The fastest way to reorder your favorites

On iPhone, the way you rearrange favorites depends on which app you're using. Most apps let you long-press (hold your finger on) a favorite, then drag it to a new spot. Some apps use an Edit button instead. The steps are slightly different for Safari bookmarks, Phone contacts, and Mail VIP lists, so this guide walks through each one.

The good news: you don't need to delete and re-add anything. Once you know where the edit mode is in your app, moving a favorite takes about five seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Most iPhone apps let you long-press a favorite and drag it to reorder, but some use an Edit button you tap first.
  • Safari bookmarks are reordered through the Bookmarks menu, not by long-pressing on the home screen.
  • Phone favorites (contacts you call most) are edited in the Phone app's Favorites tab, not in Contacts.
  • Mail VIP contacts are managed in Settings > Mail > VIP, separate from your main inbox.
  • If long-press doesn't work, look for an Edit, Manage, or three-dot menu button in that app.

Reordering favorites by long-pressing and dragging

In most apps—including Maps, Notes, Reminders, and many third-party apps—you reorder favorites by holding your finger on one until the app enters edit mode. The favorite will usually enlarge or show a small menu. Once it does, keep your finger pressed and drag it up or down to the position you want. Release your finger when it's in the right spot.

If the long-press doesn't trigger edit mode, try a slightly longer hold (two to three seconds). Some apps require you to wait for haptic feedback—a small vibration in your phone—before dragging begins.

After you release, the app saves the new order automatically. You don't need to tap a Save or Done button.

Using the Edit button in Phone and Mail

The Phone app's Favorites tab works differently. Open Phone, tap the Favorites tab at the bottom, then tap Edit in the top-left corner. Once Edit mode is on, you'll see three horizontal lines (called a handle) to the right of each contact. Press and hold that handle, then drag the contact up or down. Tap Done when you're finished.

Mail's VIP list uses a similar approach. Open Mail, tap the Mailboxes tab (bottom-left), scroll down to VIP, tap Edit, then drag contacts by their handles. The difference is that VIP is a separate list from your regular inbox—adding someone to VIP doesn't change where their regular mail goes.

Reordering Safari bookmarks on iPhone

Safari bookmarks don't reorder the same way as other favorites. Open Safari, tap the Bookmarks icon (it looks like an open book) at the bottom, then tap Edit in the top-right corner. You'll see the three-line handle next to each bookmark. Press and hold the handle and drag the bookmark to a new position. Tap Done when finished.

If your bookmarks are in a folder, you'll need to open that folder first, then tap Edit. Bookmarks saved to your home screen (which is different from Safari bookmarks) are reordered by long-pressing them directly on the home screen and dragging, just like app icons.

Moving favorites on your home screen

If you've added app shortcuts or website icons to your home screen and want to reorder them, long-press any icon until your phone enters jiggle mode (the icons will shake slightly). Once they're jiggling, drag any icon to a new spot. Press the home button or swipe up from the bottom to exit jiggle mode and save the new layout.

This method works for app icons, website shortcuts, and widget stacks. It's the same process whether you're moving one icon or rearranging your entire home screen.

What to do if edit mode won't set up

If long-pressing doesn't work in an app, look for an Edit, Manage, or Settings button. These are often in the top-left or top-right corner of the screen, or hidden behind a three-dot menu icon. Tap it, then look for the three-line handle next to each item—that's your signal that you can drag to reorder.

Some apps don't let you reorder favorites at all. In that case, the app removes items from your favorites list when you tap an X or Delete button, but doesn't let you manually change the order. Check the app's settings or help section if you're unsure whether reordering is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reorder favorites on my lock screen?

Lock screen shortcuts (the app icons at the bottom of your lock screen) are reordered by long-pressing the lock screen itself, then tapping Customize. From there, you can tap and hold each shortcut to drag it to a new position. This is separate from reordering favorites within apps.

Why won't my favorites stay in the order I put them?

Some apps automatically sort favorites alphabetically or by how often you use them, which overrides your manual order. Check the app's settings to see if there's a sort option you can turn off. If the app doesn't have that setting, it may not support custom ordering.

Do I need to do anything to save the new order?

No. Most apps save automatically when you release the favorite in its new position. If the app has a Done or Save button, tap it to confirm—but usually the order is locked in as soon as you finish dragging.

Can I reorder Siri Shortcuts favorites?

Yes. Open the Shortcuts app, tap the Library tab, then long-press any shortcut and drag it to reorder. You can also tap Edit in the top-left, then use the three-line handles to drag shortcuts into a new order.