The quickest way to change your home screen
On both iPhone and Android, you change your home screen by moving apps around, adding widgets, or switching to a different wallpaper. The exact steps depend on which phone you have, but the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
On an iPhone, press and hold any empty space on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap "Customize." On Android, long-press an empty area and look for "Widgets" or "Home Screen Settings" — the exact wording varies by phone maker.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone home screens are customized by pressing and holding an empty space, then tapping "Customize" to rearrange apps and add widgets.
- Android phones require a long-press on an empty home screen area, but the menu options differ depending on whether you use Samsung, Google Pixel, or another brand.
- Wallpaper changes are separate from app layout — you access wallpaper settings through your phone's main Settings app on both platforms.
- Moving apps between home screens is done by dragging them; deleting an app from your home screen does not remove it from your phone.
Changing your home screen on iPhone
Start by pressing and holding any blank area of your home screen — not on an app icon, but in the empty space between them. After about a second, a menu will pop up. Tap the blue "Customize" button at the bottom.
You are now in edit mode. Tap the plus sign in the top left corner to add widgets, or tap any app icon to see options to remove it from this screen or move it to another. To rearrange apps, tap and hold an icon, then drag it to a new spot. When you are done, tap "Done" in the top right.
If you want to change your wallpaper instead, go to Settings, tap "Wallpaper," then "Add New Wallpaper." Choose from Apple's built-in options or pick a photo from your camera roll. You can set it for your lock screen, home screen, or both.
Changing your home screen on Android
The process on Android varies slightly depending on your phone maker. On a Google Pixel, long-press an empty area of the home screen and a menu will appear with options like "Widgets," "Wallpaper," and "Home Settings." On a Samsung phone, the menu may say "Home Screen Settings" or "Widgets" instead.
To move apps, long-press an app icon and drag it to a new location. To add widgets, long-press an empty space, tap "Widgets," find the widget you want, and drag it onto your home screen. Some Android phones let you swipe left to create additional home screens, or you can add them through the home screen settings menu.
To change your wallpaper on Android, go to Settings, search for "Wallpaper," and tap the result. You can choose from pre-loaded images or upload your own photo. Some phones also let you set a live wallpaper that moves or changes throughout the day.
Moving apps between home screens
On iPhone, drag an app icon to the right or left edge of the screen while in edit mode, and it will move to the next home screen. You can also drag it to the dock at the bottom, which appears on every home screen.
On Android, the process is similar — drag an app to the edge of the screen to move it to an adjacent home screen. Some Android phones show a preview of your other screens as you drag, making it easier to see where you are placing the app.
Adding widgets to your home screen
Widgets are small app windows that show information without opening the full app — like a weather widget that displays the current temperature, or a calendar widget showing your next event.
On iPhone, tap "Customize" on your home screen, then tap the plus sign in the top left. Search for the app whose widget you want, tap it, choose the widget size, and tap "Add Widget." On Android, long-press an empty space, tap "Widgets," find the widget you want, and drag it onto your home screen.
Not every app has a widget. If you do not see a widget option for an app you use, that app may not offer one yet.
Removing apps from your home screen
Removing an app from your home screen does not delete it from your phone — it just hides it from view. You can still find it by searching or looking in your app library.
On iPhone, press and hold the app icon in edit mode, then tap "Remove from Home Screen." On Android, long-press the app icon and look for a "Remove" or trash icon, then confirm the removal.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is thinking that removing an app from your home screen deletes it entirely. It does not — the app stays on your phone and you can search for it or reinstall it to your home screen anytime.
Another mistake is trying to customize your home screen while not in edit mode. If nothing happens when you tap or drag, make sure you have entered edit mode first by long-pressing an empty area and confirming the menu appeared.
On Android, do not assume all phones work the same way. If the menu looks different from what you see in a tutorial, your phone maker may have customized it. Check your phone's manual or search for your specific model number plus "home screen settings."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different apps on different home screens?
Yes. You can organize apps however you want across multiple home screens. On iPhone, you can have up to 15 home screens. On Android, the limit depends on your phone, but most allow at least 5 to 7 screens. Drag apps between screens to organize them by category or frequency of use.
What is the difference between a widget and an app shortcut?
A widget displays live information from an app without opening it — like showing your next calendar event or current weather. A shortcut is just an icon that opens the app. Widgets take up more space but show more information at a glance.
Why does my home screen look different from my friend's?
If you both have iPhones, Apple updates the home screen customization options with new iOS versions, so older phones may look slightly different. If one of you has an Android phone, the difference is much bigger because each phone maker designs their own home screen interface.
Can I undo changes I made to my home screen?
On iPhone, you can reset your home screen layout by going to Settings, tapping General, then Reset, then "Reset Home Screen Layout." On Android, this option varies by phone maker — check your Settings app under Home or Display options.
Do I need to be connected to the internet to change my home screen?
No. Rearranging apps, moving widgets, and changing wallpaper all work offline. You only need internet if you are downloading a new wallpaper image from the internet or adding a widget that needs live data.