iOS 14’s App Library is a radical new Home screen app for iPhone. Instead of navigating through multiple pages and folders as in previous iOS iterations, you can now use the App Library to access all installed apps from a central launchpad. However, the purpose of the Application Library doesn’t just end there.
For example, did you know that you can easily use the App Library in list format as opposed to the default categories? Or that you can hide apps from the Home screen but still access them via the App Library?
Actually, there are many ways to use the App Library to make the Home screen experience easier. Let’s take a look at the best App Library tips and tricks for iPhone below.
1. Expand Categories
Categories within the Application Library are similar to Home screen folders. But unlike folders, categories don’t show all included apps if you don’t know where to tap.
If a category contains five or more apps, tap the smaller set of icons in the lower right corner of the category. Then it should expand and reveal all the apps inside.
2. Use Contextual Menus
Just like on the Home screen, you can easily use Tactile Tap (long press) gestures to reveal contextual menus for all apps within the App Library.
It’s pretty useful if you want to open a certain function of an app right away, like the Private tab in Safari. Or if you want to delete apps quickly.
3. Open List View
The App Library does not allow you to move apps between categories. It also doesn’t let you create custom categories. It doesn’t matter if the App Library has done a great job of categorizing your apps. But unfortunately that is not the case. For example, you will see that it lists Safari in the Productivity category, but Chrome under Utilities.
Instead of wasting precious seconds searching for the right category, swipe down to turn the entire App Library into an alphabetically ordered list.
Then you can scroll down to quickly find the app you want. Use the alphabet strip on the right side of the screen to access apps even faster.
4. Hide Unnecessary Apps
You can reduce the number of nonessential apps on your iPhone’s Home screen pages by simply assigning them to the App Library.
Long press the app you want to remove from the home screen and then tap Uninstall App. Tap ‘Remove from Home Screen’ again to confirm.
Whenever you want to open the app, go to the App Library, find the app icon and tap it. You can also use your iPhone’s Search function (swipe down on any Home screen page) to open a hidden app.
5. Add to Application Library Only
Instead of cluttering the home screen with new apps you’ve installed from the App Store, you can choose to just add them to the App Library.
Go to iPhone’s Settings app, then tap Home screen. Under New App Downloads, select App Library Only.
6. Back to Home Screen
You can add previously hidden apps (or apps installed directly in the App Library) back to the Home screen.
Start by long-pressing an application within the Application Library. In the contextual menu, tap Add to Home Screen. Alternatively, tap and drag the app to bring it to the Home screen.
7. Zoom Application Library
If you have a lot of Home screen pages on your iPhone, accessing the App Library can be overwhelming. Why not make things easier by hiding unwanted pages?
Start by shaking the home screen; To do this, tap and hold any empty space. Then tap the Home page ribbon above the dock to enter the Edit Pages screen. You can then easily hide any Home screen page (you must remain at least one).
You can also put all the important apps and widgets on one Home page and hide the rest; this will keep the App Library just one tap away.
8. Enable Notification Badges
By default, apps in the App Library don’t show notification badges. This is not ideal if you plan to rely heavily on it to access your apps.
Go to the iPhone Settings app, tap Home, then turn on the switch next to Enable Notification Badges. This should enable notification badges in the App Library.
9. Use These Tips
The Recommendations category, which appears at the top of the App Library, shows useful apps based on your past activity with the help of machine learning.
It’s easy to miss the Suggestions category after using the App Library for a while, so be sure to check it out often. You can find the app you want to list in the Suggestions category.
New Librarian
The inclusion of the App Library will forever change the way you use your iPhone, and the tips you’ve just followed will help you get the most out of it. And don’t forget to spice up your Home screen with other exciting iOS 14 additions like the Smart Widget Stack.
Next: You can now pin conversations in iMessage and do many other things. Click the link below to learn how to do this.
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