Honestly, we've all been there. You download a new app, and suddenly your perfectly curated home screen is a mess. Or maybe you're just tired of swiping five times to find Instagram. If you're wondering how do I move app icons on iPhone, you're probably looking for the quickest way to fix that clutter without accidentally deleting half your library.
Apple has changed things a bit over the years. Gone are the days when you had to press just right to get the icons to shake. Now, it’s a bit more fluid, but there are still some hidden tricks—like moving ten apps at once—that most people totally miss.
The Basic Shuffle: How to Move a Single App
Most of the time, you just want to move one thing. Maybe move your Kindle app to the first page so you actually read more. It's simple, but there's a specific rhythm to it.
- Find the app you want to relocate.
- Long-press (basically, just hold your finger down) on the app icon.
- A menu will pop up. You can keep holding through the menu, or you can tap Edit Home Screen.
- Once the icons start doing that little "jiggle" dance, drag the app wherever you want it.
- When you've got it in the right spot, let go.
- Tap Done in the top right corner (on newer iPhones) or just click the Home button if you're rocking an older model.
If you want to move an app to a completely different page, drag it to the very edge of the screen. Hold it there for a second. The phone will "flip" to the next page. It feels a bit clunky sometimes—especially if you're trying to go across four pages—but it gets the job done.
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The Secret "Multi-Move" Hack
This is the one that blows people's minds. If you’re doing a massive reorganization, moving apps one by one is a nightmare. It takes forever. Instead, you can "bundle" them.
To do this, start by making one app jiggle. Start dragging it just a tiny bit so it's under your finger. Now, while still holding that first app, use a different finger (yes, use two hands for this) to tap other apps you want to move.
You’ll see them fly over and stack up under your first finger. A little number will appear showing you how many apps you've grabbed. You can grab ten, fifteen, or even more. Once you have your stack, just drag the whole pile to the new page and let go. They’ll all land in order. It's significantly faster than the old-school way.
Dealing with the App Library
Sometimes you don't want an app on your home screen at all, but you don't want to delete it either. This is where the App Library comes in.
If you want to move an app off your main screen, long-press it, tap Remove App, and then select Remove from Home Screen. It stays on your phone, hidden away in the library (which is the very last page if you keep swiping right).
Conversely, if you want to bring an app out of hiding:
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- Swipe right until you hit the App Library.
- Find the app (use the search bar if you have too many).
- Long-press and drag it to the left.
- It'll "pop" back onto your home screen.
Why Do My Icons Keep Flying Away?
A common frustration is the "magnetic" grid. Apple's software is designed so that icons always snap to a grid. If you try to place an app in a specific spot and another app is already there, the old app will scoot out of the way.
This often causes a "domino effect" where moving one icon messes up three pages of organization. To avoid this, try to move your icons from the back of the list to the front. Or, use the folder method to clear out space before you start moving things around.
Creating Folders to Save Space
If your screen is just too crowded, folders are your best friend. Just drag one app and hover it directly on top of another. The phone will automatically create a folder. You can rename it whatever you want—"Social," "Work," or just "Stuff I Never Use."
Personalizing the Look in 2026
With the latest updates in iOS, moving icons isn't just about position; it's about the look. You can now tint your icons to match your wallpaper or set them to a "dark" mode that looks much cleaner at night.
To do this, enter jiggle mode, tap Edit in the top left, and then Customize. You’ll see a menu at the bottom that lets you change the icon size (making them "Large" hides the text labels) and change the color tint. It’s a game-changer for making your phone feel less like a stock device and more like your device.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, the icons just won't move. It’s rare, but it happens. Usually, it's one of two things:
- Screen Time Restrictions: If you have certain parental controls or work profiles enabled, "Deleting Apps" or "Installing Apps" might be restricted, which can sometimes lock the layout. Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- A Simple Bug: If the jiggle mode won't trigger, just restart your phone. The "turn it off and back on again" rule still applies in 2026.
Next Steps for a Cleaner Phone
Now that you know the two-finger stack trick, the best thing to do is spend five minutes actually using it. Grab all those random utility apps you never open, throw them into one "Utility" folder, and move that folder to your second or third page.
Once you’ve cleared the deck, try using the Customize menu to turn on "Large" icons. Removing the text labels under the apps makes the whole interface look much more modern and less cluttered. If you realize you moved something you actually need, you can always find it in a split second by swiping down on the middle of the screen and typing the name into Spotlight search.
Actionable Insight: Start your reorganization by moving your "Dock" apps (the four at the bottom) first. Since those stay with you on every page, having your four most-used tools there—like Messages, Safari, or your Calendar—will save you more time than any other layout change.