Move Multiple Apps on iPhone iOS 11: Step-by-Step

This guide shows you how to move multiple apps at once on an iPhone running iOS 11, saving you from dragging each icon individually. You’ll learn the touch gestures that let you pick up several apps simultaneously and rearrange them on your home screen or into folders. No special tools or settings are required—just your finger and a steady hand.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 11 (check in Settings > General > About > Software Version)
• Enough free space on your home screen to place the apps you’re moving
• A few minutes of patience—the gesture takes a bit of practice

Step-by-Step

1. Enter jiggle mode: Press and hold any app icon on your home screen until all icons start to wiggle. If you press too briefly, the app will just open—hold for about a second.
2. Pick up the first app: While the icons are wiggling, touch and hold the first app you want to move. Don’t lift your finger yet. After a moment, the app will lift slightly, as if it’s “stuck” to your finger.
3. Add a second app: With your first finger still holding the first app, use another finger (from your other hand or the same hand) to tap lightly on a second app icon. That second app will slide under your first finger, stacking on top of it. You’ll see a small badge showing the number of apps you’ve picked up.
4. Add more apps (up to 12): Continue tapping additional app icons with your free finger to add them to the stack. iOS 11 allows up to 12 apps in a single move. Each tap adds one more icon to the pile under your finger.
5. Move the stack: Once you’ve gathered all the apps you want, drag your finger (with the stack) to the desired location on the home screen. You can move it left, right, or to a different page by dragging it to the edge of the screen and holding briefly.
6. Drop the apps: When the stack is where you want it, lift your finger. The apps will scatter into the nearest available spaces, filling in gaps around existing icons.
7. Exit jiggle mode: Press the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom on iPhone X) to stop the wiggling and lock your new layout.

Common Mistakes

• Tapping too hard: If you tap the second app too forcefully, you might enter “edit mode” for that app instead of adding it to the stack. Use a light, quick tap.
• Lifting your first finger: If you lift your first finger even for a moment, the stack resets and you have to start over. Keep that finger pressed down until you’re ready to drop.
• Using the same finger for both: You can’t pick up a second app with the same finger that’s holding the first—you need a second finger. If you try, you’ll just move the first app.
• Adding too many apps: iOS 11 limits the stack to 12 apps. If you try to add a 13th, it won’t join the stack, and you might accidentally drop the whole stack.
• Moving into a full page: If there’s no empty space on the target page, the apps will bounce back or scatter unpredictably. Make sure there’s room before you drop.

Tips

• Use two hands: It’s much easier to use one finger to hold the first app and the other hand’s finger to tap additional apps. This gives you better control.
• Tap, don’t press: For each additional app, use a quick, light tap—not a long press. A long press might trigger a context menu or cause the app to jiggle individually.
• Move to another page: To move the stack to a different home screen page, drag it to the left or right edge of the screen and hold for a second. The page will turn automatically.
• Create a folder in one move: If you drag the stack onto another app icon, iOS will create a folder containing all the apps in the stack plus that app. This is a quick way to organize related apps.
• Undo a mistake: If you drop the apps in the wrong place, just pick them up again (one by one) and rearrange. There’s no undo button, but you can always re-enter jiggle mode.

Troubleshooting

The second app doesn’t join the stack. This usually happens if you’re pressing too hard or holding too long. Try a lighter, quicker tap. Also, make sure your first finger is still holding the first app firmly—if it’s lifted even slightly, the stack won’t form.

The stack scatters when I try to move it. This can happen if you lift your first finger accidentally or if you move too quickly. Slow down, keep your first finger steady, and move the stack gently. If it still scatters, try picking up fewer apps at once.

I can only pick up one app at a time. Double-check that you’re in jiggle mode (icons wiggling) and that you’re using a second finger to tap. Also, ensure you’re not in “edit home screen” mode from a long press on empty space—that mode doesn’t support multi-app selection.

The apps won’t drop where I want them. If the target area is full, iOS will push apps to the next available spot. Free up space by moving some icons to another page first, or use the folder trick to consolidate.

My iPhone doesn’t respond to the gesture at all. Restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turn it back on. This clears any temporary glitches. Also, make sure your screen is clean and dry—moisture can interfere with multi-touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move multiple apps on an iPhone with iOS 10 or earlier? No, the multi-app move gesture was introduced in iOS 11. On earlier versions, you can only move one app at a time.

How many apps can I move at once? iOS 11 allows up to 12 apps in a single stack. If you try to add more, the 13th won’t join.

Does this work on iPad with iOS 11? Yes, the same gesture works on iPad running iOS 11 or later.

Can I move apps between pages with this method? Yes, drag the stack to the edge of the screen and hold until the page turns, then drop on the new page.

What if I accidentally drop the stack on top of another app? That will create a folder containing all the apps in the stack plus that app. You can rename the folder or move apps out later.

Is there a way to select apps without holding the first one? No, the gesture requires holding the first app to keep the stack active. There’s no checkbox or selection mode in iOS 11.

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