The fastest way to change your home screen
On both iPhone and Android, you change your home screen by moving apps around, removing ones you don't use, and adding widgets or shortcuts. The exact steps depend on which phone you have, but both let you do this without downloading anything extra or restarting your phone.
On iPhone, press and hold any app until a menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen" or drag the app to a new spot. On Android, press and hold an app, then drag it where you want it or tap the option to remove it. You can also add app folders to group similar apps together on both phones.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users press and hold an app, then choose "Edit Home Screen" to rearrange, remove, or add apps to their home screen.
- Android users press and hold an app and drag it to move it, or tap the remove option to take it off the home screen.
- Both iPhone and Android let you create folders by dragging one app onto another, which groups similar apps in a single icon.
- Widgets—small app previews that show weather, calendar, or news without opening the full app—can be added to your home screen on both phones.
- Removing an app from your home screen does not delete it from your phone; it stays in your app library or app drawer.
How to rearrange apps on iPhone
On iPhone, press and hold any app icon on your home screen until a menu pops up. You will see options including "Edit Home Screen," "Remove App," and "Share App." Tap "Edit Home Screen" to enter edit mode, where all the app icons show a small minus sign in the corner.
Once you are in edit mode, drag any app to a new location on the screen. You can move it left, right, up, or down. Drag it to the edge of the screen to move it to the next page of your home screen. When you are done moving apps, press the back button or tap outside the apps to exit edit mode and save your changes.
If you want to remove an app from your home screen without deleting it from your phone, press and hold the app in edit mode, then tap "Remove App" and choose "Remove from Home Screen." The app stays in your App Library, which you can access by swiping to the last page of your home screen.
How to rearrange apps on Android
On Android, the process is simpler. Press and hold any app icon until it highlights or a menu appears. Drag the app to move it anywhere on your home screen or to another page. Release your finger when the app is where you want it.
To remove an app from your home screen on Android, press and hold it and look for a "Remove" or "Uninstall" option. Tap "Remove" to take it off your home screen without deleting it from your phone. The app will still be in your app drawer, which you can open by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or tapping the app drawer icon.
Some Android phones have slightly different steps depending on the manufacturer. Samsung phones, for example, may show a "Remove from Home Screen" option when you press and hold an app. Google Pixel phones work the same way as standard Android. If your phone feels different, check your phone's settings or help section for the exact steps.
Creating folders to organize your home screen
Both iPhone and Android let you group apps into folders so your home screen looks cleaner. On iPhone, press and hold an app in edit mode, then drag it on top of another app. The phone will create a folder automatically and suggest a name based on the app category. You can rename the folder by tapping the name field.
On Android, press and hold an app and drag it on top of another app to create a folder. The folder will appear with a default name. Tap the folder to open it and see the apps inside. You can rename the folder by pressing and holding it and selecting "Edit" or "Rename," depending on your phone.
Folders are useful for grouping apps by type—for example, a "Games" folder for all your games, or a "Social" folder for messaging and social media apps. You can add as many apps as you want to a folder, and you can move the entire folder around your home screen just like a single app.
Adding widgets to your home screen
Widgets are small previews of apps that show information without opening the full app. On iPhone, press and hold an empty area of your home screen, then tap the plus sign in the bottom left corner. Search for the app you want a widget for, select it, choose the widget style you want, and tap "Add Widget." The widget will appear on your home screen.
On Android, press and hold an empty area of your home screen, then tap "Widgets" or look for a widgets option in the menu. Find the app you want a widget for, press and hold the widget, and drag it to your home screen. Release it where you want it to appear.
Common widgets include weather, calendar, clock, news, and fitness trackers. Some apps offer multiple widget sizes, so you can choose one that fits your home screen layout. Widgets update automatically, so you can see the latest information without opening the app.
Changing your home screen wallpaper
Your wallpaper is the background image behind your apps. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap "Wallpaper," then tap "Add New Wallpaper." You can choose from Apple's built-in wallpapers, photos from your camera roll, or a solid color. Select the image, adjust how it looks, and tap "Set" to choose whether it appears on your lock screen, home screen, or both.
On Android, press and hold an empty area of your home screen and tap "Wallpapers" or "Set Wallpaper." Choose from your phone's built-in wallpapers, your photos, or a solid color. Tap the image to preview it, then tap "Set Wallpaper" or "explore" to save it.
Changing your wallpaper does not affect your apps or folders—it only changes the background image. You can change it as often as you want, and it takes effect when ready.
Resetting your home screen to default
If you have moved a lot of apps around and want to start over, you can reset your home screen to its original layout. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap "General," then "Reset," and choose "Reset Home Screen Layout." This will move all your apps back to their original positions and remove any custom folders you created.
On Android, the process depends on your phone. Most Android phones do not have a built-in reset option, so you would need to manually move apps back or use a third-party launcher app. If you want to reset your entire phone to factory settings, go to Settings, find "System" or "About Phone," and look for a "Reset" option. Be aware that this will erase all your data, so back up your phone first.
Resetting your home screen does not delete any apps from your phone—it only changes their position. All your data and settings stay the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does moving apps around slow down my phone?
No. Rearranging apps, creating folders, or adding widgets does not affect your phone's speed or performance. Your phone runs the same whether your home screen is organized or messy.
Can I have different home screens on different pages?
Yes. Both iPhone and Android let you swipe left and right between multiple home screen pages. Each page can have a different layout, and you can move apps between pages by dragging them to the edge of the screen.
What happens if I remove an app from my home screen?
The app stays on your phone. On iPhone, it moves to your App Library. On Android, it stays in your app drawer. You can add it back to your home screen anytime by searching for it or dragging it from the app drawer.
Can I add the same app to my home screen more than once?
On iPhone, you can add the same app multiple times if you use Shortcuts or create multiple home screen pages. On Android, most phones let you add the same app to your home screen as many times as you want.
How do I know if a widget will update in real time?
Most widgets update automatically when you unlock your phone or after a set time interval. Weather, calendar, and news widgets typically update every few minutes. Check the app's settings if you want to change how often a widget refreshes.