To prevent the rearrangement of icons on an iPhone, simply go to the Settings app, tap on Display & Brightness, then tap on View, and choose the ‘Standard’ option. This will lock your icons in place and prevent them from moving around.
After completing this action, your iPhone’s home screen layout will remain consistent, and you won’t have to worry about icons shifting or changing positions after updates or restarts.
Introduction
Have you ever meticulously organized your iPhone apps only to find them scattered all over the place after a software update or a restart? It’s like playing a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, isn’t it? Well, the good news is you’re not alone, and even better, there’s a way to prevent your icons from playing hide and seek with you.
Icon rearrangement can be a real headache, especially for those who rely on muscle memory to navigate their devices quickly. Whether you’re a power user who needs instant access to your apps or someone who appreciates a tidy home screen, this issue can disrupt your workflow and cause unnecessary frustration. This topic is particularly relevant to iPhone users who have spent time curating their home screen layout and want to maintain it. Let’s dive into the details and put an end to the icon shuffle once and for all.
How to Prevent the Rearrangement of Icons on an iPhone
Before we start, let’s briefly explain what we’re aiming to achieve. By following the steps below, you’ll be able to lock your iPhone’s home screen layout, ensuring that your icons remain in the place you’ve assigned them.
Step 1: Open the Settings app
Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
The Settings app is your go-to destination for making adjustments to how your iPhone operates. It’s the gear icon that’s usually found on your home screen.
Step 2: Tap on Display & Brightness
Scroll down and select the “Display & Brightness” option.
This section of the Settings app allows you to customize how things look on your screen, from brightness levels to text size and more.
Step 3: Tap on View
Under the Display & Brightness settings, find and tap on the “View” option.
The View setting determines how content is displayed on your screen, giving you options between a standard view and a zoomed view.
Step 4: Select ‘Standard’
Choose the ‘Standard’ option to lock your home screen layout.
By selecting Standard, you’re ensuring that your icons will remain where you’ve placed them, without the system auto-arranging them after updates or restarts.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Consistent layout | Having a consistent layout means you can find your apps quickly and efficiently, saving you time and keeping your experience smooth. |
| Muscle memory | When icons remain in the same place, your muscle memory kicks in, allowing you to navigate your device without having to look for each app. |
| Aesthetically pleasing | A well-organized home screen is just nicer to look at. It can reflect your personal style and make using your iPhone a more enjoyable experience. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Limited flexibility | By locking your layout, you’re also limiting your ability to experiment with different arrangements that could potentially be more efficient. |
| Requires manual adjustment | If you want to add new apps to your home screen, you’ll have to manually place them where you want, as they won’t automatically fill empty spaces. |
| Potential for clutter | As you download more apps, your home screen can become cluttered since the icons won’t rearrange themselves to make space or create a more organized look. |
Additional Information
While preventing your icons from rearranging on your iPhone is a great way to maintain a consistent user experience, it’s also worth noting that this setting doesn’t impact the functionality of the apps themselves. Your apps will still update and function as normal; it’s just their location on the home screen that’s locked in place.
One tip to keep in mind is that if you do decide you want to rearrange your icons after setting them to ‘Standard’, you can do so manually by pressing and holding an app until it wiggles, then dragging it to your desired location. Just be sure to press ‘Done’ when you’re finished to save the new layout.
Remember, the goal here is to enhance your iPhone usage by preventing the hassle of constantly reorganizing your apps. By following the steps we’ve outlined, you can keep your home screen tailored to your needs and preferences.
Summary
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Display & Brightness.
- Tap on View.
- Select ‘Standard’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between ‘Standard’ and ‘Zoomed’ view?
The ‘Standard’ view shows more content on the screen and keeps icons in their designated spots. ‘Zoomed’ view enlarges everything for easier reading, but may cause icons to shift.
Will changing the view affect my app folders?
No, your app folders will remain intact. Only the arrangement of individual icons or folders may be affected.
Can I still move apps around after selecting ‘Standard’?
Yes, you can manually move apps even after selecting ‘Standard’. Just tap and hold an app until it wiggles, then drag it to your desired location.
Does this setting affect widgets too?
Widgets will also stay in place once ‘Standard’ is selected, maintaining your customized layout.
Will my home screen layout remain the same after a software update?
Yes, selecting ‘Standard’ should keep your layout the same even after an iPhone software update.
Conclusion
The constant rearrangement of icons on an iPhone can be more than just a minor annoyance—it can disrupt your daily routine and productivity. By setting your display to ‘Standard’, you regain control over your home screen layout, ensuring a consistent and personalized experience with your device.
Remember, this is about making your iPhone work for you, not the other way around. Whether you’re a business professional, a student, or just someone who appreciates order, taking the time to lock your icons in place can make a world of difference in your day-to-day interactions with your favorite tech companion.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.