iPhone doesn't have a dedicated Utilities folder by default

Apple removed the Utilities folder from the standard iPhone home screen layout years ago. If you're looking for utility apps like Calculator, Compass, or Voice Memos, they're still on your phone — they're just organized differently than they were on older iOS versions. The apps exist, but the folder that once grouped them together is gone.

On current iPhones, utility apps are scattered across your home screen or live in the App Library, which is the organized section at the far right of your home screen pages. You can also search for any specific utility app by swiping down from the middle of your home screen to open the search box.

Key Takeaways

  • Utility apps like Calculator, Compass, and Voice Memos still exist on your iPhone but are no longer grouped in a single Utilities folder.
  • The App Library, located at the far right of your home screen pages, automatically sorts apps by category and includes a Utilities section.
  • You can find any utility app quickly by swiping down from the center of your home screen and typing the app name into the search box.
  • If you want utility apps easily accessible, you can create your own folder on your home screen and move utility apps into it manually.

Finding utilities in the App Library

The App Library is the easiest place to find utility apps without searching. Swipe all the way to the right past your home screen pages until you reach a screen labeled "App Library." This screen shows app categories in a grid, including one labeled "Utilities."

Tap the Utilities category box, and your iPhone will display all utility apps installed on your phone. This includes Calculator, Compass, Voice Memos, Stocks, Reminders, Notes, Health, Shortcuts, and others depending on what you have installed. From here, you can tap any app to open it or press and hold to add it to your home screen.

Using search to find a specific utility app

If you know the name of the utility app you want, search is faster than browsing. Swipe down from the middle of your home screen (not from the top) to open the search box. Type the app name — for example, "Calculator" or "Compass" — and tap the result when it appears.

This method works whether the app is on your home screen, in a folder, or only in the App Library. Search finds it in seconds and opens it immediately when you tap it.

Creating your own Utilities folder on the home screen

If you want utility apps grouped together and visible on your home screen like they used to be, you can create a custom folder. Press and hold any utility app on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap "Add to Home Screen" if it's not already there. Repeat this for each utility app you use regularly.

Once you have several utility apps on your home screen, press and hold one of them and drag it onto another utility app. Your iPhone will automatically create a folder. You can name this folder "Utilities" or anything else you prefer. Drag additional utility apps into the folder to keep them organized in one place.

Common utility apps and where they live

Some utility apps come pre-installed on every iPhone and cannot be deleted. These include Calculator, Compass, Voice Memos, Stocks, Reminders, Notes, Health, Shortcuts, and Measure. All of these appear in the Utilities section of the App Library.

Other utility apps you may have installed yourself — like flashlight apps, unit converters, or weather tools — also appear in the Utilities category if they're classified that way by their developer. If an app doesn't show up in Utilities, check other categories in the App Library or use search to find it.

Why Apple changed the folder structure

Starting with iOS 13, Apple introduced the App Library to replace the need for manually organizing apps into folders. The App Library automatically categorizes every app on your phone, so you don't have to decide where things go. This change reduced clutter on home screens and made it easier to find apps without remembering which folder they were in.

The trade-off is that utility apps are no longer grouped in one obvious place on your home screen. Instead, they're organized by category in the App Library and accessible through search. For most people, this system is faster than navigating folders, but if you prefer the old way, creating a custom folder works just as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restore the old Utilities folder to my home screen?

No, Apple doesn't offer a way to restore the original Utilities folder. However, you can create a new folder and name it "Utilities," then move utility apps into it manually. This gives you the same grouped organization without the automatic folder that older iPhones had.

Why can't I find a specific utility app?

If you can't find an app in the App Library or through search, it may not be installed on your phone. Check the App Store to see if the app is available for your iPhone model and iOS version. Some older apps are no longer maintained and may not work on current iPhones.

Is there a way to hide utility apps I don't use?

Yes. Press and hold any app on your home screen, tap "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen." The app stays on your phone and remains in the App Library, but it won't clutter your home screen. You can still find it through search or the App Library whenever you need it.

Do all iPhones organize apps the same way?

Yes. All iPhones running iOS 13 or later use the App Library system and don't have a Utilities folder on the home screen. Older iPhones running iOS 12 or earlier had the Utilities folder, but those devices are no longer supported by Apple.