To group iPhone apps, you primarily use folders on the Home Screen. This method helps organize multiple apps into a single icon, reducing clutter and making it easier to find what you need.
Grouping apps into folders is a quick way to tidy up your Home Screen, making navigation more efficient. It allows you to categorize apps based on their function, frequency of use, or any other system that makes sense to you.
Steps to Group Apps Using Folders
The fundamental way to group apps on your iPhone involves dragging one app icon onto another. This action automatically creates a new folder containing those two apps. You can then add more apps to this folder and customize its name.
Here's a step-by-step guide based on the standard iPhone organization method:
- Enter Jiggle Mode: On your Home Screen, touch and hold the Home Screen background until the apps begin to jiggle. This indicates you are in editing mode, allowing you to rearrange and group apps.
- Create a Folder: Drag an app onto another app. As soon as the first app is placed over the second, a new folder will appear, automatically populated with both apps.
- Add More Apps: While still in jiggle mode, drag other apps into the folder you just created. You can add as many apps as you like.
- Organize Within the Folder: A folder can contain multiple pages of apps. You can rearrange apps within the folder by dragging them around inside its view.
- Rename the Folder: To give your folder a descriptive name, touch and hold the folder icon while in jiggle mode. Tap the Rename option that appears, then enter a new name using the keyboard. Tap "Done" on the keyboard when finished.
- Exit Jiggle Mode: Once you've finished organizing, tap the "Done" button (usually in the top-right corner) or press the Home button (on iPhones with a Home button) to exit jiggle mode and save your changes.
Example: Organizing Social Media Apps
Let's say you have several social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. To group them:
- Touch and hold the Home Screen until apps jiggle.
- Drag the Instagram app onto the Facebook app. A new folder is created.
- Drag the Twitter app into the new folder.
- Drag the TikTok app into the new folder.
- Touch and hold the new folder icon.
- Tap "Rename".
- Type "Social" or "Social Media" and tap "Done".
- Tap "Done" on the Home Screen to exit jiggle mode.
Now, all your social media apps are neatly organized within a single "Social" folder.
Summary of Actions
Here's a quick look at the key actions:
| Action | How To | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Enter Jiggle Mode | Touch and hold Home Screen background | Enable app rearrangement/grouping |
| Create Folder | Drag one app onto another app | Start a new app group |
| Add Apps to Folder | Drag app into existing folder (while in jiggle mode) | Expand an existing group |
| Rename Folder | Touch and hold folder > Tap Rename > Enter name > Tap Done (keyboard) | Customize folder name |
| Exit Jiggle Mode | Tap "Done" or press Home button | Save changes and return to normal mode |
Using folders is the primary and most straightforward method provided by iOS for grouping apps directly on the Home Screen.
