The Utilities folder is in the App Library, the fourth tab at the bottom of your home screen

Open the App Library by swiping to the rightmost page of your home screen or tapping the App Library icon (four dots in a grid) at the bottom right. Tap the "Utilities" category — it appears as a folder with a wrench icon. Inside you'll find built-in apps like Calculator, Compass, Flashlight, Voice Memos, Stocks, and Weather, along with any third-party utility apps you've installed.

If you've never seen the App Library before, it's Apple's automatic organization system that groups all your apps by category. You don't create it or turn it on — it's always there on iPhone 11 running iOS 14 or later. The Utilities folder specifically holds tools and reference apps rather than entertainment or communication apps.

You can also search for individual utility apps without opening the folder. Swipe down from the middle of any home screen to open Spotlight Search, type the app name (like "Calculator"), and tap it from the results.

Key Takeaways

  • The Utilities folder sits in the App Library, which is the fourth tab at the bottom of your home screen.
  • Swipe right to the last home screen page or tap the four-dot icon to reach the App Library.
  • Tap the Utilities category to see built-in tools like Calculator, Compass, Flashlight, and Voice Memos.
  • You can search for individual utility apps using Spotlight Search instead of opening the folder.

What apps are actually in the Utilities folder

Apple includes several built-in utility apps in this folder by default. Calculator handles basic math and scientific calculations. Compass shows your direction and current heading. Flashlight turns your camera flash into a light source. Voice Memos records audio directly on your phone. Stocks displays market data and lets you track specific companies. Weather shows current conditions and forecasts for locations you add.

The folder also contains less commonly used apps like Measure (which uses your camera to estimate distances and dimensions), Shortcuts (which automates repeated tasks), and Tips (which shows how-to guides for iPhone features). If you've installed third-party utility apps — password managers, unit converters, timers, or note-taking tools — they may also appear here depending on how the developer categorized them.

How to add or remove apps from your home screen

If you want quick access to a utility app without opening the App Library each time, you can add it to your home screen. Long-press the app in the Utilities folder, then tap "Add to Home Screen." The app icon will appear on your current home screen page. You can then drag it to a different location or page if you prefer.

To remove an app from your home screen (but keep it in the App Library), long-press the icon and tap "Remove from Home Screen." The app stays on your phone and remains in the Utilities folder — you're only removing the shortcut from the home screen itself. This is different from deleting the app entirely, which you can do by tapping "Remove App" and then "Delete App."

Organizing your own utility apps

If you download third-party utility apps, they may not automatically sort into the Utilities folder. You can create your own folder on your home screen to group them together. Long-press an empty area of your home screen, tap the plus icon, search for an app, and add it. Then drag multiple app icons onto each other to create a custom folder, and name it whatever you want.

Alternatively, you can leave utility apps in the App Library and access them through Spotlight Search whenever you need them. This keeps your home screen less cluttered while still giving you quick access to the tools you use regularly.

Accessing utilities from Control Center

Some utility functions don't require opening an app at all. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, where you'll find quick toggles for Flashlight, Timer, and Calculator (on some iOS versions). You can customize which controls appear here by going to Settings > Control Center and tapping the plus icon next to any utility you want to add.

This is often faster than opening the full app if you only need a quick calculation, a timer, or to turn on your flashlight. Control Center is also where you adjust brightness, volume, and connectivity settings.

Finding utilities if they're not where you expect

If you can't find a utility app in the Utilities folder, it may have been moved to a different category or deleted. Use Spotlight Search to check if it's still on your phone — swipe down from the middle of your home screen and type the app name. If it appears in the results, you can tap it to open it or long-press it to see options for adding it to your home screen.

If the app doesn't appear in search results, it may have been deleted. You can reinstall it from the App Store by tapping the search tab, finding the app, and tapping the cloud icon with a download arrow to restore it. Some built-in Apple apps (like Calculator or Compass) cannot be deleted, so they will always be available in the Utilities folder or through search.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete apps from the Utilities folder?

You cannot delete Apple's built-in utility apps like Calculator, Compass, or Flashlight — they're permanent parts of iOS. However, you can hide them from your home screen by removing them from there. Third-party utility apps can be deleted by long-pressing them and tapping "Remove App," then confirming the deletion.

Why don't I see the App Library on my iPhone 11?

The App Library only appears on iPhone 11 running iOS 14 or later. If you're running an older version of iOS, you won't see it. Check Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available. Once you update, swipe to the rightmost home screen page to find the App Library.

How do I search for a specific utility app?

Swipe down from the middle of any home screen to open Spotlight Search, type the app name, and tap it from the results. This works whether the app is on your home screen, in the App Library, or in a folder. It's usually faster than navigating through folders if you know the app's name.

Can I rearrange the order of categories in the App Library?

No, the App Library's category order is fixed by Apple and cannot be rearranged. However, you can customize your home screen pages and create your own folders to organize apps however you want. The App Library itself is designed to be a backup organization system rather than your primary way of accessing apps.