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How to organize apps on your iPhone or Android

By Mint Fox

Originally published January 3, 2023

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Last Updated July 5, 2023

How to organize apps on your iPhone and Android screenshot

Just like a cluttered room, digital disorganization can impact your mental health. With screen time steadily on the rise, it’s now more important than ever to adopt healthy habits in our digital spaces, like learning how to organize apps on iPhone or Android. Forgotten apps can live rent free in an app library for months or even years. Eventually, that messy home screen can lead to unnecessary stress when memory begins running out and the interface starts slowing down

If this sounds familiar to you, you’re in the right place. We’ll take a look at how to move, categorize, and delete irrelevant to important applications so you can get the most out of your phone–or at least see your wallpaper again (baby steps). It’s time to go from kitchen-junk-drawer to immaculate-filing-cabinet. Ready? 

In this article

How to organize apps on iPhone

How to move apps on iPhone screenshot

How to move apps on iPhone

You might have noticed this already, but by long-pressing any app or widget (more on those later) on the home screen, you can undock an app from its default location.

  1. Hold down on the app you want to move 
  2. Wait for the apps to jiggle (they’re just excited for a makeover) 
  3. Move the app to a different location by dragging your finger 
  4. Drag fully to the left or right to place the app on another home screen panel 

Alternatively, long-pressing can open the selected app’s Preview functions. If that happens, simply tap “Edit Home Screen.” Got the basics down? Great, let’s move on. 

How to create a folder on iPhone screenshot

How to create a folder on iPhone

When categorizing apps, your imagination is the limit. You could go by the apps’ function or even by color. Whatever your criteria is, folders help to easily declutter.  

  1. Press and hold the app you would like to move into a folder
  2. Either tap “Edit Home Screen” in the pop-up or wait for the app to jiggle
  3. Drag the app on top of the other app you would like to combine into a new folder
  4. Title your new folder and repeat to add more apps inside

With folders you can save screen space, tidying up your home screen panels for widgets

How to use iPhone widgets 

Besides being fun to say, widgets are an easy way to declutter and spruce up a home screen. Instantly access information like your phone’s battery stats, the forecast, and what’s next in the playlist queue without having to open a single app. 

  1. Touch and hold an empty area on your home screen until the apps start jiggling
  2. Tap the “+” icon in the top right corner of the screen 
  3. Select the widget then tap “Add Widget” (You can also customize the size) 

How to use the App Library

The iPhone’s App Library is a great organizational tool that’s easy to use. Here are some of its basic functions: 

  1. It sorts your apps into a series of folders for you
  2. The search bar allows for quick-access to find what you’re looking for
  3. Apps you don’t want displayed on your home screen are stored here

To access the App Library, swipe left to the last home screen panel. To move an app from your home screen to the App Library, long-hold the app and select Remove From Home Screen. 

How to delete apps on iPhone 

The end of the road. It can be hard to let go, but sometimes goodbye’s the only option in the pursuit of happiness and hard drive space. 

  1. Touch and hold the app to open its Preview functions 
  2. Select “Remove App” in red

Alternatively, you can keep holding, wait for the app to jiggle, and press the “-” icon. 

Then, select “Remove App” in red. 

How to organize apps on Android

How to move Android apps 

You might have noticed this already, but by holding down any app or widget on the home screen, you can undock the app from its default location. 

  1. For a few seconds, hold down the app you want to move 
  2. Move the app to a different location by dragging your finger
  3. Drag fully to the left or right to place the app on another home screen panel  

How to add additional Android home screen panels 

Kudos if you can manage, but for us mortals, a single home screen panel isn’t enough. Adding additional panels can help prioritize your most important apps and avoid clutter. 

  1. For a few seconds, hold down on an empty space on your home screen 
  2. Swipe over to the right until you see the “+” icon
  3. Tap to add the additional panel 

How to create folders on your Android home screen 

You can get as creative as you want when categorizing apps. Your imagination is the limit, and folders are a great organizational tool to declutter your home screen. 

  1. For a few seconds, hold down the app you want to move into a folder 
  2. Drag the app on top of the other app you would like to combine into a new folder
  3. Drop the app when a folder frame appears around both apps
  4. Enter a funky folder name 

With folders you can save screen space, tidying up your home screen panels for widgets.

How to use Android shortcuts and widgets screenshot

How to use Android shortcuts and widgets

The original widget wielders, Android users know the convenience of a good app shortcut. Here’s a refresher course on how to widget like a pro. 

  1. For a few seconds, hold down on the empty space where the widget will be 
  2. Once the menu pops up, tap on “Widgets” 
  3. Select the app whose widget you’d like to add to your home screen
  4. Select the widget’s size and tap on “Add”

Check to see your favorite apps come with their own widgets. It makes for a better experience with your most used programs. 

Enjoy the fresh start

Once you apply the basics of how to organize apps on iPhone and Android, you’ll notice a difference in your smartphone enjoyment. Just by starting with a few small changes, prioritizing your digital self-care allows you to make your device totally your own.  

So the next time you’re feeling frustrated with your phone, ask yourself, “Do I really need this app?” Unless it’s the Mint Mobile app–you’ll definitely want to make space for that. Get a Minty fresh start on your phone renovation by checking out our premium wireless plans starting from $15/ mo*.

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*New activation & upfront payment for 3-month plan req’d. Taxes & fees extra. Addt’l restrictions apply. See mintmobile.com for full terms.

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