Too many apps, too little overview
Too many apps. Chaos on your screen. You know how it is: that moment when you have to swipe through five screens to find that one app. You've tried creating folders, but they just ended up a mess. Maybe you've even bought new accessories to be more productive, or paired your AirPods for hands-free control. But the problem isn't your gear. It's your approach.
Most people think they have to save everything "just in case." That you'll need that fitness app or meditation tool later. Nonsense. A tidy home screen doesn't start with moving apps, but with having the courage to throw them away . Less is more. And that certainly applies to your iPhone screen.
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The Basics: Why Clean Up Your Home Screen
Your iPhone home screen is more than just a collection of app icons. It's the gateway to everything you do with your phone every day. A cluttered screen wastes your time, energy, and causes unnecessary frustration. On average, we unlock our devices about 80 times a day. Just calculate how much time you waste searching for that one app amidst the chaos.
The problem often creeps in. You download a new app for a specific purpose, use it a few times, and then forget about it. Before you know it, you have five screens full of apps, half of which you no longer use. The solution isn't more organization, but making clear choices.
Step 1: The big clean-up
Remove apps that have outlived their usefulness
Start by deleting any apps you haven't touched in the past month. Don't worry about regrets later—you can always download any deleted app again for free from the App Store. This also applies to paid apps you've previously purchased.
Removal is simple:
- Press and hold an app icon until the menu appears
- Select 'Delete app'
- Confirm your choice
Want to remove multiple apps at once? Hold down an icon until all the apps start to wiggle. Tap the "X" next to each app you want to remove.
Applying the 80/20 rule
Take a critical look at which apps you actually use. You probably use 20% of your apps for 80% of your tasks. That fitness app you enthusiastically started using three months ago? If you don't open it now, you probably won't. Get rid of it.
Step 2: Smartly organize what remains
Place apps strategically
After the major cleanup, only the essential apps remain. Now it's all about smart placement. Your thumb doesn't reach every spot on the screen with equal ease. Right-handed users are best off placing their most important apps in the bottom right corner, while left-handed users are best off placing their most important apps in the bottom left corner.
The dock at the bottom of your screen is prime real estate. It holds four apps that you can access from any screen. Choose these spots carefully: think phone, messages, your favorite browser, and perhaps Spotify or your email app.
Work with zones
Divide your home screen into zones:
- Bottom half : daily apps (WhatsApp, Instagram, mail)
- Top half : less frequent apps or widgets
- Second screen : work apps or hobby apps
- Third screen and beyond : only if really necessary
Step 3: Create folders that work
Creating functional folders
Folders are useful, but only if you use them correctly. A folder with 50 apps isn't a solution; it just moves the problem. Keep folders small and logical.
You create a folder by:
- Drag an app onto another app
- Release as soon as a frame appears
- Give the folder a clear name
Good folder names include:
- 'Photo & Video' for camera, Instagram and editing apps
- 'Travel' for NS, 9292 and Booking
- 'Money' for banking and budgeting apps
Avoid generic folders
Folders like "Other" or "Miscellaneous" are a trap. You won't remember what's in them in a week. It's better to simply delete apps that don't fit anywhere.
Step 4: Using Widgets Effectively
Choose widgets that add value
Widgets take up a lot of space on your screen. Use them only if they truly save you time. A weather widget is handy if you check the weather often. A calendar widget helps with busy schedules. But decorative widgets without any function? Those should go.
Smart Stack for flexibility
The Smart Stack widget adapts based on your usage and time of day. It might show the weather in the morning, your calendar during the day, and your step count in the evening. This saves space without sacrificing functionality.
Step 5: Choosing the right background
Creating peace with your background
A busy background image makes your screen cluttered. Choose a solid color or a subtle gradient. This makes app icons more visible and creates a clean look.
You can set a new background via:
- Settings > Background
- Choose new background
- Select a photo or color
- Adjust the size if necessary
- Set for Home screen, Lock screen, or both
Additional tips for long-term success
Regular maintenance
Schedule a time each month to evaluate your screen. Remove any new apps you no longer use. This prevents clutter from piling up again.
Use Spotlight search
For apps you rarely use but want to keep, hide them on a separate screen and use Spotlight search (swipe down on your home screen) to find them quickly when you need them.
App library as a safety net
Since iOS 14, your iPhone has an App Library where all apps are automatically categorized. You can remove apps from your home screen but keep them in the library. This way, they remain available without taking up space.
The result: a screen that works for you
A tidy home screen isn't an end point, but an ongoing process. It's about making conscious choices about what you value. By consistently deleting unused apps and logically organizing what remains, you create a digital environment that supports you instead of distracting.
Your phone is a tool, not a collection of possibilities. Treat it as such, and you'll find yourself more productive and wasting less time searching and scrolling. Start decluttering today. Your future self will thank you.
Simple is better
A tidy home screen isn't rocket science. It's about daring to choose : which apps deserve a spot on your screen and which don't? Start by deleting them, organizing what's left, and keeping it simple. Whether you have a new iPhone or an older model, the principles remain the same.
Make it a habit to evaluate your screen monthly. This way, you'll prevent digital clutter from piling up again and stay in control of your phone , instead of the other way around.
