Are you tired of cluttered home screens and app drawers? Are you frustrated with apps taking up valuable space on your device? Do you want to declutter your digital life without losing access to your favorite apps? If so, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll show you how to remove an app from your home screen without deleting it, giving you the best of both worlds.
Why Remove Apps From Your Home Screen?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of removing apps from your home screen, let’s talk about why you might want to do so in the first place. There are several reasons why you might want to remove an app from your home screen:
Clutter Reduction: A cluttered home screen can be overwhelming and make it difficult to find the apps you need quickly. By removing apps you don’t use frequently, you can declutter your home screen and make it more functional.
Organizational Purposes: If you have multiple apps that serve similar purposes, you might want to remove the ones you don’t use as frequently to make room for more important apps.
Security Concerns: If you have an app that you no longer use or trust, removing it from your home screen can help prevent unauthorized access to your device.
How To Remove An App From Your Home Screen On Android
If you’re an Android user, removing an app from your home screen is relatively straightforward. Here’s how to do it:
Method 1: Long Press And Drag
This method works on most Android devices:
- Long press on the app icon you want to remove from your home screen until it starts to wiggle or a small menu appears.
- Drag the app icon to the “Uninstall” or “Remove” icon that appears at the top of the screen.
- Release the app icon when it’s over the “Uninstall” or “Remove” icon.
- Tap “OK” to confirm that you want to remove the app from your home screen.
Note that this method will not uninstall the app from your device; it will only remove the app icon from your home screen.
Method 2: Use The App Drawer
Alternatively, you can use the app drawer to remove an app from your home screen:
- Open the app drawer by tapping the icon that looks like a grid of dots or a circle with a square in the middle.
- Find the app you want to remove from your home screen and long press on it.
- Tap “Uninstall” or “Remove” when the menu appears.
- Tap “OK” to confirm that you want to remove the app from your home screen.
Again, this method will not uninstall the app from your device; it will only remove the app icon from your home screen.
How To Remove An App From Your Home Screen On IOS
If you’re an iOS user, the process is slightly different:
Method 1: Tap And Hold
Here’s how to remove an app from your home screen on iOS:
- Tap and hold on the app icon you want to remove from your home screen until it starts to jiggle.
- Tap the “X” icon that appears in the top-left corner of the app icon.
- Tap “Remove” to confirm that you want to remove the app from your home screen.
Note that this method will not delete the app from your device; it will only remove the app icon from your home screen.
Method 2: Use The App Library
iOS 14 introduced the App Library, a new way to organize your apps. Here’s how to use it to remove an app from your home screen:
- Swipe left on your home screen until you reach the App Library.
- Find the app you want to remove from your home screen and tap on it.
- Tap the “…” icon in the top-right corner of the app icon.
- Tap “Remove from Home Screen” to confirm that you want to remove the app from your home screen.
As with the Android methods, this will not uninstall the app from your device; it will only remove the app icon from your home screen.
What Happens When You Remove An App From Your Home Screen?
When you remove an app from your home screen, what happens to the app itself? Don’t worry; removing an app from your home screen does not:
Delete the App: The app will still be installed on your device, and you can access it through the app drawer (on Android) or App Library (on iOS).
Delete App Data: Your app data, including login credentials and settings, will remain intact and available when you launch the app from the app drawer or App Library.
Affect App Notifications: The app will continue to send notifications and function as usual, even if it’s not on your home screen.
However, removing an app from your home screen can have some benefits, such as:
Reduced Clutter: By removing infrequently used apps from your home screen, you can declutter your device and make it easier to find the apps you need quickly.
Improved Organization: Removing apps from your home screen can help you organize your apps more effectively, making it easier to find and use the apps you need.
Enhanced Security: If you have an app that you no longer use or trust, removing it from your home screen can help prevent unauthorized access to your device.
Best Practices For Managing Your Apps
Now that you know how to remove an app from your home screen, here are some best practices for managing your apps:
Organize Your Apps: Use folders and categories to organize your apps, making it easier to find and use the apps you need.
Update Your Apps: Regularly update your apps to ensure you have the latest features and security patches.
Uninstall Unused Apps: Uninstall apps you no longer use or need to free up storage space and improve device performance.
Use App Permissions: Review and adjust app permissions to ensure apps only have access to the data and features they need.
By following these best practices, you can keep your device organized, secure, and running smoothly.
Conclusion
Removing an app from your home screen without deleting it is a simple process on both Android and iOS devices. By doing so, you can declutter your home screen, improve organization, and enhance security. Remember to follow best practices for managing your apps, and you’ll be well on your way to a more streamlined and efficient digital life. Happy decluttering!
What Is The Purpose Of Removing An App Without Deleting It?
Removing an app without deleting it allows you to temporarily remove an app from your home screen without losing any of its data or settings. This can be useful when you want to declutter your home screen but still keep the app’s functionality intact. For example, you may want to remove an app from your home screen to make room for new apps or to organize your apps into folders.
By removing an app without deleting it, you can also avoid the hassle of reinstalling and reconfiguring the app later on. This method is especially useful for apps that require you to login or set up specific settings, as you won’t have to redo these steps when you decide to put the app back on your home screen.
How Do I Remove An App Without Deleting It On An IPhone?
To remove an app without deleting it on an iPhone, simply long-press on the app icon until it starts to jiggle. Then, tap the “minus” icon in the top-left corner of the app icon. This will remove the app from your home screen, but it will still be accessible in the App Library. You can find the App Library by swiping left on your home screen until you reach the last page.
From the App Library, you can easily reinstall the app on your home screen by tapping the “plus” icon in the top-right corner of the app icon. The app will be readded to your home screen, and all of its data and settings will be preserved.
How Do I Remove An App Without Deleting It On An Android Device?
On an Android device, you can remove an app without deleting it by long-pressing on the app icon and dragging it to the “Uninstall” or “Remove” option at the top of the screen. However, this method may vary depending on the device and Android version you’re using. Alternatively, you can go to the Android Settings app, then select “Apps” or “Application Manager,” and select the app you want to remove.
From there, you can select the “Disable” or “Uninstall” option, which will remove the app from your home screen but keep its data and settings intact. To reinstall the app, simply go back to the Apps or Application Manager menu and select the “Enable” or “Install” option.
What Happens To My App Data When I Remove An App Without Deleting It?
When you remove an app without deleting it, your app data is preserved and remains on your device. This means that when you reinstall the app, all of your data, settings, and login information will still be there. You won’t have to re-login or reconfigure the app, and you can pick up right where you left off.
However, it’s worth noting that some apps may have specific requirements or limitations for preserving data when removing and reinstalling the app. Be sure to check the app’s documentation or support resources if you’re unsure about what happens to your data.
Can I Remove Multiple Apps At Once Without Deleting Them?
Yes, you can remove multiple apps at once without deleting them. On an iPhone, you can long-press on one app icon, then tap on additional app icons to select them. From there, you can tap the “minus” icon in the top-left corner of each app icon to remove them from your home screen. On an Android device, you can select multiple apps by long-pressing on one app icon, then tapping on additional app icons.
Alternatively, you can use the “Edit Home Screen” or “Customize” option on your device to remove multiple apps at once. This will allow you to remove multiple apps from your home screen without having to individually select each app.
Will Removing An App Without Deleting It Affect My Subscriptions Or Purchases?
Removing an app without deleting it should not affect your subscriptions or purchases. Since the app is not deleted, your subscription or purchase information is still linked to your account, and you should still be able to access the app’s premium features or content.
However, it’s possible that some apps may have specific requirements or procedures for managing subscriptions or purchases when removing and reinstalling the app. Be sure to check the app’s documentation or support resources if you’re unsure about what happens to your subscriptions or purchases.
Is Removing An App Without Deleting It The Same As Uninstalling It?
No, removing an app without deleting it is not the same as uninstalling it. Uninstalling an app completely removes the app and all of its data from your device, whereas removing an app without deleting it simply removes the app from your home screen while preserving its data and settings.
When you uninstall an app, you will typically be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the app and all of its data. This is different from removing an app without deleting it, which allows you to temporarily remove the app from your home screen without affecting its data or settings.