Introduced in iOS 14, the App Library transformed the iPhone Home screen by offering a centralized dashboard for all installed apps. No more endless swiping through pages or digging into folders—everything is at your fingertips. But its potential goes far beyond basics. As an iPhone power user with years of optimizing workflows, I've uncovered ways to make it even more efficient.
For instance, switch it to a simple list view instead of categories, or hide apps from your Home screen while keeping them accessible here. Below, I'll share my top 9 App Library tips to streamline your experience.
App Library categories work like smart folders, but they don't show all apps at first glance. If a category has five or more apps, tap the cluster of icons in the lower-right corner to expand it fully.
Just like on the Home screen, long-press (Haptic Touch) any app icon in the App Library to reveal quick actions. Perfect for jumping straight to features like a Private tab in Safari or deleting apps on the fly.
Automatic categorization isn't always spot-on—Safari might land in Productivity while Chrome sits in Utilities. Swipe down on the App Library to instantly convert it to an alphabetical list. Use the right-side alphabet strip for lightning-fast navigation.
Declutter your Home screen by removing apps without deleting them. Long-press an icon, tap Remove App, then select Remove from Home Screen. Access them anytime via App Library or Spotlight search (swipe down on Home).
Prevent new App Store downloads from crowding your Home screen. Go to Settings > Home Screen and select App Library Only under New App Downloads.
Bring hidden apps back: Long-press in App Library, then tap Add to Home Screen. Or drag the icon directly to your desired spot.
With multiple Home pages, reaching App Library means extra swipes. Enter jiggle mode (long-press empty space), tap the page dots above the Dock, and uncheck unwanted pages—keep just one for essentials.
Apps in Library don't badge by default. Fix this in Settings > Home Screen by toggling Notification Badges on.
The top Suggestions folder uses machine learning to highlight recently used apps. Check it regularly—your next app is often right there.
These tips will revolutionize your iPhone workflow. Pair them with iOS 14's Smart Stack widgets for a truly customized Home screen.
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