How to Move and Organize Apps on Apple TV

Moving and organizing apps on Apple TV lets you put the services you use most within easy reach and keep the Home Screen uncluttered. You can rearrange apps with the Siri Remote, create folders on supported versions of tvOS, and remove apps you no longer need. Have your Apple TV and remote ready; menu names and folder options can vary slightly by tvOS version.

What You’ll Need

An Apple TV with its Home Screen visible and a working Siri Remote or compatible remote.
For folder organization, an Apple TV running a tvOS version that supports folders. If you do not see a folder option, use the basic rearranging steps or check for a software update.

Step-by-Step

Go to the Home Screen. Press the Back button on newer Siri Remotes, or the Menu button on older ones, until the Home Screen appears. If an app is open, you may need to press the button more than once.
Highlight the app you want to move. Use the directional ring or touch surface on your remote to select the app icon. Do not open it.
Enter edit mode. Press and hold the clickpad center or touch surface until the app icons begin to jiggle. On some remote and tvOS combinations, pressing and holding the select button has the same effect. A brief press usually opens the app, so keep holding until the icons move.
Move the app. While the icons are jiggling, swipe or press in the direction you want the app to go. Move it across rows as needed. If you are using a touch-enabled remote, use small, deliberate swipes to avoid overshooting.
Place the app. When the icon is in the desired position, press the clickpad center or select button to set it there. Other icons may shift to make room. Repeat for each app you want to rearrange.
Make a folder, if available. In edit mode, move one app onto another app and select the folder option if it appears. On some versions, the system creates a folder automatically. The folder opens so you can check its contents; use the remote to move apps into or out of it.
Rename a folder. Open the folder, select its name, and use the on-screen keyboard to enter a short label, such as “TV” or “Music.” Confirm the name using the on-screen controls. If the name is not selectable, that tvOS version may choose a suggested name based on the apps inside.
Finish editing. Press the Back or Menu button, or use the remote’s select control as prompted, until the icons stop jiggling. Check the Home Screen to confirm the new arrangement.
Remove an app you do not want. Highlight it and enter edit mode. Select the delete or remove control if it is offered, then confirm. Read the confirmation carefully: deleting an app can also remove its locally stored data, and some built-in apps cannot be deleted.

Common Mistakes

Pressing instead of holding: A short press opens an app. Hold the select control until the icons visibly jiggle before trying to move anything.
Trying to move an app from inside a folder: Return to the Home Screen, highlight the folder, and open it. Select the app inside, enter edit mode if needed, then move it to a new position or back out to the Home Screen.
Assuming every app can be deleted: Apple TV system apps and some apps tied to tvOS may not offer a delete option. If the option is absent, leave the app in a less prominent position instead.
Confusing removal with hiding: The available action can depend on the app and software version. Check the wording before confirming, particularly if you want to keep app data or merely make an icon less visible.
Moving too quickly on a touch surface: Fast swipes can skip the position you want. Use short movements and pause to see where the icon lands.

Tips

Put frequently used apps in the first row or another easy-to-reach spot. Arrange less-used apps farther down, or group related apps in folders when your Apple TV supports them.
Use concise folder names that are easy to recognize from across the room. A small number of clear categories is usually easier to navigate than many narrowly divided folders.
Make changes one app at a time and exit edit mode to review the result. This makes it easier to spot an app placed in the wrong row.
If multiple people use the Apple TV, choose an arrangement that is easy for everyone to understand. Moving an app changes its position on the device, not the account or subscription associated with it.
Keep tvOS current if you want the latest interface options. To check, open Settings, choose System, then Software Updates and select Update Software. Menu wording can vary by version.

Troubleshooting

The icons will not jiggle. Make sure you are on the Home Screen and highlighting an app rather than opening it. Hold the select control longer. If the remote has a touch surface, try clicking the center rather than swiping. Check that the remote is connected and responding to other navigation.

The app moves but will not stay where you put it. After moving it, press the select control to place it, then exit edit mode. If you leave before confirming, the icon may return to its previous position. Try moving it one position at a time.

I cannot create a folder. Folder creation is not presented the same way on every tvOS version. Try dragging one app onto another while the icons jiggle and watch for an on-screen prompt. If no folder is offered, update tvOS if possible; otherwise, arrange apps in rows without folders.

An app is missing after I rearranged things. Check other Home Screen rows and open any folders. If you removed it, search for the app in the App Store and reinstall it if it is available. Reinstallation may not restore locally stored data.

The remote is not responding consistently. Check its charge, move closer to Apple TV, and try the on-screen controls again. Restart Apple TV from Settings > System > Restart if navigation remains unreliable. Avoid unplugging it during a software update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move apps on Apple TV without a Siri Remote?
Yes, if you have a compatible remote with navigation and a select button. Use its select control to enter edit mode, then directional controls to move the highlighted app.

How do I move an app back to the first row?
Enter edit mode on the Home Screen, move the app upward and across to the desired position, select to place it, and exit edit mode.

Can I organize Apple TV apps into folders?
Some tvOS versions support folders. Try moving one app onto another while icons jiggle. If the option does not appear, your software version or interface may not support that method.

Will rearranging apps delete them?
No. Moving an app only changes its Home Screen position. Deleting or removing it is a separate action and may affect data stored on the device.

Why can’t I delete a particular app?
Some built-in or system apps do not provide a delete option. If you cannot remove one, move it to a less-used position if the interface allows it.

Does moving an app change its account or subscription?
No. Rearranging an icon does not change the app’s sign-in, account, or subscription. Those are managed within the app or its associated account settings.

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

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