The Utilities folder is a built-in collection on your iPhone that holds apps Apple considers tools rather than entertainment
Your iPhone does not have a single folder called "Utilities" that you navigate to like a computer folder. Instead, Utilities is a category that Apple created to organize certain built-in apps — things like Calculator, Compass, Flashlight, Voice Memos, and Stocks. These apps live on your home screen or in the App Library, the same place where all your other apps are stored.
The confusion usually comes from older iPhones or from seeing "Utilities" mentioned in Apple's own documentation. On modern iPhones, you will not find a folder with that exact name. What you will find is the App Library, which automatically sorts your apps into categories, and Utilities is one of those categories.
Key Takeaways
- Utilities is a category in your App Library, not a physical folder you can open on your home screen.
- You can find utility apps like Calculator and Voice Memos by swiping to your App Library and scrolling to the Utilities section.
- You can also create your own folder on your home screen and name it "Utilities" if you want to group these apps together yourself.
- Individual utility apps can be pinned to your home screen so you do not have to search for them each time.
How to find utility apps in your App Library
Open your iPhone and swipe all the way to the right past your home screen pages. This takes you to the App Library, which shows all your apps organized by category. Scroll down until you see the Utilities section — it usually appears near the bottom, after categories like Productivity and Health.
Tap the Utilities section and you will see all the utility apps on your phone. These typically include Calculator, Compass, Flashlight, Magnifier, Measure, Notes, Phone, Reminders, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Weather. The exact list depends on your iPhone model and iOS version, since Apple adds or removes apps occasionally.
If you want faster access to a utility app, tap and hold it, then choose "Add to Home Screen." This places the app directly on one of your home screen pages so you can open it without going through the App Library.
Creating your own Utilities folder on the home screen
If you want a folder literally named "Utilities" on your home screen, you can make one yourself. Open your home screen, tap and hold an empty area, then tap the plus button in the top left corner. Tap "Create Folder," name it "Utilities," and tap "Done."
Now you can drag utility apps into this folder. Tap and hold an app like Calculator, drag it onto your new Utilities folder, and release. Repeat for any other apps you want grouped together. This is purely for your own organization — it does not change how iOS works, but it keeps your home screen less cluttered.
The difference between the App Library and home screen folders
The App Library is automatic and built into iOS. Apple decides which apps go in which category, and you cannot change that. It is designed to keep your home screen clean by hiding apps you do not use often while still making them straightforward to find.
A folder you create on your home screen is manual — you choose which apps go in it and what you name it. This folder only holds the apps you put in it and appears as an icon on your home screen. Both approaches work; the App Library is faster if you just want to browse, while a home screen folder is faster if you use the same apps every day.
Why Apple calls certain apps "utilities"
Apple groups apps into categories based on what they do. Utilities are tools that help you accomplish a task — measuring something, recording audio, calculating numbers, checking the weather. They are not games, social apps, or entertainment. This categorization helps you find what you need without scrolling through hundreds of apps.
The Utilities category exists on every iPhone, but you only see it if you open the App Library. If you have never swiped to the App Library before, that is why you could not find it — it is not a visible folder unless you navigate there.
Pinning utility apps to your dock
Your iPhone dock is the row of apps at the very bottom of your screen. You can pin up to four apps there (or six on iPad). If you use a utility app constantly — like Calculator or Voice Memos — you can add it to your dock for one-tap access from any home screen.
To add an app to your dock, tap and hold it, select "Add to Dock," and release. The app will appear in the dock when ready. You can rearrange dock apps by dragging them left or right. This is often faster than creating a folder if you only have one or two utility apps you use regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete utility apps from my iPhone?
Most built-in utility apps cannot be deleted, but you can hide them by removing them from your home screen and dock. They will still appear in the App Library. A few utility apps like Stocks and Voice Memos can be deleted if you go to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage, find the app, and tap "Offload App" or "Delete App."
Why do I not see a Utilities folder on my home screen?
The Utilities category only exists in the App Library, not on your home screen by default. You have to swipe to the App Library to see it. If you want a Utilities folder on your home screen, you have to create one yourself and add apps to it manually.
Are utility apps the same on every iPhone?
Most utility apps are the same across iPhones, but newer models sometimes have additional tools. For example, the iPhone 12 and later have a Lidar Scanner app that older models do not. Your specific list depends on your iPhone model and which iOS version you are running.
Can I move the Utilities category in my App Library?
No. The App Library categories are fixed by Apple and appear in the same order on every iPhone. You cannot rearrange them or hide the Utilities section. You can only choose which apps appear in your home screen folders.