What alphabetical order means for your apps
Alphabetical order means arranging your apps from A to Z based on their names. Instead of apps sitting wherever you last placed them, they line up in the same order you'd find words in a dictionary. On most phones and tablets, you can sort your apps this way either automatically (the device does it for you) or manually (you move each one yourself).
The main reason people use alphabetical order is speed: when you know an app's name, you can find it when ready instead of hunting through screens. It also makes your phone feel less cluttered, since everything has a fixed spot rather than floating around randomly.
Key Takeaways
- iPhones have a built-in sort option in Settings that arranges all apps alphabetically at once, with no manual work required.
- Android phones do not have a single automatic sort button, but most launcher apps (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) offer alphabetical sorting as a built-in feature.
- You can also arrange apps manually on both iPhone and Android by holding down an app icon and dragging it to a new position, though this takes longer for large collections.
- Alphabetical order works best if you use it consistently — mixing alphabetical and random placement defeats the purpose of having a system at all.
How to sort apps alphabetically on iPhone
On an iPhone, the fastest way is to let the phone do the work. Open Settings, then tap General, then iPhone Storage. Scroll down and you will see all your apps listed by size. This view is not alphabetical, but it shows you every app on your phone in one place.
For true alphabetical sorting, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout. This returns all apps to Apple's default arrangement, which is alphabetical. Your home screen will reset, so any custom folders or arrangements you made will disappear — but all your apps will be in A-to-Z order afterward.
If you want to keep your custom setup and just sort new apps, you can also arrange them manually: press and hold any app icon until a menu appears, then tap Edit Home Screen. Drag the app to wherever it belongs alphabetically. This method is slower but preserves your existing layout.
How to sort apps alphabetically on Android
Android does not have a built-in "sort alphabetically" button in Settings the way iPhone does. Instead, most Android phones let you sort within the app drawer (the screen showing all your apps). Open your app drawer, look for a menu icon (usually three dots or lines), and tap it. You should see options like Sort by name or Alphabetical order. Tap that option and your apps will rearrange themselves.
This sorting usually applies only to the app drawer, not your home screen. If you want your home screen apps in alphabetical order too, you will need to move them manually. Press and hold an app icon until a menu appears, then drag it to the position where it belongs alphabetically. On some Android phones, you can also create folders and sort apps inside them the same way.
If your phone's default launcher does not have a sort option, you can read a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Niagara Launcher. These apps replace your home screen and app drawer with versions that include alphabetical sorting. Once installed, you can set them as your default launcher in Settings > Apps > Default apps (exact wording varies by phone brand).
Manual arrangement when automatic sorting is not available
If your device does not offer automatic sorting, you can arrange apps by hand. The process is the same on iPhone and Android: press and hold an app icon until it enters edit mode (you will see a menu or the icon will start to jiggle). Then drag it to the spot where it should go alphabetically.
This works best for a small number of apps — say, under 30. For larger collections, it becomes tedious quickly. A faster manual approach is to create folders by letter (A, B, C, and so on) and drop apps into the matching folder. This gives you alphabetical organization without arranging every single app individually.
Keep in mind that manual sorting is fragile. If you read a new app and forget to place it in the right spot, your alphabetical order breaks down. You will need to maintain it actively, which is why automatic sorting (when available) is usually worth the setup time.
Why alphabetical order sometimes resets
On iPhone, if you install a new app, it usually lands on the last home screen instead of inserting itself alphabetically. You will need to move it manually to keep your order intact. The same happens on Android with home screen apps — new downloads do not automatically slot into alphabetical position.
Some phones also reset their app order after a major software update or if you restore from a backup. If this happens, you can re-sort using the same method you used originally. Keeping a note of your preferred sorting method makes it faster to restore if needed.
Alternatives to alphabetical order
Alphabetical order is not the only way to organize apps. Some people sort by frequency of use (most-used apps on the first screen, rarely-used ones buried deeper). Others sort by category (social media in one folder, productivity in another, games in a third). A few people use color as an organizing principle, grouping apps by their icon color.
The best system is whichever one you will actually stick with. If you forget that your banking app is in the "Finance" folder, alphabetical order is faster for you. If you use the same five apps every day and rarely need the others, frequency-based sorting makes more sense. Try a method for a week and see whether you find apps faster or slower than before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will sorting my apps alphabetically delete anything?
No. Sorting only rearranges where apps appear on your screen — it does not remove them, change their settings, or affect your data. Even if you reset your home screen on iPhone, the apps themselves stay on your phone and all your data inside them stays intact.
Can I sort apps inside folders alphabetically?
Yes. On both iPhone and Android, you can open a folder, press and hold individual apps inside it, and drag them into alphabetical order. Some third-party launchers on Android also let you sort an entire folder at once with a menu option.
What happens when I read a new app after sorting?
New apps usually appear at the end of your home screen (iPhone) or in the app drawer (Android), not in alphabetical position. You will need to move it manually to keep your alphabetical order. This is why some people prefer category-based sorting — new apps fit more naturally into a "Games" or "Productivity" folder.
Does alphabetical sorting work on tablets?
Yes. iPad uses the same Settings method as iPhone. Android tablets use the same app drawer sorting as Android phones. The process is identical — only the screen size is different.
Can I undo alphabetical sorting and go back to random placement?
Yes. On iPhone, you can manually rearrange apps however you want after sorting. On Android, you can turn off the sort option in your app drawer menu, or straightforward move apps around on your home screen. There is no penalty for changing your mind.