How to Browse for Apps By Category on an iPhone

To browse for apps by category on an iPhone, open the App Store, tap Apps (or Games) at the bottom of the screen, and browse by category. To see apps you already have sorted by category, swipe left past your last Home Screen page to open App Library.

Categories help when you don’t know an app’s name and just want something for a job, like budgeting, travel or photo editing. These steps follow Apple’s iPhone User Guide for the App Store and App Library.

In this guide:

• Browse App Store categories
• Search by category
• Check an app before you download it
• Find installed apps by category
• FAQs

How to Browse App Store Categories on iPhone

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap Apps at the bottom of the screen. For games, tap Games instead.
3. Browse by category, then pick one that fits what you need.
4. Tap an app to learn more, or tap Get (or the price) to download it.

Result: You see apps grouped by what they do. Apple says the Apps tab also has new releases and top charts, and the Games tab covers dozens of categories, including action, adventure, racing and puzzles.

If you see a download icon instead of Get, you’ve bought the app before and can download it again for free. You may need to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Here’s what the cloud icon next to an app means.

How to Search the App Store by Category

Tap Search and type a category, like “weather” or “fitness.” Apple says you can search by app name, category, developer and more, and explore different categories or suggested apps from the Search screen.

Result: You get matching apps even when you don’t know a single app name.

How to Check an App Before You Download It

Tap an app’s name or icon to open its page. Apple lists what you’ll find there, including screenshots or previews, ratings and reviews, the developer, file size, compatibility, supported languages, age rating, accessibility features and privacy information.

Result: You can compare a few apps in a category before you install one. To stop surprise purchases, you can also require a passcode for purchases on an iPhone.

How to Find Installed Apps by Category With App Library

App Library sorts the apps already on your iPhone into categories like Social, Entertainment, and Productivity & Finance. Per Apple:

1. Go to the Home Screen.
2. Swipe left past all of your Home Screen pages to reach App Library.
3. Tap a category. If it shows a few small icons, tap them to expand the category and see every app in it.
4. Tap an app to open it, or use the search field at the top.

Result: You can find any app, including ones you removed from the Home Screen. Apple notes that Suggestions at the top shows the apps you use most, and Recently Added shows your newest downloads.

Apple says App Library picks categories based on how you use your apps, and you can’t move an app to a different category. To put an app back on the Home Screen, touch and hold it until it moves there. For arranging icons, see how to move apps on an iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple Account to browse the App Store?

Apple says you need an internet connection and an Apple Account to use the App Store.

Can I create my own categories in App Library?

No. App Library sorts apps automatically. To group apps your own way, use folders on the Home Screen.

How do I bring App Library closer?

Hide some Home Screen pages. Touch and hold the wallpaper, tap the dots at the bottom, and uncheck the pages you want to hide.

What should I download first?

Start with what you’ll use daily. For example, here’s how to get Google Maps on an iPhone. If the badge on the App Store icon bugs you, see how to get rid of the number on the App Store icon.

Looking for a built-in tool like Calculator or Compass instead? See where the Utilities folder is on the iPhone.

Want Apple’s official manual? See how to get the iPhone User Guide.