In the realm of mobile technology, the home screen serves as the central hub for accessing a plethora of applications. Occasionally, apps may vanish from this prominent location, leaving users perplexed and frustrated. Fortunately, restoring an app to the home screen is a relatively straightforward process, regardless of the operating system or device being utilized. Whether you own an iPhone, Android smartphone, or tablet, this comprehensive guide will provide clear and concise instructions on how to effortlessly put an app back on your home screen.
If you are an Apple device user, the procedure for retrieving a missing app from the home screen is remarkably simple. Begin by navigating to the App Library, a dedicated space that houses all of your installed applications. To access the App Library, simply swipe left past the final page of your home screen. Once in the App Library, locate the desired app using the search bar or by scrolling through the alphabetical list. Upon identifying the app, tap and hold the app icon until a context menu appears. From the menu, select “Add to Home Screen” to restore the app to its rightful place.
Android users possess an equally straightforward method for restoring apps to the home screen. However, the process may vary slightly depending on the specific device model and operating system version. Generally, locate the app drawer, which is typically accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Within the app drawer, navigate to the desired app and long-press the app icon. A floating menu will appear, providing the option to “Add to homescreen.” Alternatively, you may drag and drop the app icon directly onto the home screen to create a shortcut. With these methods, you can effortlessly restore any missing app to your Android home screen, ensuring that your favorite applications are always within easy reach.
Dragging the App from the App Drawer
1. Open the app drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or tapping the app drawer icon.
2. Find the app you want to add to the home screen.
3. Long-press the app icon until it starts to wiggle.
4. Drag the app icon to the desired location on the home screen.
5. Release your finger to drop the app icon into place.
Customizing the App Icon
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Rename | Change the name of the app icon. |
| Change icon | Select a different icon from the available options. |
| Remove | Delete the app icon from the home screen. |
To customize the app icon, long-press the app icon on the home screen and select the desired option from the menu that appears.
Checking the App Permissions
App permissions are settings that determine what data and functionality an app can access on your device. To ensure that an app has the necessary permissions to appear on your home screen,
- Go to **Settings** on your phone or tablet.
- Tap **Apps & notifications**.
- Tap **See all apps**.
- Find the app that you want to add to your home screen.
- Tap **Permissions**.
- Make sure that the app has permission to access the features that it needs, such as storage or location.
- If the app does not have the necessary permissions, tap **Grant permission**.
If you have granted the app the necessary permissions, it should now appear on your home screen.
Permissions Table
| Permission | Description |
|---|---|
| Storage | Allows the app to access files on your device. |
| Location | Allows the app to access your current location. |
| Camera | Allows the app to use your device’s camera. |
| Microphone | Allows the app to use your device’s microphone. |
| Contacts | Allows the app to access your contacts. |
| Calendar | Allows the app to access your calendar. |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
App Not Appearing on Home Screen
If you can’t find an app on your home screen after installing it, try the following:
- Check the App Drawer: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the app drawer. The app may be hidden there.
- Restart Your Phone: Restarting your phone can sometimes fix software glitches.
- Check for Updates: Go to the Google Play Store and check for updates to both the app and the Play Store itself.
- Uninstall and Reinstall the App: If all else fails, you can try uninstalling the app and then reinstalling it.
App Icon Not Showing After Moving
If an app icon disappears after you move it, try the following:
- Check the Home Screen Pages: The icon may have moved to another page on your home screen.
- Restart Your Phone: Restarting your phone can sometimes fix software glitches.
- Reset Home Screen Layout: Go to Settings > Display > Home screen and tap on the “Reset to default” option.
App Widget Not Showing
If an app widget is not appearing, try the following:
- Check the Widgets Menu: Long-press on an empty area of your home screen and tap on “Widgets.” The widget may be listed there.
- Restart Your Phone: Restarting your phone can sometimes fix software glitches.
- Check App Permissions: Go to Settings > Apps and check if the app has permission to display widgets.
- Update the App: Go to the Google Play Store and check for updates to the app.
App Crashes When Opened
If an app crashes when you try to open it, try the following:
- Force Quit the App: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to access the recent apps menu. Swipe the app away to force quit it.
- Clear App Cache: Go to Settings > Apps and select the app causing issues. Tap on “Storage” and then on “Clear Cache.”
- Restart Your Phone: Restarting your phone can sometimes fix software glitches.
- Uninstall and Reinstall the App: If all else fails, you can try uninstalling the app and then reinstalling it.
Customizing the Home Screen Layout
Customizing the home screen layout on your mobile device allows you to organize and personalize your apps, widgets and shortcuts. Here are some steps to customize your home screen layout:
Creating a Folder
Folders can be created to group related apps or shortcuts together. To create a folder, long-press on an app icon and drag it on top of another app icon. A new folder will be created and you can drag other apps or shortcuts into it.
Adding Widgets
Widgets provide quick access to information and functionality from various apps. To add a widget, long-press on an empty area of the home screen and select “Widgets”. Choose the desired widget and drag it onto the home screen.
Changing the Wallpaper
The wallpaper is the background image on your home screen. To change the wallpaper, long-press on an empty area of the home screen and select “Wallpapers”. Choose from the available options or select a custom image from your gallery.
Adding a Shortcut
Shortcuts provide quick access to specific functions or settings. To add a shortcut, long-press on an empty area of the home screen and select “Shortcuts”. Choose the desired shortcut and drag it onto the home screen.
Rearranging Apps
Apps can be rearranged to change their position on the home screen. To rearrange an app, long-press on its icon and drag it to the desired location.
Adding Apps to the Dock
The dock is a row of apps located at the bottom of the home screen that provides quick access to frequently used apps. To add an app to the dock, long-press on its icon and drag it to the dock area.
Setting a Default Home Screen
You can set a specific home screen page as the default, which will be displayed when you press the home button. To set a default home screen, long-press on an empty area of the home screen and select “Settings”. Tap on “Set as default home screen”.
Hiding Apps from the Home Screen
Some apps can be hidden from the home screen without uninstalling them. To hide an app, long-press on its icon and select “App info”. Tap on “Disable” or “Hide” depending on the device model.
Changing the Grid Size
The grid size determines the number of rows and columns on the home screen. To change the grid size, long-press on an empty area of the home screen and select “Settings”. Tap on “Grid size” and choose the desired option.
| Grid Size | Number of Rows | Number of Columns |
|---|---|---|
| 2×2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3×3 | 3 | 3 |
| 4×4 | 4 | 4 |
| 5×5 | 5 | 5 |
How To Put App Back On Home Screen
If you’ve accidentally deleted an app from your home screen, don’t worry—it’s easy to put it back. Here’s how:
1. Open the App Store app.
2. Tap the Search tab.
3. Enter the name of the app you want to put back on your home screen.
4. Tap the Get button next to the app’s name.
5. Enter your Apple ID password.
6. Tap the Install button.
7. Once the app is installed, it will automatically be added to your home screen.
People Also Ask
How do I put an app back on my home screen on Android?
To put an app back on your home screen on Android, simply follow these steps:
1. Open the app drawer.
2. Find the app you want to put back on your home screen.
3. Tap and hold the app icon.
4. Drag the app icon to the home screen.
5. Drop the app icon in the desired location on the home screen.
How do I put an app back on my home screen on iOS?
To put an app back on your home screen on iOS, simply follow these steps:
1. Open the App Store app.
2. Tap the Search tab.
3. Enter the name of the app you want to put back on your home screen.
4. Tap the Get button next to the app’s name.
5. Enter your Apple ID password.
6. Tap the Install button.
7. Once the app is installed, it will automatically be added to your home screen.
How do I put an app back on my home screen on Windows?
To put an app back on your home screen on Windows, simply follow these steps:
1. Open the Start menu.
2. Find the app you want to put back on your home screen.
3. Right-click on the app icon.
4. Select the “Pin to Start” option from the context menu.
5. The app icon will now be added to your home screen.
