How To Add An App Back To Home Screen
12 Ways to Add an App Back to Home Screen: iPhone + Android

  • Check inside app folders on your home screen to see if the app has been placed there.
  • Go to the App Library (iPhone) or app drawer (Android) to add an app to the home screen.
  • Uninstall and reinstall the app if it can’t be added to the home screen.
  1. 1 Look inside app folders on a home screen. If you have app folders on one of your home screen pages, follow these steps to move an app outside the folder:
    • Tap the app folder. It’s a dark gray square containing multiple apps.
    • Tap, hold, and drag the app outside of the border of the folder.
    • Release your finger to place the app on the home screen outside of the app folder.
  2. 2 Add the app from your App Library. If you can’t find the app you’re looking for on a home screen page or in an app folder, it will be in your App Library. To :
    • Swipe all the way to the right from a home screen page. This will take you to the App Library screen.
    • Tap the App Library search bar at the top of the screen.
    • Search for the app you’re looking for.
    • Tap and hold the app to open its context menu.
    • Tap Add to Home Screen, The app will appear in an open space on a home screen page.

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  3. 3 Uninstall and reinstall the app. If you can’t add the app the home screen, but it does appear in the App Library, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app:
    • Swipe all the way to the right from a home screen page. This will take you to the App Library screen.
    • Tap the App Library search bar at the top of the screen.
    • Search for the app you’re looking for.
    • Tap and hold the app to open its context menu.
    • Tap Delete App,
    • Reinstall the app from the App Store.
  4. 4 Find deleted apps. If you think the app has been completely uninstalled from the phone, you can and reinstall it:
    • Open the App Store. It’s a blue icon with a white “A” on it.
    • Tap the profile button in the top right of the app.
    • Tap Purchased,
    • Search for the deleted app.
    • Tap the cloud icon next to the deleted app to reinstall it.
  5. 5 Unhide a home screen page. Sometimes an entire home screen page can be hidden, preventing you from accessing the apps on that page. To unhide a page:
    • Go to any home page screen.
    • Tap and hold an empty space on the screen. This will switch the home pages to edit mode.
    • Tap the circles at the bottom of the home page, above the quick access bar.
    • Tap the circle under the hidden home screen page. It will fill in with a check mark.
    • Tap an empty space in the page edit menu.
    • Tap an empty space on the home page to exit edit mode.
  6. 6 Turn off an app’s content restriction. If you can’t find an app on the home screen or in the App Library, it may be hidden by the content restriction feature. To allow an app:
    • Open the Settings app from a home screen page. It’s a gray gears icon.
    • Tap Screen Time,
    • Select Content & Privacy Restrictions,
    • Enter the Screen Time code.
    • Tap Allowed Apps,
    • Toggle on the app you want to enable.
  7. 7 Reset the layout of your home screen to the default format. This will restore your home screen to the factory default settings, revealing hidden default apps and removing any folders. To reset the home screen:
    • Open the Settings app from a home screen page. It’s a gray gears icon.
    • Tap General,
    • Tap Transfer or Reset,
    • Tap Reset,
    • Tap Reset Home Screen Layout,
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  1. 1 Look inside app folders on a home screen. If you have app folders on one of your home screen pages, follow these steps to move an app outside the folder:
    • Tap the app folder.
    • Tap, hold, and drag the app outside of the border of the folder.
    • Release your finger to place the app on the home screen outside of the app folder.
  2. 2 Add the app from the app drawer. If the app is downloaded on your device but doesn’t appear on the home screen, you can add it to a home screen from the app drawer. To do so:
    • Swipe from the bottom edge of your screen to the top edge. This will open the app drawer.
    • Tap, hold, and drag the app. You’ll see each home screen appear. (You can if needed.)
    • Move the app to a home screen and release your finger.
  3. 3 Re-enable apps. Some apps can be disabled without being deleted, hiding them from the home screen and app drawer. To re-enable an app:
    • Open the Google Play Store. It’s a triangle made of yellow, red, blue, and green shapes.
    • Tap the profile button.
    • Select Manage apps & device,
    • Tap Manage,
    • Tap the app you want to re-enable.
    • Tap Enable,
  4. 4 Unhide hidden apps. Apps can be hidden from the home screen and app drawer without being deleted. To unhide these apps:
    • Swipe from the bottom edge of your screen to the top edge. This will open the app drawer.
    • Tap the ⋮ button in the top right of the app drawer.
    • Select Hide apps,
    • Unselect apps that you want to unhide.
  5. 5 Uninstall and reinstall the app. If you can’t add the app the home screen, but it does appear in the app drawer, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app:
    • Open the Google Play Store. It’s a triangle made of yellow, red, blue, and green shapes.
    • Tap the profile button.
    • Select Manage apps & device,
    • Tap Manage,
    • Tap the app you want to uninstall.
    • Tap Uninstall,
    • Reinstall the app from the Google Play Store.
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Ask a Question Advertisement This article was written by and by wikiHow staff writer,, Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan’s Tech Garage.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 60,224 times. : 12 Ways to Add an App Back to Home Screen: iPhone + Android

How do I get my apps back on my iPhone?

App Store. From within your iPhone, open the App Store and search for the app you are trying to reinstall. Then simply re-download it. For paid apps you have already purchased it might seem that you have to repurchase at first.

How do I restore an app that disappeared?

Navigate to Settings > Apps & Notifications > See all apps. You’ll see a drop-down tab named ‘All apps’ at the top of the screen. Tap it and select ‘Disabled apps’. If the missing app is among the disabled, tap it and click ‘Enable’ below the screen.

How do I get an app back after I remove it from my Home Screen?

Look for the App Inside the Folders If an app has gone missing from your iPhone or Android phone, start by looking in the folders on your phone’s home screen. You might have accidentally moved the app to a folder. If you find the app inside any folder, simply long-press it and then drag it to the home screen.

Why do apps disappear from iPhone home screen?

Part 4. Summary – I believe that there is a workable method for you to fix the issue that apps disappeared on iPhone. If you haven’t decided yet, I think TunesKit iOS System Recovery is the best method for you to choose. It can not only fix a certain method but is also effective in fixing other common iOS issues.

Does removing app from home screen delete it?

Does Deleting an App Mean the Same Thing as Uninstalling It? A Guide for iPhone and Android

Yes, deleting an app removes the program and all its data. However, the app will still be linked with your Apple account through your purchase history. That means if you paid to purchase the app, you won’t have to pay again should you choose to reinstall it. Advertisement

  1. 1 Delete apps straight from the home screen. Press and hold the app icon. Then, hit “Remove.” Next, choose between “Delete App” and “Remove from Home Screen.” Deleting an app will erase all its data.
    • Removing an app from the home screen (rather than deleting it) will send it to your app library. Access your app library by swiping left past all your home screens until you’re shown several folders of apps.
  2. 2 Offload iPhone apps to remove the app without removing its data. Try this temporary method if you want to free up storage but still save your data associated with an app. Offloading apps means you won’t be able to open or use them, but your data will be preserved. Go to “Settings,” then hit “iPhone Storage.” Scroll through the apps until you find one to offload. Hit “Offload App”.
    • If you redownload an offloaded app, all your app data and progress will still be there.
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  1. You can delete some pre-installed apps but can only hide others. On the home screen, touch and hold the app you’d like to delete until it starts to jiggle. Tap “Remove App.” Tap “Delete.”
    • If you can’t delete the app, you can still hide the app. Just hit “Remove” and then “Remove from Home Screen.”
    • Deleting a pre-installed app will also delete it from your Apple Watch if you’ve paired the devices.
  1. You can hide (but not fully delete) apps from iCloud’s purchase history. Go to the app store and click your profile icon in the upper right hand corner. Click “Purchased” to see your apps. Swipe left on any app you’d like to hide from your purchase history. The option to hide will pop up. Tap the “hide” icon, then tap “done.”
    • If you use Family Sharing, the app won’t appear for your family to download and won’t appear in their purchases.
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  1. Yes, on Android devices “uninstall” is the same thing as “delete”. When you remove an app you purchased, you can still reinstall it without having to pay again. However, deleting apps on Android won’t always delete all of the app’s files and associated data. Take these steps before you delete an Android app in order to fully uninstall it:
    • Go to your device’s “Settings” and select “Apps & notifications.”
    • Find the app you want to uninstall, and hit “Storage.”
    • Select “Clear data” and “Clear cache.”
    • If your app has a “Manage data” option (for bookmarks, stored passwords, etc.), clear that data, too.
  1. 1 The first option is to delete apps through your settings. This method works on all Android phones. Click “Apps & notifications” (or it might just say “Apps”). Locate the app you want to delete. Select the app, tap on “Uninstall,” and hit “OK.”
  2. 2 The second option is to remove apps through the Google Play Store. This option is great for removing multiple apps at one time. Open the Play Store, tap your account profile, and hit “Manage apps & device.” Then select the “Manage” tab. Click the check box next to the apps you want to uninstall. Tap the trash can icon, and select “Uninstall” to delete the apps.
  3. 3 The third option is to uninstall apps through the app drawer. This is a quick and easy option that works for apps both on the home screen and in the drawer. Tap and hold the apps you want to get rid of and drag them to the “Uninstall” area that will pop up on the screen. Click “OK.”
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  1. You can only disable (not delete) pre-installed apps in most cases. Disabling apps means they’ll revert back to their original version and never run. While they stay installed, they take up less space. Here’s how to do it:
    • Go to “Settings,” then “Apps & notifications.”
    • Hit “See all apps.”
    • Find the app you’d like to disable and click it.
    • Tap “Disable” under the app name and you’re done!
  1. No, you can’t remove purchases from your transaction history. The only way to delete your Google Play purchase history is to delete your Google account. Deleting your Google Account will delete all your data and content, too (like emails, photos, and files). You’ll no longer be able to use other Google services associated with that account, like Gmail. Here’s how to delete your account:
    • Go to
    • Hit “Data and personalization.”
    • Scroll until you see “Download, delete, or make a plan for your data.”
    • Hit “Delete service or your account.”
    • Click “Delete your account.”
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Ask a Question Advertisement Co-authored by: Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist This article was co-authored by and by wikiHow staff writer,, Josef Storzi is an Apple and Mobile Phone Repair Specialist and the Owner of Imobile LA, a mobile phone repair company based in Los Angeles, California.

Josef specializes in repairing screens, charging ports, batteries, water damage, speakers, and microphones on all mobile phone brands including Apple, Samsung, LG, Nokia, and Sony. He also specializes in tablet, laptop, and computer repairs as well as the pros and cons of recent mobile software updates.

This article has been viewed 35,292 times.

  • Co-authors: 4
  • Updated: August 19, 2021
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 35,292 times. : Does Deleting an App Mean the Same Thing as Uninstalling It? A Guide for iPhone and Android

Why did apps disappear from home screen?

An app has disappeared from the Application screen (Android 9 or higher) Article ID : 00273604 / Last Modified : 05/16/2023 The following are possible reasons why an app no longer appears on the Application screen:

  • The app has been deleted.
  • The app has been disabled.
  • The app has been hidden. For example, some Xperia® devices that run on Android™ version 4.2 or higher can hide apps from the Apps screen.

Try these actions one after the other. Verify whether the problem was solved after each step before moving on to the next step.

  • Verify what apps are installed on your device.
  • Download and reinstall the app from Google Play™. If you are missing a third-party app from the App screen, you may have uninstalled it.
  • Enable the app in the Settings menu. If you are missing a pre-installed app on the App screen, you may have disabled it by mistake. Sony apps, such as the Music, Album, Alarm, and Messaging applications, have a Disable/Enable option. Some Google™ apps, such as Chrome, may also have the Disable/Enable option. All other third-party apps can be uninstalled.
  • Reset the app preferences. Devices that run on Android™ version 4.1 or higher include resetting the app preferences. This action resets all disabled apps, disabled app notifications, default applications for specific activities, and background data restrictions for apps.
  • Rearrange the apps on the App screen. Then, select the Custom/Own order or By name/Alphabetical in the App screen menu.

Why have apps disappeared from my iPhone?

Part 4. Summary – I believe that there is a workable method for you to fix the issue that apps disappeared on iPhone. If you haven’t decided yet, I think TunesKit iOS System Recovery is the best method for you to choose. It can not only fix a certain method but is also effective in fixing other common iOS issues.

Why did apps disappear from Home Screen?

An app has disappeared from the Application screen (Android 9 or higher) Article ID : 00273604 / Last Modified : 05/16/2023 The following are possible reasons why an app no longer appears on the Application screen:

  • The app has been deleted.
  • The app has been disabled.
  • The app has been hidden. For example, some Xperia® devices that run on Android™ version 4.2 or higher can hide apps from the Apps screen.

Try these actions one after the other. Verify whether the problem was solved after each step before moving on to the next step.

  • Verify what apps are installed on your device.
  • Download and reinstall the app from Google Play™. If you are missing a third-party app from the App screen, you may have uninstalled it.
  • Enable the app in the Settings menu. If you are missing a pre-installed app on the App screen, you may have disabled it by mistake. Sony apps, such as the Music, Album, Alarm, and Messaging applications, have a Disable/Enable option. Some Google™ apps, such as Chrome, may also have the Disable/Enable option. All other third-party apps can be uninstalled.
  • Reset the app preferences. Devices that run on Android™ version 4.1 or higher include resetting the app preferences. This action resets all disabled apps, disabled app notifications, default applications for specific activities, and background data restrictions for apps.
  • Rearrange the apps on the App screen. Then, select the Custom/Own order or By name/Alphabetical in the App screen menu.

Why are apps not showing on my iPhone screen?

2. Enable show apps on iPhone home screen – By enabling these settings, you can ensure all the installed apps appear on the homescreen.

  1. Open Settings,
  2. Select Home Screen,
  3. Toggle on Show on Home Screen,

Even if the app is not on the home screen after installing, you can do the following trick.

Why are my installed apps not showing on iPhone?

What to Know –

  • To find a missing downloaded app, search your App Library or Spotlight search, then long-press the app to add it back to your Home Screen.
  • If multiple apps are missing, check for hidden Home Screens.
  • If you can’t find an app, it might have been deleted. You can reinstall it from the App Store.

Are you finding that newly downloaded apps are no longer appearing on your Home Screen? Your App Library settings may have been changed accidentally, or with an update. If your recently downloaded apps are not showing up, we’ll explain why and how to fix it for good.