sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

Edit the iPhone and iPad Share Menu

Guide 10-41579 · Updated · Step by step

You can customize the Share menu on an iPhone or iPad to make frequently used actions easier to find and hide options you rarely use. The available controls depend on which app you are sharing from, and some suggestions change based on the selected item.

What You’ll Need

  • An iPhone or iPad with a version of iOS or iPadOS that shows the Share menu’s editing controls.
  • An app and an item you can share, such as a photo, webpage, or document.

Step-by-Step

  1. Open something to share. In an app such as Photos, Safari, or Files, open or select the photo, webpage, or document you want to share. The available options vary by app and by the type of item.
  2. Open the Share menu. Tap the Share button, usually a square with an upward arrow. In some apps, you may need to tap a More button or select an item first.
  3. Find the row of app or contact suggestions. Near the top of the sheet, you may see suggested contacts or apps such as Messages or Mail. These suggestions are not edited in the same way as the action list below them; they can change according to your activity and context.
  4. Scroll to the actions list. Swipe up on the Share sheet or scroll down until you see actions such as Copy, Print, or Save to Files. Some apps have more than one section or horizontal row, so check the whole sheet.
  5. Tap “Edit Actions.” If it appears at the bottom of the actions list, tap it to open the customization controls. Depending on the app and system version, the control may be labeled “Edit” or appear after scrolling farther down. If there is no editing control, that app may not allow its actions to be customized from that screen.
  6. Add or remove actions. In the editing view, use the plus or minus controls beside an action, or its on/off switch, to add it to or remove it from the list. The exact controls can vary. Removing an action from Favorites or the active list may not delete it; it may remain available in a suggested or other-actions section.
  7. Reorder the actions. If you see a three-line handle beside an action, touch and hold it, then drag the action to the position you want. Put the options you use most near the top. Some sections have their own order, so an action may not move between every group.
  8. Save and check your changes. Tap Done if it appears. Otherwise, close the editing view using its on-screen control or dismiss the Share sheet. Open the Share menu again and check whether the action is present and in the expected place.
  9. Repeat in other apps if needed. Share actions can depend on the app, content type, and system version. If you want a particular option while sharing a photo and a document, check the menu from each app separately rather than assuming one edit applies everywhere.

Common Mistakes

  • Editing the wrong row. Contact and app suggestions near the top are different from the action list. “Edit Actions” usually applies to actions, not to every suggested contact or app.
  • Assuming every app has identical controls. A Share sheet is context-sensitive. An action may be available for a webpage but not for a photo, or the app may provide its own sharing interface.
  • Looking only at the first screenful. The edit control and less-used actions can be farther down. Scroll within the Share sheet before concluding that an option is missing.
  • Expecting an action to be permanently deleted. Removing an action from a preferred section often only changes where it appears; it may still be available elsewhere in the menu.
  • Trying to drag without using the handle. When reordering is supported, use the three-line grip rather than dragging the action’s text. Not every section or item can be moved.

Tips

  • Make changes while sharing the type of content you use most. This helps you see the actions that are actually relevant to that task.
  • Keep a small set of frequently used actions near the top, but leave useful occasional options accessible rather than removing them unnecessarily.
  • Look for “More” or an expanded list if an action is not visible. Some Share sheets show only a short set until you scroll or expand the available actions.
  • Check the menu again after updating iOS or iPadOS. Apple may change the layout, and individual apps can also change which actions they offer.
  • If you use the same action in several apps, test it in each one. Its placement and availability may not be shared across all Share sheets.

Troubleshooting

“Edit Actions” is missing: Scroll to the bottom of the action list, not just the contact or app suggestions. Try another item or app, because not every Share sheet supports editing. If the menu belongs to a third-party app, check whether that app has a separate sharing control.

The action you want is not listed: Expand or scroll through the full list and look for a More section. Some actions appear only for compatible content or when the related app is installed. For example, an action meant for a document may not appear when sharing a photo.

Your changes do not seem to stick: Close the editing view with Done if available, then dismiss and reopen the Share sheet. Make sure you are checking the same app and content type where you made the change. If the layout still seems stuck, close and reopen the app, then check for an available system or app update.

An action is present but does not work: Tap it to see whether the app requests access, needs a compatible file, or requires an additional step. A visible action does not guarantee that it supports every selected item. Try a different compatible item to determine whether the issue is with the content or the action.

The menu looks different from these steps: The Share sheet can vary by iOS or iPadOS release, device, app, and content. Look for the same general areas—the Share button, the action list, and an edit or more control—rather than relying on an exact position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add any action to the iPhone Share menu?
No. You can arrange or enable only actions made available by the system, the current app, and compatible installed apps.

Can I edit the suggested contacts at the top?
Those suggestions are generally based on context and recent activity, and they are separate from the editable action list. You may be able to influence suggestions through your use, but the action editor does not provide a universal way to arrange every contact.

Do Share menu changes sync between iPhone and iPad?
Do not assume they will. Availability and arrangement can depend on the device, app, and system version. Check the Share menu on each device.

Why does an action appear for one file but not another?
Actions are often limited by the selected content. An app may support sharing a webpage or image but not a folder or a different file format.

Can I restore the original Share menu?
Open Edit Actions and turn on or add back the actions you removed, then reorder them as needed. The exact reset options, if any, depend on the version and app.

Does removing an action uninstall its app?
No. Removing or moving an action in the Share sheet changes its availability or placement there; it does not uninstall the related app.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →