What you can change on your home screen
Your home screen is the first page you see when you unlock your phone or computer. On iPhones and Android phones, you can rearrange app icons, add widgets that show live information, change the background image, and organize apps into folders. On Windows computers, you can pin different apps to the Start menu, resize tiles, and change the background. The steps differ depending on your device type and operating system version.
Most changes take less than a minute once you know where to look. You do not need to download anything or change any settings — the tools are built into your device.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, press and hold an empty space on your home screen to enter edit mode, then tap the plus button to add widgets or rearrange apps by dragging them.
- On Android phones, long-press the home screen background, then choose "Widgets" or "Home screen settings" depending on your phone brand.
- On Windows computers, right-click the Start button and select "Personalize" to pin apps, resize tiles, or change the background.
- Changing your home screen does not affect how your apps work or any of your files — it only changes what you see.
How to rearrange apps on iPhone
On an iPhone, press and hold any empty space on your home screen until a menu appears at the bottom. Tap "Edit Home Screen" (or the pencil icon if you have an older iOS version). Your app icons will start to jiggle, which means you can now move them.
Drag any app icon to a new spot on the same screen, or drag it to the edge of the screen to move it to the next page. To create a new page, drag an app past the last page. When you are done moving apps, press the back arrow or tap "Done" at the top right. The icons will stop jiggling and stay in their new positions.
If you want to remove an app from your home screen without deleting it, press and hold the app icon while in edit mode, then tap "Remove App" and choose "Remove from Home Screen." The app stays on your phone but disappears from the home screen.
How to add widgets on iPhone
Widgets are small windows that show information without opening the full app — like weather, calendar events, or news headlines. On iPhone, press and hold an empty space on your home screen, then tap the plus button at the bottom left. A list of apps that offer widgets will appear.
Tap the app you want a widget from, then swipe through the different widget sizes available. Tap "Add Widget" to place it on your home screen. You can add multiple widgets from the same app or different apps. Widgets update automatically throughout the day, so you see current information without tapping anything.
How to change your home screen on Android
Android phones vary by brand — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others have slightly different steps. On most Android phones, long-press an empty space on your home screen. A menu will appear with options like "Widgets," "Wallpapers," or "Home screen settings."
To move an app, long-press the app icon and drag it to a new spot. To add a widget, tap "Widgets," find the app you want, and drag the widget onto your home screen. To change your background image, tap "Wallpapers" and choose a new one from your photos or the built-in gallery. If you do not see these options, check your phone's settings under "Display" or "Home screen."
Some Android phones let you create multiple home screen pages by swiping left. You can move apps between pages by dragging them to the edge of the screen, just like on iPhone.
How to organize apps into folders
On both iPhone and Android, you can group related apps into folders to reduce clutter. On iPhone, enter edit mode by pressing and holding an empty space, then drag one app on top of another. A folder will automatically create, and you can drag more apps into it. Tap the folder name to rename it — for example, "Games" or "Social Media."
On Android, long-press an app icon and drag it on top of another app. A folder will appear. You can rename it by tapping the folder name field. Drag additional apps into the folder the same way. Folders work on both devices to keep your home screen organized without hiding apps completely.
How to change your home screen on Windows
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Start menu is your home screen. Right-click the Start button in the bottom left corner and select "Personalize." You can then pin apps to the Start menu, resize tiles, or change the background image.
To pin an app, open the Start menu, find the app you want, right-click it, and select "Pin to Start." To remove an app, right-click it and select "Unpin from Start." To resize a tile, right-click it and choose a new size — small, medium, large, or wide. To change your background, go to Settings > Personalization > Background and choose a new image or color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my home screen delete any of my apps or files?
No. Rearranging, hiding, or organizing apps only changes what you see on your screen. All your apps and files remain on your device and work exactly the same way.
Can I undo changes if I do not like how my home screen looks?
Yes. On iPhone, you can rearrange apps again at any time. On Android and Windows, the same process lets you move things back. There is no permanent change — you can adjust your home screen as often as you want.
What is the difference between removing an app and deleting it?
Removing an app from your home screen hides it but keeps it on your device. Deleting an app removes it completely. On iPhone, you can remove an app from the home screen without deleting it. On Android and Windows, uninstalling removes the app entirely.
Do widgets use more battery or data?
Widgets use very little battery or data because they update only when your screen is on or at set intervals. Removing widgets will not noticeably improve battery life unless you have dozens of them.
Can I set different home screens on different devices?
Yes. Each device — your phone, tablet, or computer — has its own home screen that you customize separately. Changes on one device do not affect the others.