How to Change Home Screen on iPhone 16 Pro Max, 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Plus, 16e, 16

Changing your iPhone home screen lets you organize apps, widgets, and shortcuts to fit your style. With iOS 18 (or newer), you can create a clean, efficient layout in minutes. Here’s how to change home screen on iPhone immediately:

  1. Press and hold any blank area on your home screen until apps jiggle.

  2. Drag apps to new positions or tap "−" to delete unused ones.

  3. Tap the ＋ icon to add widgets.

  4. Press Done when finished.

Now, let’s dive into the full step-by-step process to master your home screen!

How to Change Home Screen on iPhone Step by Step

Step 1: Delete Unused Apps

Why This Matters: Your iPhone comes with apps like Stocks, Apple TV, or Tips that you might never open. Deleting them frees up space and reduces clutter.

How to Do It:

  1. Press and hold any app icon on your home screen until all icons start to jiggle.
  2. Tap the − (minus) sign on apps you don’t want.
  3. Confirm by tapping Delete.

Note: Some apps (like Settings or App Store) can’t be deleted, but you can hide them later.

Pro Tip: If you accidentally delete an app, you can reinstall it from the App Store later.

Step 2: Turn Off Notifications (Temporarily)

Why This Matters: Notifications from apps like Mail or TikTok can distract you from homework or time with friends. Start fresh by silencing them all first!

How to Do It:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Notifications.
  3. For each app, toggle off Allow Notifications.

Pro Tip: Later, turn notifications back on only for apps you need (like Messages or your calendar).


Step 3: Clean Up Your Home Screen

Why This Matters: Too many apps on your home screen make it hard to find what you need quickly. Let’s simplify!

How to Do It:

  1. Enter Jiggle Mode by pressing and holding any app icon.
  2. Drag apps you rarely use to the App Library (the page all the way to the right).
  3. To delete extra home screen pages:
    • Swipe left or right to find a blank page.
    • Tap the − (minus) sign above the page dots.

Pro Tip: Keep just one home screen page for your most-used apps.

Why This Matters: The search bar at the bottom of your screen takes up space, but you can search by swiping down instead!

How to Do It:

  1. Go to Settings > Home Screen & App Library.
  2. Under Search, toggle off Show on Home Screen.

Step 5: Customize Your Lock Screen Shortcuts

Why This Matters: The lock screen lets you open apps without unlocking your phone. Replace the default camera shortcut with apps you actually use!

How to Do It:

  1. Go to Settings > Wallpaper & Lock Screen.
  2. Tap Customize under your current wallpaper.
  3. Tap the Camera or Flashlight shortcut at the bottom.
  4. Choose a new app (like Lightroom for photos or Spotify for music).

Pro Tip: Use the Shortcuts app to create custom actions (like opening TikTok directly).

Step 6: Master the Camera Control Button

Why This Matters: The iPhone 16’s new Camera Control Button (on the side) lets you take photos or videos faster than ever.

How to Use It:

  • Quick Press: Open the camera.
  • Long Press: Start recording a video.

Customize It:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
  2. Tap Camera Control Button.
  3. Assign it to open a different app (like Snapchat or Final Cut Camera).

Step 7: Set a Custom Wallpaper

Why This Matters: A fresh wallpaper makes your iPhone feel brand new and shows off your personality.

How to Do It:

  1. Download a wallpaper pack (like Crimson Symmetry – search online for free options!).
  2. Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper.
  3. Choose your image and adjust the zoom or color filters.

Pro Tip: Use a dark wallpaper to save battery life on OLED screens (iPhone 16 Pro models).

Step 8: Add Widgets to Your Home Screen

Why This Matters: Widgets show live info like weather, calendar events, or music controls without opening apps.

How to Do It:

  1. Enter Jiggle Mode (press and hold an app icon).
  2. Tap the + (plus) sign in the top-left corner.
  3. Browse widgets like Weather, Calendar, or YouTube Music and tap Add Widget.

Stack Widgets to Save Space:

  • Drag one widget on top of another to create a stack.
  • Swipe up/down to switch between widgets.

Pro Tip: Use the Battery Widget to check your AirPods or Apple Watch charge.

Step 9: Build a Smart Control Center

Why This Matters: The Control Center is your shortcut hub for brightness, volume, screen recording, and more.

How to Customize It:

  1. Go to Settings > Control Center.
  2. Tap + to add controls like Dark Mode or Screen Recording.
  3. Drag and drop icons to arrange them for easy one-handed use.

Example Layout:

  • Top Row: Brightness slider, Volume slider, Focus modes.
  • Middle Row: Screen recording, Dark Mode, Calculator.
  • Bottom Row: Shortcuts to your favorite apps.

Step 10: Organize Your Dock

Why This Matters: The dock is always visible at the bottom of your screen—fill it with apps you use every day!

How to Do It:

  1. Drag up to 4 apps to the dock.
  2. Example setup:
    • Phone (for calls)
    • Chrome (for browsing)
    • Settings (for quick adjustments)
    • A Social Media Folder (to hide distracting apps)

Pro Tip: Use folders to group similar apps (like Games or School Tools).

Step 11: Silence Social Media Notifications

Why This Matters: Constant alerts from TikTok or Instagram can interrupt homework or family time.

How to Do It:

  1. Create a folder named “Socials” and drag apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok into it.
  2. Go to Settings > Notifications.
  3. Tap each app in the folder and toggle off Allow Notifications.

Pro Tip: Leave the red notification bubbles on so you can check apps when you want.

Step 12: Add a Large Calendar & Weather Widget

Why This Matters: See your schedule and the weather forecast without opening multiple apps.

How to Do It:

  1. Download the Insight Widget (search the App Store).
  2. Tap Edit Widget to customize:
    • Add quick-action buttons (like Notes or Spotify).
    • Adjust the calendar view to show your class schedule.

Pro Tip: Use a transparent widget to blend it with your wallpaper!


Step 13: Install a Calculator Widget

Why This Matters: The iPhone still doesn’t have a built-in calculator app on the home screen, but you can add one!

How to Do It:

  1. Download MD Calculator from the App Store.
  2. Add its widget to your home screen.
  3. Match the widget’s color to your wallpaper for a seamless look.

Step 14: Track Battery Life with Device Monitor 2

Why This Matters: Keep an eye on your iPhone’s battery health and storage space.

How to Do It:

  1. Download Device Monitor 2 from the App Store.
  2. Add its widget to your home screen.
  3. Check stats like Battery Percentage, Storage Space, and Memory Usage.

Pro Tip: If your battery drains fast, use this widget to spot apps using too much power.

Step 15: Customize the Action Button

Why This Matters: The Action Button (replacing the mute switch) can launch your favorite app or shortcut.

How to Do It:

  1. Go to Settings > Action Button.
  2. Choose Shortcut and pick a task like:
    • Open Files to access homework.
    • Start a Workout in Apple Fitness.
    • Launch Spotify to play music.

Step 16: Stay Focused with Silent Socials

Why This Matters: Social media is fun, but it shouldn’t distract you 24/7.

How to Do It:

  1. Silence notifications for apps like Instagram or TikTok (see Step 11).
  2. Use Focus Modes (Settings > Focus) to block socials during school hours.

Pro Tip: Enable Downtime to limit app use after bedtime.

Frequently Asked Questions: iPhone Home Screen Customization

Q1: Can I revert to my original home screen layout if I don’t like my changes?

A: Yes! Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout. This restores default app positions but won’t delete apps or data.

Q2: Why can’t I delete apps like Settings or App Store?

A: Apple restricts deletion of core system apps. However, you can hide them:

  1. Drag them into a folder.
  2. Move the folder to your last home screen page or the App Library.
    Need help? See: How to Unhide Apps on iPhone.

Q3: Do widgets drain my iPhone’s battery?

A: Most widgets (e.g., Weather, Calendar) use minimal power. Avoid overloading your screen with live-updating widgets (e.g., Social Media feeds). Use Device Monitor 2 to track battery-hungry apps.

Q4: How do I add third-party widgets like MD Calculator?

A:

  1. Download the app from the App Store.
  2. Enter Jiggle Mode (press/hold any app).
  3. Tap ＋ > Select the widget > Add Widget.

Q5: What if I delete an important app by mistake?

A: Reinstall it instantly from the App Store! Your data remains intact. Search for the app, tap the download icon, and it reappears.

Conclusion: Your iPhone, Your Rules

Customizing your iPhone home screen isn’t just about looks—it’s about saving time, reducing stress, and making your device work for you. Start with these steps:

  1. Declutter (delete unused apps, silence notifications).
  2. Organize (simplify pages, optimize your dock).
  3. Personalize (add widgets, set a custom wallpaper).

For more iPhone mastery:

I wrote an article all about 23 Tips and Tricks for iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Device that I encourage you to read!