Home Screen Layout in iOS 15: Exploring the New Features and Customizations

With iOS 15, Apple introduced several enhancements to the Home Screen layout, giving users more flexibility and control over how their apps, widgets, and information are displayed. The iOS 15 Home Screen allows you to customize app arrangements, add or stack widgets, create Focus modes for different contexts, and hide or reveal app pages based on your current needs. The App Library, first introduced in iOS 14, is further refined, making app management and organization easier. Users can now drag widgets of various sizes onto their Home Screen, stack them for efficiency, and take advantage of new widget designs for system and third-party apps. The inclusion of Focus modes also means your Home Screen layout can change dynamically, surfacing only the apps and widgets most relevant to your current activity, like Work, Personal, or Sleep.

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As a designer, I appreciate how critical thoughtful layout is for productivity and aesthetic balance. When reorganizing your iOS 15 Home Screen, consider creating zones for different purposes—work apps on one page, entertainment on another, and so on. If you’re inspired to transfer this kind of functional, beautiful organization to your physical spaces, tools like a room planner can help you visualize and design your ideal home layout just as intuitively as you arrange your digital screens.

FAQ

Q: How do I add widgets to my Home Screen in iOS 15?

A: Press and hold an empty area until the apps jiggle, tap the "+" in the corner, select a widget, and drag it where you’d like.

Q: Can I hide Home Screen pages in iOS 15?

A: Yes, enter editing mode, tap the page dots, then uncheck the pages you want to hide.

Q: What’s new about widgets in iOS 15 compared to iOS 14?

A: iOS 15 introduces more widget options, smarter stack suggestions, and better integration with Focus modes.

Q: How does Focus mode affect my Home Screen layout?

A: Focus mode can customize which app pages or widgets appear based on your activity, such as Work or Personal time.

Q: How do I use the App Library in iOS 15?

A: Swipe left past your last Home Screen to access the App Library, where all your installed apps are automatically categorized.