Managing your apps effectively is crucial for maintaining a clutter-free and organized iPhone or iPad. The App Library, introduced in iOS 14 and iPadOS 15, is a powerful tool that helps you achieve this. Here’s how you can move apps in and out of the App Library.
Accessing the App Library
To access the App Library, start from your Home screen and swipe to the left until you see the App Library screen. Here, your apps are automatically sorted into categories such as Suggestions, Recently Added, Social, Entertainment, and more, based on their types and your usage.
Moving Apps to the App Library
To move an app from the Home screen to the App Library, follow these steps:
- Touch and Hold the App: Press down on the app icon until a pop-up menu appears.
- Remove App: Tap "Remove App" from the menu.
- Remove from Home Screen: Choose "Remove from Home Screen" to move the app to the App Library without deleting it.
You can also remove multiple apps by entering "Edit Home Screen" mode, where all the apps jiggle, and then tap the – icon on the apps you want to remove or drag them to the App Library.
Moving Apps from the App Library to the Home Screen
If you want to add an app from the App Library back to your Home screen, follow these steps:
- Long-Press on the Icon: Press down on the app icon in the App Library until a command menu appears.
- Add to Home Screen: Tap "Add to Home Screen" to move the app to the next available spot on your Home screen. The app will remain in the App Library as well.
Alternatively, you can enter "Edit Home Screen" mode, drag the app from the App Library to the Home screen, and place it where you prefer.
Searching for Apps in the App Library
If you're having trouble finding a specific app, you can search for it directly in the App Library:
- Open the App Library: Swipe to the App Library screen.
- Use the Search Field: Tap the search field at the top and start typing the name of the app you're looking for.
- Open the App: Tap the app icon to launch it.
You can also swipe down on the App Library screen to view an alphabetical list of all your apps and tap a letter on the right-hand side to quickly find apps starting with that letter.
Deleting Apps from the App Library
To delete an app entirely from your device, follow these steps:
- Open the App Library: Swipe to the App Library screen.
- Touch and Hold the App: Press down on the app icon until a command menu appears.
- Remove App: Tap "Remove App" and then "Delete App" to confirm the deletion.
Moving Multiple Apps at Once
While the App Library does not support moving multiple apps between folders within the library, you can move multiple apps from the App Library to the Home screen using a workaround:
- Enter Jiggle Mode: Long-press on an app until all the icons start jiggling.
- Select Multiple Apps: While holding one app, use another finger to tap on other apps you want to move. This creates a stack of apps.
- Drag to Home Screen: Drag the stack of apps to the Home screen and place them where you prefer.
Limitations of the App Library
It's important to note that you cannot move apps from one folder to another within the App Library. If an app is categorized in the wrong folder, you can provide feedback to Apple for future improvements, but currently, there is no way to manually change the folder.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your apps using the App Library, keeping your Home screen organized and clutter-free.