Creating an app folder takes three taps

To create a folder on your iPhone home screen, press and hold any app icon until a menu appears, then tap Add to Home Screen and select Create New Folder. Name the folder, drag the first app into it, then drag additional apps in. The folder closes automatically when you tap outside it.

You can also create a folder by dragging one app directly onto another. When you hold down the first app icon and drag it over a second app, iOS automatically creates a folder and places both apps inside. This method is faster if you already know which apps you want grouped together.

Folders appear on your home screen just like regular apps. You can move them between screens, place them in the dock at the bottom of your iPhone, or organize them however you prefer. A folder can hold up to 135 apps across multiple pages within that folder.

Key Takeaways

  • Drag one app onto another to instantly create a folder containing both apps.
  • Long-press any app and choose Add to Home Screen to create a new folder from scratch.
  • Rename folders by tapping the name field at the top of the folder and typing a new name.
  • Move folders between home screens or into your dock the same way you move individual apps.
  • A single folder can hold up to 135 apps organized across multiple pages.

Dragging apps into existing folders

Once you have created a folder, adding more apps to it is straightforward. Press and hold any app icon on your home screen, then drag it over the folder you want to add it to. The folder will highlight when you drag an app over it, and the app will drop inside when you release your finger.

You can also open a folder and drag apps directly into it while the folder is open. This method works well if you want to see exactly where the app lands within the folder or if you want to organize apps across multiple pages within the same folder.

Renaming your folders

The name that appears under your folder is set automatically based on the category of apps inside. If you create a folder with games, it might automatically suggest "Games." You can keep this name or change it to something more specific.

To rename a folder, tap it to open it, then tap the name field at the top of the folder window. The text field becomes editable, and you can delete the current name and type a new one. Tap outside the text field or press the return key to save your new name.

Organizing apps across multiple pages within a folder

When a folder reaches its limit on one page, a second page is created automatically. You can see how many pages exist in a folder by looking at the dots at the bottom of the folder window — each dot represents one page. Swipe left or right within the open folder to move between pages.

You can manually move apps between pages by dragging them. Open the folder, drag an app to the edge of the screen, and swipe to the next page while still holding the app. Release it on the new page to place it there. This gives you full control over how apps are distributed across pages.

Moving folders between home screens and the dock

Folders behave like regular apps for placement. Press and hold a folder to move it to a different home screen, or drag it down to your dock at the bottom of the screen. The dock can hold up to four apps or folders, making it a convenient spot for your most-used folders.

To remove a folder from your dock, press and hold it and select Remove from Dock. To delete a folder entirely, press and hold it and tap Remove from Home Screen. This removes the folder but does not delete the apps inside — they remain on your home screen or in your app library.

Using the App Library instead of folders

iPhone also has a built-in App Library that automatically organizes all your apps by category without requiring you to create folders manually. Swipe to the rightmost home screen to see your App Library, which displays categories like Productivity, Health, Entertainment, and Games. Tap any category to see all apps within it.

The App Library is useful if you want automatic organization without managing folders yourself. However, folders give you more control over naming and placement. Many people use both — folders on their main home screens for frequently used apps, and the App Library as a backup for finding less-used apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a folder inside another folder?

No, iPhone does not support nested folders. You cannot place a folder inside another folder. However, a single folder can hold up to 135 apps across multiple pages, which is usually enough organization for most users.

What happens to a folder if I delete all the apps inside it?

The folder disappears automatically when you remove the last app from it. iOS does not keep empty folders on your home screen. If you want to keep a folder structure, you need at least one app inside it.

Can I see all the apps in a folder without opening it?

When you tap a folder, it opens and shows you the apps inside. You cannot view folder contents without opening it. The folder icon itself shows a preview of the first four apps inside, but to see the complete list, you must tap to open it.

How do I move an app out of a folder back to my home screen?

Open the folder, press and hold the app you want to remove, then drag it outside the folder window onto your home screen. Release it to place it on the home screen. The app is now separate from the folder.