App library on iPhone/iPad

applibrary-on-iphone-ipad

The app library provides an overview of all apps on the iPhone and iPad. Use it to get more peace of mind on the Home screens.


The app library is a way to display all the apps on an iPhone and iPad on one page. The apps are automatically grouped into categories. In addition, the app library is easily searchable and offers an alphabetical list of the apps.

The app library is on iPhones from iOS 14 and on iPads from iPadOS 15. In previous versions, all (downloaded) apps came on the Home screen. If the Home screen was full, an extra Home screen was added automatically. This principle has worked the same since iOS 14, but an option has been added. It is now also possible to no longer show or download an app on a home screen, but to save it in the app library.

The app library is behind the other Home screens.

  • Make sure a Home screen is displayed.
  • Swipe from right to left on the screen until you reach the app library.
  • Tap one of the apps in the overview to open it.
  • Don’t see the app you want? Tap at the top of the screen App library. An alphabetical list of the apps appears on the screen. From that list, tap an app. Or type the name of the app first.

To create space on the Home screens, it is possible to display apps only in the app library. Useful for apps you only use occasionally.

  • Go to the Home screen where the app is located.
  • Tap and hold the app until a menu appears.
  • Tap on Delete app.
  • In iOS 15, tap Remove from home screen. In iOS 14, tap Move to app library.

If there are many apps that you only want to keep in the app library, hiding a Home screen is also an option.

  • Tap and hold an empty area of ​​a Home screen until a menu appears.
  • Tap the dots at the bottom of the screen.
  • All home screens are displayed. Tap the circle below a screen to hide it.
  • Tap on Ready.
  • Tap again Ready.

Repeat the above steps to display a home screen again. Make sure there is a check mark in the circle below the Home screens that should appear.

As we mentioned, new apps used to appear automatically on the Home screen. With the arrival of the app library, you have the choice of whether new apps also appear on the Home screen or only in the app library.

  • Tap the app Institutions.
  • On the iPhone, tap Home screen. On the iPad, tap Home screen and Dock.
  • Under “New app downloads”, tap the desired choice.

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