Moving an app on iPhone takes 10 seconds once you know where to find the option
To move an app on your iPhone, press and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen." The icon will start to jiggle, and you can now drag it anywhere on your screen or to a different page. When you're done, press the back arrow or tap outside the app to lock it in place. This works the same way on any iPhone running iOS 16 or later.
If your apps won't move, or if you see a different menu when you press and hold, your iPhone may be running an older version of iOS. The steps below cover both current and older methods so you can move apps no matter which version you have.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon, then tap "Edit Home Screen" to enter move mode on current iPhones.
- Once the icons jiggle, drag any app to a new spot on the same page or swipe to move it to a different page.
- On older iPhones, press and hold the app until the menu appears, then tap "Remove App" or look for a move option in the menu.
- You can organize apps into folders by dragging one app onto another, which saves space on your home screen.
- Tap the back arrow or press outside the jiggling icons to save your changes and exit move mode.
How to move an app on iPhone 14, 13, 12, or newer
On newer iPhones, the process is straightforward. Press and hold the app icon you want to move until a menu pops up. Look for the option that says "Edit Home Screen" and tap it. The app icons on your screen will start to jiggle, which means they are now in move mode.
Once the icons are jiggling, tap and drag the app you want to move to its new location. You can place it anywhere on the current page. If you want to move it to a different page, drag it to the right edge of the screen and hold it there until the next page appears, then drop it where you want it. When you're finished moving apps, tap the back arrow in the top left corner or tap anywhere outside the app grid to exit move mode and lock your changes in place.
Moving apps on iPhone 11 or older versions
On older iPhones, the method is slightly different. Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears with several options. You may see choices like "Remove App," "Add to Home Screen," or "Edit Home Screen." Tap "Edit Home Screen" if that option is available. If it is not, tap and hold the icon again until the icons start to jiggle, which means you can now drag them.
Once the icons are jiggling, drag the app to where you want it. You can move it around the current page or drag it to the edge to move it to another page. When you're done, press the home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen to exit move mode. Your changes will save automatically.
Creating folders to organize your apps
If you want to group related apps together and save space, you can create folders. First, enter move mode by pressing and holding an app and tapping "Edit Home Screen." Then drag one app directly on top of another app. The two apps will automatically create a folder, and iPhone will suggest a category name based on the app types.
You can rename the folder by tapping on the name that appears and typing a new one. Keep dragging apps into the folder to add more. When you're finished, tap the back arrow or tap outside the grid to save. Folders are useful for keeping games separate from productivity apps, or grouping all your social media apps in one place.
What to do if your apps won't move
If you press and hold an app and nothing happens, or if you see only a "Remove App" option, your iPhone may have restrictions turned on. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If this is turned on, tap it and enter your passcode. Make sure "App Management" is set to "Allow Changes" so you can move apps freely.
Another reason apps might not move is if you are in Safe Mode or if your iPhone is updating. Restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on, then try again. If you still cannot move apps after restarting, check that you are running the latest version of iOS by going to Settings, tapping General, and selecting Software Update.
Moving apps between your home screen and app library
Your iPhone has two places to store apps: the home screen (the pages you see when you unlock your phone) and the App Library (a separate view that organizes all your apps automatically). You can move apps from your home screen to the App Library to declutter. Press and hold the app, tap "Edit Home Screen," then drag it off the bottom of the screen. A "Remove from Home Screen" button will appear — release the app over it.
To bring an app back from the App Library to your home screen, swipe right past your last home screen page to open the App Library, find the app, press and hold it, tap "Edit Home Screen," and drag it back to a home screen page. This gives you flexibility to keep your most-used apps visible while hiding others you use less often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move apps to the lock screen on my iPhone?
Yes, on iPhone 14 and newer, you can add app shortcuts to your lock screen. Press and hold the lock screen itself (not an app), tap the plus button, and choose which apps you want to add. These are shortcuts, not the full apps, so they work differently from home screen apps.
What happens if I delete an app by accident while moving it?
If you see a "Remove App" option appear while moving, do not tap it. If you do tap it by accident, you will see a choice to "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App." Choose "Remove from Home Screen" to keep the app on your phone but hide it from the home screen. You can always find it again in the App Library.
Can I move multiple apps at once?
No, you can only move one app at a time on iPhone. However, you can move apps quickly by staying in edit mode — just tap and drag each app one after another without exiting move mode, then tap the back arrow when you're finished with all of them.
Why do my apps keep moving back to where they were?
This usually means you did not fully exit move mode before using your phone. Make sure you tap the back arrow in the top left corner or tap outside the app grid to lock in your changes. If apps still move on their own, restart your iPhone and check that you have the latest iOS update.
Can I move the app store or settings app?
No, some system apps like Settings, Phone, Messages, and Camera cannot be moved or removed from your home screen. You can remove them from the home screen and access them through the App Library, but they will always stay on your iPhone.