What you can change on your home screen
Your home screen is the main display you see when you unlock your phone or tablet. You can rearrange app icons, add widgets that show live information, change the background image, and organize apps into folders. The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, and which version of the operating system you have.
Most changes happen through long-pressing (holding your finger on) the home screen itself, not through a settings menu. This opens an editing mode where you can move, add, or remove items. Some changes, like the lock screen background, happen in Settings instead.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones and iPads, long-press an empty area of the home screen to enter edit mode, then tap the plus button to add widgets or tap and drag to move apps.
- On Android phones, long-press the home screen to access customization options, then select "Widgets" or "Add apps" depending on your device.
- You can change your lock screen and home screen backgrounds separately through the Settings app on both iPhone and Android.
- Creating folders by dragging one app onto another helps organize your home screen and keeps frequently used apps within reach.
How to rearrange apps on iPhone or iPad
Long-press any empty area of your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Edit Home Screen" at the bottom. The screen will now show all your apps with a minus sign in the corner of each one.
To move an app, tap and hold it, then drag it to a new location. Release your finger to drop it there. To move an app to a different page, drag it to the edge of the screen and hold it there until the next page appears, then release it.
When you are done moving apps, press the home button or swipe up from the bottom to exit edit mode. Your changes save automatically.
How to rearrange apps on Android
Long-press an empty area of your home screen. A menu will appear with options like "Widgets," "Settings," or "Add apps." Tap "Settings" or look for a home screen settings option (the exact wording varies by manufacturer).
To move an app without entering a menu, long-press the app icon itself and drag it to a new spot. Release to drop it. On some Android phones, you can drag an app to the edge of the screen to move it to another page, just like on iPhone.
If your phone does not respond to long-pressing the home screen, try long-pressing an app icon instead. Some Android versions put all customization options in the app menu rather than the home screen menu.
Adding and removing widgets
Widgets show live information like weather, calendar events, or news headlines without opening the full app. On iPhone, long-press an empty home screen area, tap "Edit Home Screen," then tap the plus button in the top left. Search for the app whose widget you want, tap it, select the widget size, and tap "Add Widget."
On Android, long-press an empty home screen area and tap "Widgets." Scroll through the list, long-press the widget you want, and drag it onto your home screen. Release to place it. You can resize many widgets by long-pressing them and dragging the corner handles.
To remove a widget, long-press it and select "Remove" or drag it to a trash icon if one appears. Removing a widget does not delete the app itself.
Changing your home screen background
On iPhone, open Settings, tap "Wallpaper," then tap "Add New Wallpaper." Choose "Photos" to pick an image from your camera roll, or select a built-in wallpaper collection. Tap the image to preview it, then tap "Set" and choose whether to explore it to your lock screen, home screen, or both.
On Android, long-press an empty home screen area and tap "Wallpapers" or "Wallpaper Settings." Select an image from your gallery or a built-in collection, preview it, and tap "Set as Wallpaper." Some Android phones let you choose whether the wallpaper applies to the home screen, lock screen, or both.
You can use any photo from your device or read wallpapers from apps like Unsplash or Pexels. Save the image to your phone first, then follow the steps above to set it as your background.
Organizing apps into folders
Folders let you group related apps together and reduce clutter on your home screen. On iPhone, long-press an app, tap "Move," and drag it onto another app you want to group with it. A folder will automatically create with a suggested name. Tap the name to change it, then tap outside the folder to close it.
On Android, long-press an app and drag it onto another app. A folder will appear. Tap the folder to open it and rename it if you want. Drag more apps into the folder by holding them over the folder icon until it opens, then releasing them inside.
To remove an app from a folder, open the folder, long-press the app, and drag it out onto the home screen. To delete a folder, remove all apps from it and the folder will disappear automatically.
Resetting your home screen to default
On iPhone, go to Settings, tap "General," then "Transfer or Reset." Tap "Reset," then "Reset Home Screen Layout." This removes all your changes and returns your home screen to the factory arrangement. Your apps remain on your phone — only their positions change.
On Android, the process varies by manufacturer. Most phones do not have a built-in reset option. Instead, long-press your home screen, tap "Settings," and look for "Reset" or "Restore Default." If you do not see this option, you can manually move apps back to their original positions or use a third-party launcher app to change your entire home screen layout.
Resetting does not delete any apps or data. It only changes where icons appear on your home screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different home screens on different pages?
Yes. Both iPhone and Android let you create multiple home screen pages by swiping left or right. You can customize each page separately — add different widgets, arrange apps differently, or leave pages mostly empty. Swipe to the leftmost page and tap the dots at the bottom to see all your pages at once.
What is the difference between a widget and an app shortcut?
A widget displays live information and updates without opening the app. A shortcut is just a link to the app itself. Widgets take up more space but show useful information at a glance. Shortcuts are smaller and just launch the app when you tap them.
Why can't I move certain apps on my home screen?
Some system apps on iPhone cannot be moved or removed. On Android, your launcher app determines what can be moved. If an app will not budge, try long-pressing it directly instead of long-pressing the home screen. If it still will not move, it may be a system app that your device does not allow you to reposition.
Can I use a live photo or video as my home screen background?
iPhone supports live wallpapers that animate or respond to touch. When setting your wallpaper, look for options labeled "Live" or "Dynamic." Android support for animated wallpapers depends on your phone model and launcher. Check your wallpaper settings to see if animated options are available.
How do I get my home screen back if I accidentally deleted an app?
Deleting an app from your home screen does not remove it from your phone. Swipe to your app library (iPhone) or app drawer (Android) to find it again. Long-press the app and select "Add to Home Screen" or drag it back onto your home screen. If you deleted the app itself, you can reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play.