Editing your Apple App Library primarily involves customizing how new apps are added to your device, organizing your Home Screens, and managing app visibility. While the App Library automatically categorizes your apps, you have several ways to control its behavior and integrate it with your Home Screen experience.
Understanding the App Library
The App Library is the final page on your Home Screen, offering an organized view of all your apps. It automatically sorts apps into categories like "Productivity," "Social," and "Utilities," making it easier to find what you're looking for without cluttering your Home Screens. You can access it by swiping left past all your Home Screens.
Key Ways to Edit and Manage Your App Library
Here's how you can customize and manage your App Library and how apps appear on your iPhone or iPad:
1. Change Where New Apps Are Downloaded
You can decide whether newly downloaded apps appear on your Home Screen and in the App Library, or in the App Library only. This is a crucial setting for maintaining a tidy Home Screen.
To adjust this setting:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Scroll down and tap Home Screen & App Library.
- Under the "NEW APP DOWNLOADS" section, choose one of the following options:
- Add to Home Screen: New apps will appear on your Home Screen and also be added to the App Library.
- App Library Only: New apps will only appear in the App Library, keeping your Home Screen clear.
This setting gives you direct control over the initial placement of every new app you download from the App Store.
2. Move Apps from App Library to Home Screen
If an app is only in your App Library (or you prefer it on your Home Screen), you can easily move it.
Steps to move an app:
- Go to the App Library by swiping left past all your Home Screens.
- Locate the app you wish to move. You can either find it within its category or use the search bar at the top.
- Tap and hold the app icon until its menu appears or it begins to jiggle.
- Drag the app out of the App Library to the left onto your Home Screen.
- Release the app where you want it placed.
3. Remove Apps from Home Screen (but keep them in App Library)
To declutter your Home Screen without deleting an app entirely, you can remove it from the Home Screen while it remains accessible in the App Library.
Steps to remove an app from Home Screen:
- On your Home Screen, tap and hold the app icon you want to remove.
- From the pop-up menu, tap Remove App.
- Choose Remove from Home Screen. The app will no longer appear on your Home Screens but will still be available in the App Library.
4. Delete Apps Entirely
If you no longer need an app, you can delete it completely from your device.
Steps to delete an app:
- From the Home Screen:
- Tap and hold the app icon.
- Tap Remove App.
- Tap Delete App and confirm.
- From the App Library:
- Go to the App Library.
- Tap and hold the app icon you wish to delete.
- Tap Delete App and confirm.
5. Search for Apps in the App Library
Even though the App Library categorizes apps, a quick search can often be the fastest way to find a specific application.
To search:
- Swipe left to reach the App Library.
- Tap the search field at the top of the screen or swipe down from the middle of the screen.
- Start typing the name of the app. The list will filter in real-time.
- Tap the app to open it.
Summary of App Library Management Actions
| Action | How to Perform | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Change New App Download Location | Settings > Home Screen & App Library > Choose "Add to Home Screen" or "App Library Only" | New apps appear on Home Screen and/or App Library. |
| Move App from App Library to Home Screen | Tap and hold app in App Library, drag to Home Screen. | App now visible on both Home Screen and in App Library. |
| Remove App from Home Screen | Tap and hold app on Home Screen > Remove App > Remove from Home Screen. | App removed from Home Screen, remains in App Library. |
| Delete App Entirely | Tap and hold app (Home Screen or App Library) > Remove App > Delete App (or just Delete App from App Library). | App completely removed from device and App Library. |
| Find Apps in App Library | Swipe to App Library, use search bar at the top or alphabetical list. | Quickly locate and open any app on your device. |
By utilizing these options, you can effectively "edit" and manage your Apple App Library to create a personalized and streamlined experience on your iPhone or iPad. For more detailed information on managing your Home Screen and App Library, you can refer to Apple Support.
