The fastest way to add an app to your home screen
Open the App Store, find the app you want, and tap the cloud icon with a download arrow (or the plus sign, depending on your iPhone model). Once it finishes installing, the icon automatically appears on your home screen — usually in the top-left corner of your last page. You can then move it wherever you want by holding down on the icon and dragging it to a new spot.
If an app is already installed on your phone but not showing on your home screen, you can add it without downloading again. Open the App Store, search for the app, and tap the cloud icon. It will appear on your home screen within seconds.
The other method is to hold down on any empty space on your home screen, tap the plus button in the top-left corner, search for the app by name, and tap the plus icon next to it. This works for apps you already own but have hidden or removed from your home screen.
Key Takeaways
- New apps from the App Store land on your home screen automatically, usually at the top-left of your last page.
- You can move any app icon by holding it down and dragging it to a new location on any home screen page.
- If an app is installed but hidden, use the App Library search or the home screen edit mode to add it back without reinstalling.
- Creating folders by dragging one app onto another keeps your home screen organized and makes finding apps faster.
Moving an app to a different spot on your home screen
Once an app is on your home screen, you can move it anywhere. Hold your finger on the app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen." The icon will start to jiggle, which means it is ready to move.
Drag the app to the spot where you want it. You can move it left or right on the same page, or drag it to the edge of the screen to move it to a different home screen page. When you have it where you want it, lift your finger and tap "Done" in the top-right corner.
If you want to move multiple apps at once, keep holding down on one app after the jiggle starts, then tap other apps with your other finger to select them. You can then drag the whole group to a new location.
Creating folders to organize your apps
Folders let you group related apps together and save space on your home screen. To create a folder, hold down on an app icon until the menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen." Drag one app directly on top of another app. Your iPhone will automatically create a folder and suggest a name based on the app category.
You can accept the suggested name by tapping outside the folder, or type your own name. To add more apps to the folder, keep dragging them onto the folder icon while still in edit mode. When you are done, tap "Done" in the top-right corner.
To open a folder and see all the apps inside, just tap the folder icon on your home screen. To remove an app from a folder, hold down on the folder, tap "Edit Home Screen," then drag the app out of the folder and onto your home screen.
Using the App Library to find hidden apps
The App Library is a separate screen on your iPhone that automatically organizes all your installed apps into categories, even ones not on your home screen. Swipe all the way to the right past your last home screen page to see it.
The App Library shows categories like Productivity, Health, Games, and Social. Tap any category to see all the apps inside it. If you want to add an app from the App Library back to your home screen, hold down on the app icon, tap "Edit Home Screen," and drag it to your home screen.
You can also search for an app directly from your home screen by swiping down from the middle of the screen to open search, typing the app name, and tapping the app result. Then hold down on it and select "Add to Home Screen."
What to do if an app won't appear on your home screen
If you just downloaded an app and it is not showing up, wait a few seconds — sometimes it takes a moment for the icon to appear. If it still does not show up after 30 seconds, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on.
If the app is installed but you cannot find it on your home screen, it may be in a folder or on a page you have not checked yet. Swipe through all your home screen pages, or use the search function by swiping down and typing the app name. If you still cannot find it, open the App Library (swipe right past your last home screen page) and search there.
If the app shows as installed in the App Store but you cannot find it anywhere on your phone, try deleting it and reinstalling it. Hold down on the app icon in the App Store, tap "Remove App," then tap "Remove from iPhone." Wait a few seconds, then tap the cloud icon to reinstall it.
Removing apps from your home screen without deleting them
You can remove an app icon from your home screen while keeping the app installed on your phone. Hold down on the app icon, tap "Edit Home Screen," then tap the minus sign that appears in the top-left corner of the icon. Tap "Remove from Home Screen" in the menu that appears.
The app will disappear from your home screen but will still be installed. You can find it anytime in the App Library or by searching for it. To add it back to your home screen later, search for it, hold down on the result, and tap "Add to Home Screen."
This is different from deleting the app entirely. If you want to completely remove an app from your iPhone, hold down on the icon, tap "Remove App," then tap "Delete App" and confirm. This removes the app and all its data from your phone.
Organizing your home screen by frequency of use
Most people keep their most-used apps on the first home screen page and less-used apps on later pages. The apps you use every day — like Messages, Phone, Safari, and Mail — should be easy to reach without swiping.
Consider putting apps you use several times a day in the bottom row of your first page, since that area is easiest to reach with one hand. Apps you use once a week or less can go on your second or third page, or stay in the App Library.
You can also use folders to keep your home screen less cluttered. For example, create a folder called "Games" and put all your game apps inside it, or create a "Utilities" folder for tools you use occasionally. This way your home screen shows only the apps you need quick access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add an app to my home screen if I haven't downloaded it yet?
No, you have to download the app from the App Store first. Once you tap the download button and the app installs, it will appear on your home screen automatically. You cannot add an app to your home screen before it is installed on your phone.
Why did my app icon disappear from my home screen?
The app may have been moved to a folder, placed on a different home screen page, or removed from your home screen intentionally. Check all your home screen pages by swiping left and right, look inside any folders, and check the App Library. If you still cannot find it, search for the app by swiping down and typing its name.
Can I arrange my home screen pages in a different order?
Yes. Hold down on any empty space on your home screen, tap "Edit," then hold down on a page thumbnail at the bottom and drag it to a new position. The pages will rearrange in the order you set. Tap "Done" when you are finished.
What is the difference between removing an app and deleting it?
Removing an app from your home screen keeps it installed on your phone — you can still find it in the App Library or by searching. Deleting an app removes it completely from your iPhone and erases all its data. You can always reinstall a deleted app later from the App Store.
Can I add apps to my lock screen?
Yes, on newer iPhones you can add app shortcuts to your lock screen. Hold down on your lock screen, tap "Customize," then tap the plus button to add widgets or app shortcuts. This is different from your home screen and shows information or quick actions without opening the full app.