Moving an app on your iPhone takes 15 seconds once you know where to tap
To move an app on your iPhone, press and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Move App" and drag it to a new location on your home screen. Release your finger to drop it in place. You can move apps between your home screen and the App Library, into folders, or between different home screen pages — all using the same press-and-hold method.
The process works the same way on all recent iPhone models running iOS 13 or later. If you have an older iPhone or an older iOS version, the steps are slightly different, but the basic idea is identical: press and hold, then drag to move.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon until a menu appears, then select "Move App" to reposition it anywhere on your home screen.
- You can drag apps into folders, onto different home screen pages, or into the App Library at the bottom of your screen.
- If you do not see a "Move App" option, try pressing and holding for a full second longer — the menu sometimes takes a moment to appear.
- Rearranging apps does not delete them or change how they work; it only changes where they appear on your screen.
The step-by-step process for moving a single app
Find the app you want to move on your home screen. Press and hold the app icon with your finger — not a tap, but a steady press. After about half a second, the icon will enlarge slightly and a menu will pop up above it. The menu includes options like "Edit Home Screen", "Move App", and others depending on your iOS version.
Tap "Move App" from the menu. Your home screen will now enter edit mode, and the app icon will remain highlighted. Drag the app to its new location by keeping your finger on the icon and sliding it across the screen. You can move it left or right on the same page, or drag it to the edge of the screen to move it to an adjacent page. When you reach the spot where you want it, release your finger and the app will drop into place.
If you want to move the app to a different home screen page that is not currently visible, drag it to the far right or left edge of the screen and hold it there for a moment. The screen will scroll to the next page automatically, and you can continue dragging to position it. Once you are happy with the location, release your finger.
Moving apps into folders to organize your home screen
Folders let you group related apps together and save space on your home screen. To create a folder while moving an app, press and hold the app icon and tap "Move App". Then drag the app on top of another app icon. Your iPhone will automatically create a folder containing both apps, and you can name it whatever you want.
To add more apps to an existing folder, press and hold an app icon, tap "Move App", and drag it onto the folder. The folder will open slightly to show you are about to add the app to it. Release your finger and the app will move into the folder. You can have as many apps as you want in a single folder — they will scroll if the folder gets full.
To move an app out of a folder, open the folder by tapping it, then press and hold the app you want to remove. Tap "Move App" and drag it out of the folder onto your home screen. The folder will stay open while you drag, so you can position the app anywhere on the current page or drag it to a different page.
Using the App Library to store apps you do not use often
The App Library is a section at the far right of your home screen that automatically organizes all your apps into categories like Productivity, Entertainment, and Utilities. You can move apps there to keep your home screen clean without deleting them.
To move an app to the App Library, press and hold the app icon and tap "Move App". Drag the app to the far right edge of your screen until you see the App Library appear. Keep dragging into the App Library and release your finger. The app will move there and will still be searchable and accessible, but it will not clutter your home screen.
You can also move apps from the App Library back to your home screen. Open the App Library, press and hold the app you want to move, tap "Move App", and drag it to the left onto your home screen. Position it where you want it and release.
What to do if the move menu does not appear
If you press and hold an app and no menu appears, you may be pressing too quickly or not long enough. Try again with a slower, steadier press — hold your finger on the icon for a full second before releasing. Some apps take slightly longer to respond than others.
If a menu appears but you do not see "Move App" as an option, you may be in a different mode. Look for an option called "Edit Home Screen" or a pencil icon in the corner of your screen. Tap that first, then try pressing and holding the app again. On some iOS versions, you enter edit mode before you can move apps.
System apps that come built into your iPhone, like Settings or Phone, can be moved to folders or other pages, but they cannot be removed from your iPhone entirely. You can move them just like any other app — the only difference is you cannot delete them.
Moving multiple apps at once in edit mode
If you want to rearrange several apps quickly, you can enter edit mode and move them one after another without exiting. Press and hold any app icon and tap "Edit Home Screen" (or look for a pencil icon). Your home screen will enter edit mode, and all the app icons will show a small minus sign or edit indicator.
In edit mode, you can tap and drag any app to a new location without having to press and hold again. Drag one app, release it, then immediately drag another. This is faster than moving apps one at a time through the menu. When you are done rearranging, tap "Done" in the top right corner or press the home button to exit edit mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move an app to a specific home screen page?
Yes. Press and hold the app, tap "Move App", and drag it to the edge of your screen. Hold it at the edge for a moment and the screen will scroll to the next page. You can continue dragging across multiple pages until you reach the page where you want the app, then release it.
What happens to an app's data if I move it?
Moving an app does not change anything about how it works or what data it stores. Your messages, photos, login information, and settings stay exactly the same. Moving only changes where the app icon appears on your screen.
Can I move apps to the lock screen?
No. Apps can only be moved to your home screen pages, into folders, or to the App Library. The lock screen shows widgets and shortcuts, not app icons. You can customize your lock screen separately, but that is a different process from moving apps.
Is there a way to move apps without using the press-and-hold method?
On most iPhones, press and hold is the main way to move apps. Some older iPhones running iOS 12 or earlier use a different method: tap and hold the app icon until it jiggles, then drag it. If your iPhone is very old, check your iOS version in Settings > General > About to see which method applies.
Can I undo a move if I change my mind?
There is no undo button for moving apps. If you move an app and want to put it back, you will need to move it again manually. However, moving apps is quick and reversible, so you can experiment with different layouts without worry.