The Utilities folder is in your App Library, not on your home screen
Apple does not put a folder called "Utilities" on your iPhone's home screen by default. Instead, Utilities is a category inside the App Library — a separate view that organizes all your apps by type. To reach it, swipe left past your last home screen, or swipe up from the bottom of your screen and tap "App Library" at the top right. Then scroll down until you see the Utilities section.
The Utilities folder contains system tools that come built into iOS or that you have downloaded yourself. These are apps designed to help you do specific tasks — measure distances, check your flashlight, use a level, or manage your passwords. Apple groups them together to keep your home screens less cluttered.
If you use an app from the Utilities category often, you can move it to your home screen. Press and hold the app icon, tap "Add to Home Screen," and choose which screen you want it on. That way you do not have to open the App Library every time you need it.
Key Takeaways
- The Utilities folder lives in your App Library, which you reach by swiping left past your last home screen or swiping up from the bottom and tapping "App Library."
- Utilities contains built-in tools like Flashlight, Measure, Level, and Stocks, plus any utility apps you have downloaded.
- You can move any app from Utilities to your home screen by pressing and holding it, then tapping "Add to Home Screen."
- The App Library organizes all your apps by category so your home screens stay organized and less crowded.
What apps are usually in the Utilities folder
Apple includes several built-in utility apps on every iPhone. The Flashlight turns your camera flash into a light source. The Measure app uses your camera to estimate distances and dimensions. The Level app tells you whether a surface is flat or tilted. The Stocks app tracks share prices and market data.
You will also find Reminders, Notes, Voice Memos, and Calculator in Utilities on some iOS versions, though Apple sometimes moves these to other categories. Any third-party utility apps you read — password managers, unit converters, timers, or note-taking tools — will also land in this folder unless you move them elsewhere.
The exact apps in Utilities can shift between iOS versions. If you cannot find an app you remember, search for it by name using Spotlight: swipe down from the top of your home screen and type the app name.
How to search for a specific utility app instead
If you know the name of the app you want but do not want to dig through the App Library, Spotlight search is faster. Swipe down from the top of your home screen (or swipe down anywhere on your lock screen) and type the app name. iOS will show you the app when ready, and you can tap it to open it.
This works whether the app is in Utilities, on a home screen, or anywhere else on your phone. You do not need to know which folder it is in — just type what you remember about it. If you search for "flashlight," "measure," or "level," the built-in apps will appear right away.
Moving apps out of Utilities to your home screen
Press and hold any app icon in the Utilities folder. A menu will appear with several options. Tap "Add to Home Screen" and choose which screen you want it on. The app will now appear on that screen in addition to staying in the Utilities folder.
If you want to remove it from Utilities entirely and keep it only on your home screen, that is not possible — apps stay in their category in the App Library no matter where else you place them. But having it on your home screen means you can open it without opening the App Library first.
Creating your own folders on your home screen
You can also create custom folders on your home screen and drag utility apps into them. Press and hold an app, tap "Add to Home Screen," place it on your screen, then drag another app on top of it. iOS will create a folder automatically. You can name the folder whatever you want — "Tools," "Measurements," or anything else that makes sense to you.
Custom folders on your home screen are separate from the App Library categories. You control what goes in them, and they stay exactly where you put them. This is useful if you have a few utility apps you use every day and want them grouped together and straightforward to reach.
Why Apple organizes apps this way
The App Library was introduced in iOS 14 to reduce clutter on home screens. Instead of having dozens of app icons spread across multiple screens, you can keep your home screens minimal and let the App Library organize everything by category in the background. This works especially well for apps you use occasionally — like Measure or Level — that you do not need to see every day.
You can customize how much of your home screen you use. Some people keep just one screen with their most-used apps and rely on the App Library for everything else. Others keep multiple screens and use the App Library as a backup. The choice is yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete apps from the Utilities folder?
You can delete third-party utility apps you downloaded, but you cannot delete Apple's built-in utilities like Flashlight, Measure, or Calculator. If you delete a built-in app by mistake, you can reinstall it free from the App Store by searching for its name.
Why can't I find an app I thought was in Utilities?
Apple moves apps between categories sometimes, especially after iOS updates. Use Spotlight search instead: swipe down from the top and type the app name. If the app is on your phone, it will appear when ready, regardless of which folder it is in.
Is the App Library the same as a folder?
No. The App Library is a separate view that organizes all your apps automatically by type. Folders are containers you create on your home screen and fill manually. You can have both — folders on your home screen and the App Library as a backup.
Can I hide the Utilities category from my App Library?
No, you cannot hide built-in categories in the App Library. But you can hide entire home screens if you want to simplify your phone. Go to Settings, tap Home Screen, and toggle off any screens you do not use.