How Do I Move the Icons on My iPhone? A Definitive Guide

So, you’re ready to rearrange your digital life on your iPhone? Moving icons is a fundamental skill for any iPhone user, and it’s surprisingly straightforward. The primary method involves a long press on any app icon until it starts to jiggle, or as Apple elegantly calls it, enters “jiggle mode.” While in this mode, you can then drag and drop icons to your desired location on the screen, including moving them between Home Screen pages and into folders. Once satisfied with the layout, simply tap the “Done” button in the top right corner (on iPhones with Face ID) or press the Home button (on iPhones with Touch ID) to lock the icons in place.

Understanding the Jiggle: Mastering Icon Movement

The “jiggle mode” is your gateway to customizing your iPhone’s Home Screen. Let’s delve deeper into how to initiate and effectively utilize it:

Entering Jiggle Mode

• Long Press: This is the classic method. Press and hold any app icon until a contextual menu appears (if available), and then continue holding until the icons start to jiggle.
• Edit Home Screen Option: Alternatively, you can touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen until the icons start to jiggle. On some older iOS versions, a slight delay might occur before the jiggle begins.
• Using Haptic Touch/3D Touch (for older iPhones): Some older iPhones utilized Haptic Touch (or 3D Touch, even older) which could open quick actions when pressing down on an icon. If this happens, just ensure you continue holding after the actions appear to enter jiggle mode.

Moving Icons Within and Between Pages

Once in jiggle mode, moving icons is a simple drag-and-drop operation:

• Dragging Icons: Tap and hold the icon you want to move. Without releasing your finger, drag it to your desired location on the current Home Screen page. Other icons will automatically shuffle aside to make room.
• Moving to a Different Page: To move an icon to a different Home Screen page, drag it to the edge of the screen (either left or right). Hold it there for a second or two, and the screen will automatically switch to the adjacent page. Then, drag the icon to its final destination on that page.
• Creating New Pages: If you drag an icon to the far-right edge of your last Home Screen page, a new page will automatically be created. This is how you can expand your Home Screen beyond the initial set of pages.

Utilizing Folders for Organization

Folders are invaluable for decluttering your Home Screen. Here’s how to use them:

• Creating a Folder: Drag one app icon and drop it directly onto another app icon. This will automatically create a folder containing both apps. iOS will even suggest a name for the folder based on the app categories.
• Adding Apps to a Folder: Drag additional app icons into an existing folder to add them.
• Removing Apps from a Folder: Open the folder by tapping on it. Then, enter “jiggle mode” while the folder is open. Drag the app icon out of the folder and onto the Home Screen.
• Renaming a Folder: Open the folder, tap on the name at the top, and enter your desired name.

Exiting Jiggle Mode

Once you’re satisfied with your icon arrangement, exit jiggle mode using one of the following methods:

• Tap “Done”: On iPhones with Face ID (i.e., no Home button), tap the “Done” button in the top right corner of the screen.
• Press the Home Button: On iPhones with a Home button (Touch ID), press the Home button to exit jiggle mode.

FAQ: Icon Organization and Troubleshooting

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further enhance your understanding of iPhone icon management:

1. Why won’t my icons move?

Ensure you are entering “jiggle mode” correctly by long-pressing the icon or using the alternative method of long-pressing on an empty area. Also, check if any restrictions are enabled in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Specifically, look under “Allowed Apps” and “Content Restrictions” to ensure that app deletion and other modifications aren’t blocked. Finally, ensure you’re not pressing too hard if you have an older iPhone with 3D Touch.

2. How do I delete an app from my iPhone?

While in “jiggle mode,” tap the minus sign (x) that appears in the top-left corner of the app icon. A confirmation prompt will appear; tap “Delete App” to uninstall it. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app in the list, and tap “Delete App.”

3. How do I restore deleted apps?

You can redownload deleted apps from the App Store. Search for the app and tap the cloud icon with a downward arrow to download it again. The app will be restored to your Home Screen.

4. How do I move multiple icons at once?

Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t natively support moving multiple icons simultaneously. You must move them one by one. However, third-party apps might offer this functionality, but use them with caution as they may compromise your device’s security.

5. How do I change the size of app icons?

iOS does not offer a built-in feature to directly change the size of app icons on the Home Screen. However, you can adjust the display zoom in Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom, which will indirectly affect the size of all elements on the screen, including icons.

6. Can I customize the appearance of app icons?

iOS allows for some customization. You can use Shortcuts app to create custom icons that redirect to an app. This involves creating a new shortcut that opens the desired app, then adding it to your Home Screen with a custom icon image.

7. How do I reset my Home Screen layout?

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset, and then tap “Reset Home Screen Layout.” This will revert your Home Screen to its default arrangement, placing all pre-installed apps in their original locations and alphabetizing other apps. Note that any folders you’ve created will be removed.

8. My icons are stuck! What do I do?

Try restarting your iPhone. A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your Home Screen layout (as described above). In rare cases, a more significant software issue might require restoring your iPhone from a backup or performing a clean install of iOS.

9. How do I hide apps without deleting them?

You can offload apps to free up storage space without deleting their data. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select the app, and tap “Offload App.” The app icon will remain on your Home Screen with a cloud icon, and you can tap it to redownload the app whenever you need it. You can also move them to the App Library, which is the farthest right screen of your Home Screen.

10. What is the App Library and how does it work?

The App Library, introduced in iOS 14, is an automatically organized view of all the apps on your iPhone. It categorizes apps into smart folders based on their app category (e.g., Social, Utilities, Entertainment). You can access it by swiping left past all your Home Screen pages. Apps moved to the App Library won’t appear on your Home Screen but are still accessible.

11. How do I stop new apps from automatically appearing on my Home Screen?

Go to Settings > Home Screen and select “App Library Only” under “Newly Downloaded Apps.” This will ensure that new apps are only added to the App Library and not to your Home Screen pages.

12. Can I lock my icon layout to prevent accidental movement?

iOS doesn’t offer a direct setting to lock your icon layout. As a workaround, you can take a screenshot of your Home Screen layout for reference, and periodically check to ensure your icons are still in their desired positions. Using a Guided Access (Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access) may also help prevent accidental changes by limiting the device to a single app and disabling certain features.

Mastering icon movement on your iPhone is the first step to a truly personalized and efficient mobile experience. Whether you’re creating folders, rearranging apps, or simply decluttering your Home Screen, these tips and tricks will empower you to take control of your digital world. Now, go forth and organize!