Customizing your iPhone home screen allows for a more organized and personalized experience. Multiple home screens enable the user to segregate apps and widgets according to their preference or usage. With the latest iOS updates, creating and managing multiple home screens has become more straightforward. Users now have the flexibility to design a layout that best suits their day-to-day needs, improving both functionality and access.
To set up multiple home screens on an iPhone, a user typically starts by pressing and holding an app to enter the editing mode, where apps can be dragged to new positions or to another screen. For further personalization, widgets can be added, and with each new iOS release, the process has evolved to include more advanced features like Smart Stacks and the App Library, which automatically organizes apps into categories.
Advanced personalization techniques can also be employed to create a unique user interface. Features such as hiding pages for a cleaner look and using custom app icons and widgets are available to enhance the individuality of each home screen. By understanding how these features work, an iPhone user can create a tailored experience that optimizes workflow and reflects personal style.
How Multiple Home Screens Work
- Every page of apps is considered a separate Home Screen.
- You can add, rearrange, or delete Home Screens based on what you need.
- iOS lets you hide certain Home Screens, which is great if you want to simplify things temporarily without deleting apps.
How to Add More Home Screens
- Tap and hold on an empty area of your Home Screen (or on an app icon) until the apps start jiggling.
- Drag an app to the right edge of your screen. This creates a new blank page (aka a new Home Screen).
- Drop the app on the new page and add more apps/widgets as you like.
- Tap Done in the top right corner (on newer iPhones) when you’re finished.
How Many Can You Have?
You can have up to 15 Home Screen pages on iOS 16 and later. If you go beyond that, you’ll have to remove or hide a screen to make room for new ones.
Hide or Show Home Screens
- Press and hold on the Home Screen.
- Tap the page dots at the bottom.
- You’ll see thumbnails of each Home Screen. Check or uncheck them to show or hide.
Fun Fact
With App Library (introduced in iOS 14), you don’t need to clutter all your Home Screens anymore. You can hide entire pages and just swipe to the App Library to find what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Organizing your iPhone with multiple home screens caters to personal preferences and usage.
- Pressing and holding an app allows users to edit and move apps between screens.
- Advanced customization is available for creating unique home screen layouts.
Setting Up Your iPhone Home Screen
Adjusting your iPhone Home Screen to fit your style and needs makes accessing your apps faster. With iOS 15 and iOS 16, Apple has provided more flexibility than ever for this personalization.
Adding and Removing Apps and Widgets
To add an app on your Home Screen, enter ‘jiggle mode’ by long-pressing any app until all the icons start to wiggle. Tap the plus sign to browse the App Library and select an app to add. You can also add widgets for quick info by tapping the plus icon in the top-left corner of the screen in jiggle mode and choosing a widget. To remove an app, tap the minus sign on the app in jiggle mode and confirm deletion.
Organizing Apps and Creating Folders
To move apps, just drag them around in jiggle mode. Place one app over another to create a folder and organize similar apps together. The dock at the bottom of the Home Screen can hold apps you use frequently for quick access. Remember to press ‘Done’ when you finish moving apps or widgets to save your layout.
Utilizing the App Library
The App Library, introduced in iOS 14, automatically organizes all your apps into categories. Swipe left on the Home Screen to access it. If you’d like an app to not appear on your Home Screen, you can remove it and find it later in the App Library. It keeps your Home Screen uncluttered while ensuring all apps remain within reach.
Advanced Home Screen Features and Personalization
iPhone users can take advantage of iOS 16’s capabilities to customize their home and lock screens for a more personalized experience. Enhanced features include changing wallpapers, setting up Focus modes, and organizing apps strategically for swift access.
Changing Wallpapers and Lock Screens
Users can select different wallpapers for their home and lock screens by pressing and holding the lock screen, then tapping ‘Customize’. This allows users to swipe through various lock screen layouts. By tapping ‘Add New’, users can choose a new wallpaper. They can toggle between multiple home and lock screens with different wallpaper themes, matching their styles or moods.
Implementing Focus Modes
Focus modes help users control their iPhone notifications based on activities like work, personal time, or sleep. Each Focus can have a unique home screen with relevant apps and widgets for that mode. To activate or set up a Focus, go to Settings, select Focus, and choose the mode. Then customize it by linking it to a specific home screen layout.
Strategic App Placement and Spotlight Search
For efficient navigation, users can place apps on their home screen according to usage patterns. Users can alphabetically organize app icons or leverage the search bar to find apps quickly with Spotlight search. To add app icons to the home screen, users can locate the app with Spotlight and drag it to the desired location. Users with the iPhone 16 Pro Max or other compatible models enjoy smooth upgrades and setting changes for a streamlined experience.
