Utilities is a folder that holds apps Apple doesn't put on your home screen by default
On iPhone 11, Utilities is a built-in folder that contains useful but less frequently used apps. It lives in your App Library — the screen that shows all your apps organized by category. You won't see it on your home screen unless you put it there yourself. The folder typically holds apps like Calculator, Compass, Magnifier, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Weather.
Apple created the App Library to reduce clutter on your home screen. Instead of seeing dozens of app icons, you get organized categories. Utilities is one of those categories, and it's where Apple groups tools that solve specific problems rather than apps you use every day.
Key Takeaways
- Utilities is a folder in your App Library, not on your home screen, and contains tools like Calculator, Compass, and Voice Memos.
- You reach the App Library by swiping right past your last home screen or tapping the App Library icon at the bottom of your home screen.
- You can move the Utilities folder to your home screen if you use those apps frequently, or open individual apps from within it.
- The apps inside Utilities are built into iOS and cannot be deleted, though you can hide them from your App Library view.
How to open the App Library and find Utilities
Start on any home screen. At the bottom of your iPhone 11, you'll see a row of dots or lines — one for each home screen page you have. Swipe right past your last home screen, or tap the App Library icon (it looks like a grid of four squares) at the bottom right of your screen. This takes you to the App Library.
Once you're in the App Library, scroll down until you see the Utilities folder. It will show a small preview of the apps inside — usually Calculator, Compass, Magnifier, and others. Tap the folder to open it and see all the apps it contains.
What apps are actually in the Utilities folder
The Utilities folder on iPhone 11 typically contains: Calculator, Compass, Magnifier, Measure, Notes, Reminders, Stocks, Voice Memos, and Weather. Some of these appear by default; others may be added depending on what you've installed or updated. The exact contents can vary slightly based on your iOS version.
These are all Apple's own apps designed to handle specific tasks. Calculator does math. Compass shows your direction. Magnifier turns your camera into a magnifying glass. Voice Memos records audio. They're grouped together because they're tools you might need occasionally, but most people don't use them constantly.
How to move Utilities to your home screen
If you use the apps in Utilities frequently, you can move the entire folder to your home screen. Open the App Library, find the Utilities folder, and press and hold it until a menu appears. Tap "Add to Home Screen." The folder will appear on your current home screen, and you can drag it to any position you prefer.
Alternatively, you can move individual apps instead of the whole folder. Press and hold a single app inside Utilities, tap "Add to Home Screen," and that app will appear on your home screen separately. This is useful if you use Calculator constantly but rarely touch Compass.
How to open an app directly from Utilities without moving it
You don't have to move the folder to use the apps inside it. Open the App Library, tap the Utilities folder to open it, then tap the app you want. It will launch when ready. This takes two taps instead of one, but it keeps your home screen clean if you only use these apps occasionally.
This is the most common approach for most people. The apps stay organized in the App Library, out of sight, but you can reach them quickly whenever you need them.
How to customize which apps appear in Utilities
You cannot delete the built-in apps that come in Utilities — they're part of iOS itself. However, you can hide them from your App Library view. Press and hold an app in the Utilities folder, tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from App Library." The app will still exist on your phone and you can still use it by searching for it (swipe down from the home screen and type the app name), but it won't show in the App Library anymore.
If you change your mind, you can restore hidden apps. Open Settings, go to Apps, find the app you hid, and look for an option to show it again. The exact steps vary depending on which app you're restoring.
Why Apple created the Utilities folder
Before the App Library existed (it arrived with iOS 14 in 2020), every app you installed appeared on your home screen. This meant people with many apps had to swipe through multiple screens to find anything. The App Library automatically sorts apps into categories — Utilities, Productivity, Games, Social, and others — so you see only what you use most often on your home screen.
The Utilities folder specifically holds tools that are useful but not part of your daily routine. Apple assumes most people don't check the Compass or Stocks app every day, so those live in Utilities rather than taking up valuable home screen space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete apps from the Utilities folder?
No. The apps in Utilities are built into iOS and cannot be deleted. You can hide them from your App Library so they don't appear in searches, but they remain on your phone. If you need one later, you can unhide it through Settings.
What if I don't see the Utilities folder in my App Library?
Make sure you're looking at the App Library, not your home screen. Swipe right past your last home screen or tap the grid icon at the bottom right. If you've hidden all the apps in Utilities, the folder itself may not appear. You can restore hidden apps through Settings to bring the folder back.
Can I rename the Utilities folder?
No. The App Library categories — Utilities, Productivity, Games, and others — are fixed by Apple and cannot be renamed or reorganized. You can only move the entire folder or individual apps to your home screen.
Why does my Utilities folder look different from someone else's?
The apps that appear in Utilities depend on your iOS version and which apps you've installed. If you've added third-party apps that Apple categorizes as utilities, they may appear in this folder too. Hiding apps also changes what shows in the folder.