To add the phone app back to your home screen, use your device's app library or app drawer to find the app and then place it on your desired home screen page. The exact steps differ between iPhone and Android, but the core process is the same: locate the app in the system view that shows all your installed apps, then drag or add it to your home screen.
How to add the phone app back to your home screen on iPhone
- Swipe left past all your home screen pages until you reach the App Library.
- Find the Phone app. You can scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top.
- Touch and hold the Phone app icon until a menu appears.
- Choose Add to Home Screen from the menu. Alternatively, you can drag the app icon directly from the App Library to a home screen page of your choice.
This method works on any iPhone running a recent version of iOS. The App Library is always available by swiping past your last home screen page, making it the fastest way to restore a missing app without resetting anything.
How to add the phone app back to your home screen on Android
- Swipe up from your home screen to open the app drawer. This shows every app installed on your device. The app drawer icon is usually a small square or circle with a grid of dots inside.
- Locate the Phone app. You can scroll through the list or use the search bar if your device has one.
- Touch and hold the Phone app icon. A menu may include options like 'Pin to Home screen'.
- Drag it to an open spot on any home screen page and release.
On some Samsung Galaxy phones, after touching and holding the app in the app drawer, you may see an Add to Home option appear instead of needing to drag. Tap that to place the icon on your current home screen. If the Phone app is installed but not showing, uninstalling and reinstalling it from the Play Store can resolve the issue and make it appear.
Reset your iPhone home screen layout to restore the phone app
If you cannot find the Phone app in the App Library or prefer to restore the original layout, you can reset your iPhone home screen to its factory defaults. This will bring back the Phone app along with all other default apps in their original positions.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset Home Screen Layout.
- Confirm the action.
Be aware that this removes any custom folders, widget placements, and app arrangements you have set up. Only use this method if you are willing to lose your current home screen organization. On Android, reset the home screen layout by navigating to Settings > Apps/Applications > Home screen/Home screen settings > Reset home screen layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the phone app is deleted from my device?
On iPhone, the Phone app cannot be deleted. If it is missing from your home screen, it is either in the App Library or your home screen layout has been altered. On Android, the Phone app is a system app that cannot be uninstalled on most devices. If it is truly gone, check your app drawer first; if it is not there, you may need to re-enable it in your device's app settings rather than reinstalling it from the Play Store.
Can I customize where the phone app icon appears on my home screen?
Yes. When you drag the app from the App Library or app drawer, you can place it on any home screen page and in any position. You can also move it later by touching and holding the icon until it jiggles (iPhone) or until the drag mode activates (Android), then dragging it to a new spot.
How do I rearrange apps on my home screen without reinstalling them?
On iPhone, touch and hold any app icon until the icons jiggle, then drag apps to new positions. On Android, touch and hold an app icon until you can drag it, then move it to the desired location. You can also create folders by dragging one app on top of another on both platforms.
What does "navigating home screen and apps" mean in this context?
Navigating Home Screen and Apps refers to the basic skill of moving between your home screen pages and the App Library or app drawer to find and place apps. Mastering this makes restoring any app, not just the Phone app, quick and intuitive.
What if I have a "downloaded app not showing on iPhone? how to find apps iOS 16" issue?
Downloaded App Not Showing On iPhone? How To Find Apps iOS 16 is a common concern when an app appears to be missing after installation. The solution is the same as for the Phone app: swipe to the App Library, use the search bar, and either tap the app to open it or drag it back to your home screen. This works on iOS 16 and later versions.
