How To Remove Apps From The App Library Without Deleting?
Want to declutter your iPhone home screen without uninstalling apps? Here’s the deal: you can’t directly remove apps from the App Library. However, you can achieve the desired effect by removing them from your home screen, which essentially relegates them to the App Library – leaving them installed but hidden from immediate view.
Understanding the App Library and Home Screen Organization
The App Library, introduced with iOS 14, is designed to automatically organize all your apps into smart categories. This allows you to maintain a clean home screen without actually deleting any of your apps. Thinking of it as an app drawer, similar to what Android users have enjoyed for years, can help contextualize its utility.
Benefits of Using the App Library
- Decluttered Home Screen: A clean and organized home screen reduces visual clutter and improves usability.
- Easy Access to All Apps: The App Library ensures all your apps are still easily accessible, organized by category, and searchable.
- Saves Storage Space (Indirectly): While it doesn’t directly save storage, a decluttered home screen often leads to better app management, potentially leading to the uninstallation of rarely used apps.
- Improved Focus: A less cluttered home screen can minimize distractions and improve focus on the apps you frequently use.
How To Remove Apps From The App Library Without Deleting? (Indirect Method)
The process isn’t about removing from the App Library, but rather to the App Library. Here’s how to accomplish the effect of how to remove apps from the App Library without deleting?:
- Locate the App: Find the app you want to remove from your home screen.
- Long Press the App Icon: Press and hold down on the app icon until a menu appears.
- Select “Remove App”: Tap on the “Remove App” option in the menu.
- Choose “Remove from Home Screen”: A secondary prompt will appear. Select “Remove from Home Screen”. Choosing “Delete App” will completely uninstall the application.
- The App is Now in the App Library: The app will disappear from your home screen and will now only be accessible through the App Library.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Accidentally Deleting Apps: Always double-check that you’re selecting “Remove from Home Screen” and not “Delete App.”
- Forgetting Where Apps Are Located: Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the App Library’s organization so you can easily find apps you need.
- Assuming Removal Saves Storage: Remember, moving an app to the App Library doesn’t free up storage space.
Re-Adding Apps to Your Home Screen
You can easily restore apps from the App Library back to your home screen:
- Access the App Library: Swipe left until you reach the App Library.
- Find the App: Locate the app you want to add to your home screen.
- Long Press the App Icon: Press and hold down on the app icon.
- Select “Add to Home Screen”: Tap on the “Add to Home Screen” option. The app will reappear on your home screen, typically in the next available space.
App Library View Options: List View and Categories
The App Library offers two primary ways to navigate your apps:
- Categorical View: Apps are automatically grouped into folders like “Social,” “Entertainment,” and “Utilities.” This is the default view.
- List View: At the top of the App Library screen is a search bar. Tapping this reveals a list of all your apps in alphabetical order.
Understanding these views can help you quickly locate the apps you need.
Home Screen Customization: Hiding Entire Pages
Another tactic to consider alongside moving apps to the App Library is hiding entire home screen pages. This is beneficial if you have multiple pages filled with less frequently used apps. To hide a page:
- Enter Jiggle Mode: Long press on an empty area of your home screen until the app icons start to jiggle.
- Tap the Page Indicator: Tap the dots at the bottom of the screen representing your home screen pages.
- Uncheck the Pages to Hide: Uncheck the box below each page you want to hide.
- Tap Done: Tap “Done” in the upper right corner. The unchecked pages will be hidden but can be re-enabled at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I organize apps within the App Library categories?
No, the App Library’s organization is automatic and determined by iOS. You cannot manually move apps between categories.
Does the App Library affect app updates?
No, moving an app to the App Library does not impact its ability to receive updates. Apps will continue to update as normal.
What happens to widgets associated with an app when it’s only in the App Library?
Widgets are associated with apps on the home screen. If an app is only in the App Library, its widget cannot be displayed on your home screen.
Can I search for apps within the App Library?
Yes, at the top of the App Library screen is a search bar. Tapping this lets you quickly find any app by typing its name.
Does removing an app from the home screen affect its data?
No, removing an app from the home screen does not delete any of its data. The data remains intact until you completely uninstall the app.
Is there a way to disable the App Library completely?
No, the App Library is a core feature of iOS and cannot be disabled. However, you can choose to have new apps automatically added to your home screen as well as the App Library.
How do I make sure newly downloaded apps go only to the App Library?
Go to Settings > Home Screen. There you can select “App Library Only” under the “Newly Downloaded Apps” section. This will ensure that new apps are not added to the home screen automatically.
What happens to Siri Suggestions when I move apps to the App Library?
Siri Suggestions are based on your app usage. Moving an app to the App Library will not immediately affect Siri Suggestions, but if you rarely use the app after moving it, it may eventually be removed from the suggestions.
Does using the App Library improve battery life?
Indirectly, yes. A less cluttered home screen can lead to more focused usage and potentially less background activity, thus improving battery life slightly.
Can I password protect the App Library?
No, there is no built-in feature to password protect the App Library itself.
How is the App Library different from folders on the home screen?
Folders are manually created and organized by the user, while the App Library is automatically generated and organized by iOS. The App Library is dynamic, continuously updating as you add and remove apps.
If I remove all the apps from my home screen, will the App Library become the default view when I unlock my phone?
No, the home screen will still be the default view. However, you’ll need to swipe left to access the App Library. The iPhone will always default to the leftmost home screen page.