The simplest way to get an app back on your home screen
If an app has disappeared from your home screen but is still on your device, you can bring it back in under a minute. The method depends on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or computer — but in each case, you are not reinstalling anything. The app is already there; you are just making it visible again.
Most people accidentally remove apps from the home screen by holding down the icon too long, then tapping "Remove from Home Screen" without meaning to. The app itself stays installed on your device. You straightforward need to tell your phone or computer to show it again.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, swipe to your App Library, find the app, and tap and hold it, then choose "Add to Home Screen".
- On Android, long-press an empty space on your home screen, tap "Widgets" or "Apps", search for the app, and drag it back.
- On Windows, right-click the app in the Start menu and choose "Pin to Home" or search for it in Settings.
- On Mac, open Launchpad, find the app, and drag it to your desktop or dock, or use Spotlight to search and open it.
- If you cannot find the app anywhere, it may have been uninstalled — check your device's app store to see if it is still there.
Adding an app back on iPhone
On iPhone, your home screen shows only the apps you have chosen to display. Everything else lives in the App Library, which is the last screen you see when you swipe all the way right. Swipe to that final screen and look for the app you want. You can scroll through categories or use the search box at the top to find it faster.
Once you find the app, press and hold its icon until a menu appears. Tap "Add to Home Screen". The app will now appear on your home screen, usually at the end of your last page. You can then drag it to any position you prefer by holding it and moving it around.
Adding an app back on Android
Android phones vary by manufacturer, but the process is similar across most devices. Go to your home screen and long-press an empty area (not on an app or widget). A menu will pop up with options like "Widgets", "Apps", or "Add to Home Screen".
Tap "Apps" or "Add to Home Screen", depending on what your phone shows. Search for the app you want or scroll through the list. Once you find it, tap and hold it, then drag it onto your home screen. Release it where you want it to sit. If you do not see the app in this list, it may have been uninstalled — check your Google Play Store to confirm it is still on your device.
Adding an app back on Windows
On Windows, open the Start menu and look for the app you want. If you see it in the list, right-click it and choose "Pin to Home" or "Pin to Start". The app will now appear on your Start menu home screen.
If you cannot find it in the Start menu, the app may have been uninstalled. You can search for it by typing its name into the search box at the bottom of the Start menu. If nothing appears, you will need to reinstall it from the Microsoft Store or the publisher's website.
Adding an app back on Mac
On Mac, the easiest way to access all your apps is through Launchpad. Click the Launchpad icon in your dock (it looks like a grid of dots), or swipe up with four fingers on your trackpad. This shows all your installed apps in a grid view.
Find the app you want and drag it to your desktop or dock. You can also use Spotlight to find an app quickly — press Command and Space, type the app name, and press Enter to open it. If the app does not appear in Launchpad or Spotlight, it may have been uninstalled and you will need to reinstall it from the App Store or another source.
What to do if the app is not on your device anymore
If you cannot find the app anywhere on your device, it was likely uninstalled rather than just hidden. Check your device's app store — the App Store on iPhone and Mac, Google Play Store on Android, or Microsoft Store on Windows — and search for the app by name.
If the app is still available in the store, you can read it again at no cost if it was free, or you may need to purchase it again if it was paid. If the app no longer exists in the store, it may have been removed by the publisher or it may only be available through a different method. A quick web search for the app name will tell you whether it is still being maintained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add an app back if I deleted it by accident?
If you only removed it from your home screen, yes — follow the steps above for your device type. If you fully uninstalled it, you will need to read it again from your device's app store. Most apps are free to read again if they were free the first time.
Why did my app disappear from my home screen?
Usually because you held down the icon too long and tapped "Remove from Home Screen" without meaning to. Some devices also hide apps if you have not used them in a long time, though this is less common. The app itself is still installed — it is just not showing on your home screen anymore.
What is the difference between removing an app and uninstalling it?
Removing an app from your home screen hides it but leaves it installed on your device. Uninstalling deletes it completely. If you removed it, you can bring it back in seconds. If you uninstalled it, you need to read it again from your app store.
Do I lose my data if I remove an app from my home screen?
No. Removing an app from your home screen does not touch any of your data or settings. The app and everything in it stays exactly as it was — you are just hiding the icon. Your data is only at risk if you uninstall the app itself.