related apps together.
- Press the home button or swipe up to exit edit mode and lock your changes in place.
Step-by-step: moving a single app
Open your home screen and find the app you want to move. Press and hold the app icon for about one second until a dark menu pops up with several options. Tap "Edit Home Screen" — this is usually at the bottom of the menu.
The app icons will begin to shake or jiggle slightly. This means you are in edit mode. Now tap and hold the app you want to move, then drag it to where you want it to go. You can move it left or right on the same page, or drag it to the very edge of the screen to move it to the next page. Release your finger when the app is in the right spot.
When you are done moving apps, press the home button at the bottom of your phone (or swipe up from the bottom on newer iPhones without a home button). The jiggling stops and your changes are saved.
Moving apps between pages
Your iPhone can hold multiple home screen pages. If you want to move an app to a different page, enter edit mode by pressing and holding the app and tapping "Edit Home Screen." Then drag the app toward the right or left edge of the screen. The screen will shift to show the next page, and you can drop the app there.
You can also see all your pages at once by pinching outward with two fingers while in edit mode. This shows a smaller view of every page. Drag the app to whichever page you want, then pinch inward to go back to normal view.
Creating folders to organize apps
If you have many apps and want to keep them organized, you can put related apps into folders. Enter edit mode by pressing and holding an app and tapping "Edit Home Screen." Then drag one app directly onto another app. The two apps will combine into a folder with a name like "Productivity" or "Games."
You can add more apps to the folder by dragging them onto it while still in edit mode. To name the folder yourself, tap on the folder name at the top of the folder window and type a new name. When you are done, press the home button to save.
Moving apps from the App Library
Newer iPhones have an App Library — a separate screen that automatically organizes all your apps into categories. You can move apps from the App Library to your home screen. Swipe to the App Library (the last screen to the right), find the app you want, press and hold it, and tap "Add to Home Screen."
You can also remove apps from your home screen without deleting them. Press and hold the app, tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen." The app stays on your phone and appears in the App Library, but no longer takes up space on your home screen.
Undoing a move if you make a mistake
If you move an app and then change your mind, you can undo the change. While still in edit mode (before you press the home button), press and hold the app again and look for an "Undo" option, or straightforward drag it back to where it was. Once you press the home button, the change is locked in.
If you have already exited edit mode and want to move the app back, just repeat the process: press and hold, tap "Edit Home Screen," and drag it to the original location.
Why you might want to rearrange your apps
Moving apps helps you work faster. Putting the apps you use most often on the first page means fewer swipes to reach them. Grouping similar apps into folders — like all your banking apps together, or all your social media apps — makes your home screen less cluttered and easier to scan.
Some people arrange apps by color or by how often they use them. Others keep their most-used apps in the bottom row where they are easiest to reach with one hand. There is no right way — arrange your home screen in whatever way makes your phone easiest for you to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move the built-in apps like Settings or Phone?
Yes. All apps, including the ones that come with your iPhone, can be moved or put into folders. The only app you cannot move is the home screen indicator dots at the very bottom of the screen.
What happens to an app's notifications if I move it?
Moving an app does not change how it works or where it sends notifications. If an app sends you alerts, it will keep doing that no matter where the icon sits on your home screen.
Can I move multiple apps at once?
No, you move one app at a time. However, you can move apps quickly by staying in edit mode — just drag one app, release it, then when ready drag another without pressing the home button in between.
What is the difference between moving an app and deleting it?
Moving an app changes where its icon appears on your screen, but the app stays on your phone and works normally. Deleting an app removes it completely. To delete, press and hold the app in edit mode and tap "Remove App," then choose "Delete App."
Do I need to restart my iPhone after moving apps?
No. Changes to your home screen take effect when ready when you press the home button. Your iPhone does not need to restart.