Are you struggling to find a specific app on your iPhone and want to bring it back to your home screen? Look no further! In this detailed and comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of putting an app back on your iPhone’s home screen. Whether you accidentally deleted it or it mysteriously disappeared, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started!
Accessing the App Library
To begin the process of putting an app back on your iPhone’s home screen, you need to access the App Library. The App Library is a new feature introduced in iOS 14 that organizes all your installed apps into categories for easy access. Here’s how you can access it:
Step 1: Swipe Right on the Home Screen
Start by swiping right on your iPhone’s home screen until you reach the last page. This action will take you to the App Library, where you can find all your installed apps.
Step 2: Navigating the App Library
Once you’re in the App Library, you’ll notice that the apps are organized into different categories, such as Suggestions, Recently Added, and more. You can scroll up and down to explore these categories and find the app you want to put back on your home screen.
Finding the App
Now that you’re in the App Library, it’s time to locate the app you want to bring back to your home screen. Here are a few methods to help you find the app quickly:
Method 1: Scroll Through the Categories
If you have an idea of which category the app belongs to, you can scroll through the categories in the App Library to find it. For example, if you’re looking for a social media app, you can check the “Social” category.
Method 2: Use the Search Bar
If you’re not sure which category the app is in or if you simply want a quicker way to find it, you can use the search bar at the top of the App Library. Tap on the search bar and start typing the name of the app. As you type, the search results will update in real-time.
Method 3: Use Siri Suggestions
If you frequently use the app and it’s part of your daily routine, you might find it in the Siri Suggestions category. Siri learns your usage patterns and suggests relevant apps based on your behavior. Swipe left on the App Library screen to access Siri Suggestions.
Long-Pressing the App Icon
Once you’ve found the app you want to put back on your home screen, it’s time to take action. Long-pressing the app icon is the next step in the process. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Press and Hold the App Icon
With your finger, press and hold the app icon until it enters what is known as the “jiggly” mode. In this mode, the icons on the screen will start wiggling, indicating that you can now interact with them.
Step 2: Enter Edit Mode
When the app icons are in the “jiggly” mode, you have entered edit mode. This mode allows you to move, rearrange, and delete apps from your home screen. It gives you complete control over the layout and organization of your apps.
Step 3: Be Careful Not to Trigger Other Actions
While in edit mode, be mindful not to accidentally trigger other actions. For example, if you press too hard on an app icon, you may activate the 3D Touch or Haptic Touch feature, which can display additional options or menus for the app. Keep your touch gentle and focused on moving the app icon.
Dragging the App to the Home Screen
Now that you’re in edit mode, it’s time to move the app icon from the App Library to your home screen. Follow these steps to drag the app icon:
Step 1: Lift Your Finger
With the app icon in “jiggly” mode, lift your finger slightly off the screen. This action will detach the app icon from its original position and prepare it for dragging.
Step 2: Move Your Finger to the Home Screen
While still holding down on the app icon, move your finger to the home screen. You can swipe left or right to navigate between different home screen pages. Position your finger over the desired page or folder where you want to place the app icon.
Step 3: Drop the App Icon
Once you’ve reached the desired location on the home screen, release your finger. The app icon will be dropped onto the home screen, and it will now appear as a new icon in that location.
Placing the App in the Desired Location
Now that the app icon is on your home screen, it’s time to place it in the exact location you want. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Rearrange the App Icons
If you’re not satisfied with the current arrangement of your home screen icons, you can rearrange them before placing the new app icon. Simply long-press on any app icon and move it to the desired location. As you move the app icons, they will make space for the new app icon.
Step 2: Find the Perfect Spot
Take your time to find the perfect spot for the app icon. You can position it anywhere on the home screen, depending on your preference and organization style. You may choose to place it in a prominent location for easy access or group it with similar apps to create a themed section.
Step 3: Drop the App Icon
Once you’ve found the desired location, release your finger to drop the app icon. It will settle into the chosen spot, and you can now interact with it like any other app on your home screen.
Exiting the App Library
After successfully placing the app icon on your home screen, it’s time to exit the App Library and return to your regular home screen. Follow these steps to exit:
Step 1: Swipe Left or Right
To exit the App Library, simply swipe left or right on the screen. This action will transition you back to your regular home screen, where you can see all your apps, including the one you just put back.
Step 2: Press the Home Button (if applicable)
If your iPhone has a physical home button, you can also use it to exit the App Library. Press the home button once, and it will take you back to your home screen.
Organizing Apps on the Home Screen
Now that you have successfully put the app back on your home screen, you might want to take the opportunity to organize your apps and improve the overall layout. Here are a few tips for organizing your apps on the home screen:
Create Folders for Similar Apps
If you have multiple apps that belong to the same category or serve a similar purpose, it’s a good idea to create folders to keep them organized. Long-press on an app icon until it enters the “jiggly” mode, then drag it onto another app to create a folder. You can then name the folder and add more apps to it. For example, you can create a folder named “Social Media” and place all your social media apps inside.
Rearrange Apps Based on Usage
Consider rearranging your apps based on your usage patterns. Place the apps you use most frequently in easily accessible locations on your home screen. This way, you won’t have to search for them every time you want to use them. Rearrange the apps according to your preferences and prioritize the ones you use the most.
Create Multiple Home Screen Pages
If you have a large number of apps and want to avoid cluttering a single home screen page, you can create multiple pages. To do this, simply drag an app icon to the right edge of the screen until a new blank page appears. You can then continue adding more apps to this page or create additional pages as needed.
Use Widgets for Quick Access
iOS 14 introduced widgets that provide quick access to app information or functionality right from the home screen. Consider adding widgets for your frequently used apps to save time and streamline your workflow. To add a widget, long-press on the home screen, tap the “+” button at the top left corner, and select the desired widget from the list.
Q: What do I do if I can’t find the app in the App Library?
A: If you can’t locate the app in the App Library, it’s possible that you have accidentally deleted it. In that case, you can restore the app from the App Store by following these steps:
1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your profile picture or the “Today” tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap on your profile picture again at the top right corner.
4. Scroll down and find the “Purchased” section.
5. Tap on “My Purchases” and search for the app you want to restore.
6. Tap the download icon next to the app to reinstall it on your home screen.
Q: Can I rearrange the apps on my home screen after putting them back?
A: Absolutely! You can always rearrange your apps on the home screen by long-pressing an app icon and moving it to your desired location. You can also create folders and organize your apps into different categories. Customizing the home screen layout is all about personalizing it to fit your preferences and needs.
Q: Will putting an app back on the home screen delete any of my data or settings?
A: No, putting an app back on the home screen will not delete any of your data or settings. It simply makes the app easily accessible from your home screen again, just like it was before. Your app data and settings remain intact, ensuring a seamless transition back to the home screen.
Conclusion
Putting an app back on your iPhone’s home screen is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. By accessing the App Library, locating the app, long-pressing the app icon, dragging it to the home screen, and placing it in the desired location, you can quickly regain access to any app you need. Additionally, you can organize your apps, create folders, customize your home screen layout, and even add widgets for enhanced functionality. Now that you have this comprehensive guide, you’ll never have to worry about losing an app on your iPhone again!