The basic way to add apps to your home screen
On most phones and tablets, you add an app to your home screen by finding it in your app library or app store, then dragging it to the screen you want. The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or tablet — the method is different for each.
The fastest way is usually to long-press (hold your finger down) on an empty spot on your home screen until a menu appears, then look for an option to add apps or widgets. Some phones let you search for the app by name instead, which is quicker if you know what you're looking for.
Once you add an app to your home screen, it stays there until you remove it. The app itself is still installed on your device — removing it from the home screen does not uninstall it.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, long-press an empty home screen area, tap the plus button, search for the app, and tap "Add to Home Screen."
- On Android, long-press the app in your app drawer, select "Add to home screen," or drag it directly to your home screen.
- Removing an app from your home screen does not uninstall it — the app remains on your device in your app library.
- You can organize apps into folders on your home screen by dragging one app onto another, which saves space.
Adding apps on iPhone
On iPhone, start by going to any home screen and long-pressing an empty area until the screen enters edit mode — you'll see a plus button appear in the top left corner. Tap that plus button to open the app library.
Search for the app you want by typing its name, or scroll through the categories to find it. Once you see the app, tap it, then tap "Add to Home Screen." You can choose which home screen page it goes on. Tap "Add" in the top right to confirm.
If you want to add multiple apps at once, you can keep tapping apps after the first one — each will be added to the same home screen. When you're finished, press the home button or swipe up from the bottom to exit edit mode.
Adding apps on Android
On Android, open your app drawer (usually a grid icon at the bottom of your home screen) and find the app you want to add. Long-press the app icon until a menu appears with options like "Add to home screen" or "Add to home."
Tap that option and the app will appear on your home screen. Some Android phones let you drag the app directly from the app drawer to your home screen instead — just hold it down and drag it to the spot you want.
If you don't see an "Add to home screen" option, your phone may use a different method. Try long-pressing an empty area of your home screen instead — some Android versions let you search for apps that way and add them directly.
Adding apps on iPad and Android tablets
iPad works the same way as iPhone. Long-press an empty home screen area, tap the plus button, search for or browse to your app, and tap "Add to Home Screen." You can add the same app to multiple home screens if you want.
On Android tablets, the process is the same as Android phones — open your app drawer, long-press the app, and select "Add to home screen." Some tablets have larger screens, so you may have more room to organize apps into groups or folders.
Organizing apps into folders
To save space on your home screen, you can group related apps into a folder. On iPhone, drag one app onto another app — they'll automatically create a folder. Tap the folder to name it, then keep dragging more apps into it.
On Android, the process is similar: drag one app onto another to create a folder, then add more apps by dragging them in. The folder will suggest a category name based on the apps inside, but you can change it by tapping the folder and editing the name.
Folders work on both phones and tablets. You can have as many folders as you want, and you can organize them however makes sense for how you use your apps.
Removing apps from your home screen
To remove an app from your home screen without uninstalling it, long-press the app icon until a menu appears. On iPhone, tap "Remove from Home Screen." On Android, look for "Remove from home screen" or a trash icon.
The app will disappear from your home screen but will still be installed on your device. You can find it again in your app library (iPhone) or app drawer (Android) and add it back anytime.
If you want to completely uninstall an app instead, long-press it and look for "Remove app" or "Uninstall." This will delete the app from your device entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add the same app to multiple home screens?
Yes. On iPhone, you can add an app to as many home screens as you want by repeating the process. On Android, you can also add the same app multiple times, though most people add it once and use folders or search to find it.
What if I can't find the app I want to add?
Make sure the app is installed on your device first. If it's not, you need to download it from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) before you can add it to your home screen. If it's installed but you can't find it, try searching by name instead of scrolling.
Does removing an app from my home screen delete it?
No. Removing an app from your home screen only hides it from view — the app stays installed on your device. You can add it back to your home screen anytime by finding it in your app library or app drawer.
Can I rearrange apps after I add them?
Yes. Long-press any app on your home screen to enter edit mode, then drag it to a new location. On iPhone, tap the home button or swipe up when you're done. On Android, tap outside the app or press the back button to exit.
What's the difference between a home screen and an app drawer?
Your home screen is what you see when you unlock your phone — it shows the apps you've chosen to display. Your app drawer (Android) or app library (iPhone) contains all your installed apps. You add apps to your home screen to make them easier to reach.