To put apps in alphabetical order on iPhone, the quickest method is to reset your Home Screen layout, which automatically sorts all downloaded apps alphabetically after the built-in Apple apps. This action instantly organizes your app collection without requiring you to drag each icon manually.
How to put apps in alphabetical order on iPhone with a home screen reset
Resetting the Home Screen layout is the primary, built-in method to automatically alphabetize your downloaded apps. This process is ideal when you want a fast, one-step solution for navigating home screen and apps without spending time on manual arrangement.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone 13 Pro Max.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Reset Home Screen Layout from the list of options.
- In the pop-up confirmation, tap Reset Home Screen to confirm.
After the reset, all apps you have downloaded from the App Store will be arranged alphabetically on subsequent Home Screen pages. Built-in Apple apps, such as Phone, Messages, and Safari, will return to their original, default positions on the first Home Screen page and are not alphabetized with downloaded apps. Resetting the Home Screen layout will remove any app folders you have created. After tapping 'Reset Home Screen Layout,' confirm by tapping 'Reset Home Screen' in the pop-up.
How to find apps alphabetically using the app library
The App Library, a feature introduced in iOS 14, provides a non-destructive way to browse all your installed apps in alphabetical order without rearranging your Home Screen. This is useful if you want to keep your current layout intact while still being able to quickly locate any app by name. The App Library automatically organizes all installed apps into categories, such as Social, Productivity, Entertainment, and provides an alphabetical list. It also learns your usage patterns over time and can prioritize certain apps.
To access the alphabetical list, swipe left on your Home Screen past all your pages until you reach the App Library. Once there, tap the search bar at the top of the screen or swipe down on the screen. You can also choose the 'All Apps' category in the App Library to display all apps in a single alphabetical list. This action displays a full alphabetical list of every app installed on your device, from A to Z. You can scroll through this list or type the app’s name in the search bar to find it instantly.
How to manually rearrange apps in alphabetical order
If you prefer total control over your app layout and do not want to reset your Home Screen, you can manually drag each app into alphabetical order. This method is best for users who want to keep specific folders or a custom arrangement while ensuring the order is alphabetical. When manually rearranging apps, you can create folders to categorize your apps and alphabetize them within the folders as well.
- Press and hold any app icon on your Home Screen until all icons begin to jiggle.
- Drag an app icon to its correct alphabetical position on the screen. The surrounding icons will automatically shift to make room.
- Release the app icon to drop it in place.
- Repeat this process for each app you want to reposition.
- When finished, tap the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom on models without a Home button) to save your changes and exit jiggle mode.
This method requires time and patience if you have many apps, but it gives you complete freedom to arrange icons exactly as you wish, including within folders.
Frequently asked questions
Does resetting the Home Screen layout delete my app data?
No, resetting the Home Screen layout only rearranges the visual placement of your app icons. It does not delete any apps, app data, settings, or personal information stored within the apps.
What happens to my existing folders after a home screen reset?
All folders you have created on your Home Screen will be removed. The apps that were inside those folders will be placed individually onto the Home Screen pages in their new alphabetical order.
Can I alphabetize apps without resetting my Home Screen?
Yes. You can use the App Library to view an alphabetical list of all your apps without changing your Home Screen layout, or you can manually drag apps into alphabetical order in jiggle mode.
If a downloaded app not showing on iPhone? how to find apps iOS 16, where do they go after a reset?
After a Home Screen reset, all downloaded apps are placed on new Home Screen pages in alphabetical order. If you cannot find a specific app, swipe left through your pages or use the App Library’s search bar to locate it instantly. If you delete an app and reinstall it later, it may not automatically return to its original place in the alphabetical order. When you download an app on one device linked to your Apple ID, it may automatically download on other devices, disrupting alphabetical organization. You can disable this in Settings > [Your Name] > App Store > Automatic Downloads.
Will alphabetizing my apps affect how they work?
No. Alphabetizing apps is purely a visual reorganization. It does not change how apps function, their settings, or any data stored within them.
