How to Get Apps Back on iPhone Home Screen

Have you ever experienced the frustration of accidentally deleting an app from your iPhone and not knowing how to get it back on your home screen? You’re not alone! Many iPhone users have encountered this issue at some point, but fortunately, there are several methods you can try to retrieve your lost apps. In this article, we will guide you through step-by-step instructions on how to get apps back on your iPhone home screen to restore the functionality and convenience you had before.

Contents:

1. Re-download from App Store

2. Use the App Library

3. Check if App is Hidden

4. Restore from iTunes or iCloud Backup

5. Reset Home Screen Layout

1. Re-download from App Store

If you accidentally delete an app from your iPhone, the easiest way to get it back is to re-download it from the App Store. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the App Store on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on the magnifying glass icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen to access the search function.

Step 3: Type the name of the app you deleted in the search bar and tap on the search button.

Step 4: On the search results page, find the app you want to re-download and tap on the “Download” or “Get” button. If you had previously purchased the app, it may display a cloud icon with an arrow instead.

Step 5: Enter your Apple ID password or use Face ID/Touch ID to confirm the download and installation.

After completing these steps, the app will be re-downloaded and placed back on your iPhone home screen.

2. Use the App Library

iOS 14 introduced a new feature called the App Library, which organizes all your apps in a categorized manner. If you accidentally delete an app, it might be hiding in the App Library. Here’s how to find and restore the app using the App Library:

Step 1: Swipe right on your iPhone home screen until you reach the last screen.

Step 2: Continue swiping to the right once more to access the App Library. You will see a list of suggested apps and a search bar at the top.

Step 3: Start scrolling through the app categories or use the search bar to find the app you want to restore.

Step 4: Once you find the app, tap on its icon to open it. The app will be downloaded and installed back on your home screen automatically.

Using the App Library is a convenient way to find and restore accidentally deleted apps without having to search through multiple screens on your home screen.

3. Check if App is Hidden

Another possibility is that the app may be hidden on your iPhone home screen. Although this may seem unlikely, it’s worth checking to ensure the app is not simply concealed from view. Here’s how to check if the app is hidden:

Step 1: Swipe down from the center of your iPhone home screen to open the Spotlight search.

Step 2: Type the name of the app you are looking for in the search bar at the top.

Step 3: If the app appears in the search results, it means the app is hidden on your home screen. Tap on the app in the search results to open it.

Step 4: Press and hold the app icon until the context menu appears.

Step 5: Tap on the “Show” option to unhide the app and make it visible on your home screen.

By following these steps, you can easily unhide a hidden app and have it back on your iPhone home screen once again.

4. Restore from iTunes or iCloud Backup

If you have previously backed up your iPhone using iTunes or iCloud, you can restore your iPhone and retrieve deleted apps along with their data. Here’s how to restore from a backup:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable and open iTunes. If you prefer to use iCloud backup, ensure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi.

Step 2: In iTunes, select your iPhone icon located at the top left corner of the window. If you’re using macOS Catalina or later, you can access your device from the sidebar of Finder.

Step 3: Click on “Restore Backup” or “Restore iPhone” if you’re using Finder.

Step 4: Choose the most recent backup that contains the deleted app you want to retrieve and click “Restore” or “Restore and Update” to confirm.

Step 5: Wait for the restore process to complete. Your iPhone will restart, and the deleted app will be restored along with its data.

It’s important to note that restoring from a backup will revert your iPhone to the state it was in when the backup was made. Therefore, any data or changes made on your iPhone after the backup will be lost.

5. Reset Home Screen Layout

If none of the above methods have worked so far, you can try resetting your home screen layout. This will reset the arrangement of your icons to the default layout, potentially bringing back any missing apps. Here’s how to reset your home screen layout:

Step 1: Go to “Settings” on your iPhone home screen.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on “General.”

Step 3: Scroll down once more and select “Reset.”

Step 4: Tap on “Reset Home Screen Layout.”

Step 5: A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap on “Reset Home Screen” to proceed.

After resetting your home screen layout, your apps should be back in their default positions on the home screen. However, keep in mind that any customization you made to folders or app arrangements will be lost.

Conclusion

Accidentally deleting an app from your iPhone can be frustrating, but thankfully, there are several methods you can use to get your apps back on the home screen. Whether you choose to re-download from the App Store, utilize the App Library, unhide hidden apps, restore from a backup, or reset your home screen layout, one of these methods is likely to solve your problem. Remember to regularly back up your iPhone to prevent potential data loss in the future.

FAQs

Q1: Can I recover deleted apps without an iTunes or iCloud backup?

A1: Yes, you can recover deleted apps without a backup by re-downloading them from the App Store or using the App Library on iOS 14 and later versions.

Q2: Will restoring from an iTunes or iCloud backup delete my current data?

A2: Yes, restoring from a backup will replace all your current data with the data from the backup. Therefore, it’s essential to have a recent backup containing the deleted app you want to retrieve.

Q3: I can’t find the deleted app in the App Store. What should I do?

A3: If you are unable to find the deleted app in the App Store, it might no longer be available for download. In that case, you can try recovering the app from a backup using iTunes or iCloud.

Q4: Will resetting my home screen layout delete any data or apps?

A4: No, resetting your home screen layout will not delete any data or apps. It will only rearrange the icons on your home screen to their default positions.

Q5: How often should I back up my iPhone?

A5: It is recommended to back up your iPhone regularly to ensure you have a recent backup. Ideally, perform weekly or monthly backups depending on how frequently you use your device and how important your data is to you.