The App Library is the final page past your Home Screens. It automatically groups every installed app into categories, even if the app does not have an icon on your Home Screen.
App Library is available on iOS 14 or later.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if your Home Screen is crowded, you cannot find an app, or you want new downloads to stay off the Home Screen.
Find and Open Apps
- Swipe left past your last Home Screen page until App Library appears.
- Browse the automatic categories such as Social, Utilities, or Entertainment.
- Tap a large app icon to open it.
- Tap the search field at the top to see an alphabetical app list and search by name.
Send New Apps Only to App Library
- Open Settings > Home Screen & App Library.
- Under Newly Downloaded Apps, choose App Library Only.
- Switch back to Add to Home Screen later if you want new icons placed on the Home Screen again.
Remove or Restore Apps
- Open App Library and use search if needed.
- Touch and hold an app and choose Delete App to remove it and its data completely.
- To put an app back on the Home Screen, touch and hold it and choose Add to Home Screen.
App Library Notes
Not Manually Arranged
App Library categories and order are managed by iOS and can change based on usage.
Suggestions
The Suggestions area shows apps iOS thinks you might want now. It is not a permanent folder you control.
Hide Home Screen Pages
For a very clean setup, touch and hold the Home Screen, tap page dots, and uncheck pages you do not want visible.
Not Hidden or Smaller
App Library does not hide apps from Screen Time or reduce storage. It is another way to browse installed apps.
Sources
- Apple Support: Organize the Home Screen and App Library on iPhone
- Apple Support: Change Home Screen settings on iPhone
- Apple Support: Delete apps on iPhone
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