Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid

iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter.

iPhone Home Screen Gradient Blank Spaces 1
While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce the ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was first to report that the iPhone would get a "more customizable" Home Screen starting with iOS 18. It is already possible to customize the Home Screen and create blank app icons with apps such as Shortcuts and Widgetsmith, but Apple's own personalization options will be more convenient and official.

iPhone users have already been able to customize the Lock Screen since iOS 16, and we expect the Home Screen to receive similar treatment with iOS 18. The update will introduce additional customization options for the Home Screen, according to our sources, and this could result in the biggest Home Screen revamp in several years.


Apple will announce iOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June. Other features and changes rumored for the update include new generative AI functionality for Siri and multiple apps, RCS support in the Messages app for improved messaging between iPhones and Android devices, design changes, and more.

Related Roundup: iOS 18

Top Rated Comments

antiprotest Avatar
6 weeks ago
Tim Cook said they will break new grounds. Tim Cook delivers. Innovation at its best. Many might say Apple is more than a decade behind, but as MacRumors users let us know, Apple is often late, but when they finally offers a feature, they make it better than everyone else. Putting aside the obvious question of why they wouldn't offer it right along with everyone else and then make it better, rather than making users wait for years without the features at all...I am certain Apple's blank space will be more blank and polished than Android's!
Score: 86 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
6 weeks ago
" the update will introduce the ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between app icons."

This is the most customizable iOS we have ever created, with state-of-the-art icon placement, the best row/column system yet that enables game-changing new layouts, and all new emojicons, which ushers in a new chapter of performance gains never before seen on iPhone. You're going to love it.

all it took was a little courage:



Attachment Image
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
6 weeks ago

Siri is already crazy good. It’s incredible how much it can do for us today.
Thanks for your input, Tim!
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcru21 Avatar
6 weeks ago
truly groundbreaking. they finally figured it out
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tgwaste Avatar
6 weeks ago
more apps per row and column is what i want the most.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robvalentine Avatar
6 weeks ago

Siri is already crazy good. It’s incredible how much it can do for us today.
I take it you have never used Siri?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

f 7ba5b5b668dd68b7179a599305cff6b117ef35d1

Apple Announces New iPad Pro With M4 Chip, OLED Display, and More

Tuesday May 7, 2024 7:15 am PDT by
Apple today unveiled redesigned iPad Pro models featuring the M4 chip, Ultra Retina XDR OLED displays, a nano-texture display option, and more. The new iPad Pro offers a considerably thinner design and slightly larger 11- and 13-inch display size options. The 11-inch model is 5.3mm thick and weighs less than a pound, while the 13-inch model is just 5.1mm thick and weighs a quarter pound less ...
5

Apple Event Live Blog: New iPad Pro, iPad Air, and More

Tuesday May 7, 2024 6:33 am PDT by
Apple's "Let Loose" event kicks off today at the unusual time of 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and we're expecting to see an iPad-focused event with new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, updated Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard accessories, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

Apple Says iOS 17.5 Coming 'Soon' With These New Features for iPhones

Monday May 6, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
Apple today announced that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public "soon," following over a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it does have a few new features and changes, as outlined in the list below. "The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5," said Apple, in its...
f 157980180c661f30ff9611287c90241baf30faff

Apple Announces Redesigned Magic Keyboard for New iPad Pro Starting at $299

Tuesday May 7, 2024 7:39 am PDT by
Apple at its "Let Loose" event today announced a new Magic Keyboard for the latest iPad Pro models, with a thinner, lighter design. Apple says the Magic Keyboard has been redesigned to be thinner and lighter, while maintaing the same floating design. Two colors are available that match the new iPad Pro. New features include a function row with screen brightness controls, an aluminum...
maxresdefault

Everything Announced at Today's Apple Event

Tuesday May 7, 2024 1:06 pm PDT by
Apple today held the first event of 2024, debuting new iPad Air and iPad Pro models and accompanying accessories. While the event was faster than normal and took 40 minutes, we've condensed it down even further for those who want a quick overview of everything that was announced. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We've also got a full recap of all of the coverage...
iPhone 15 Colors yellow

'iPhone 17 Slim' With Smaller Display Rumored to Launch Next Year

Monday May 6, 2024 9:14 am PDT by
While the iPhone 16 series is still months away from launching, an early rumor about an all-new iPhone 17 model has now surfaced. In a research note with investment firm Haitong this week, analyst Jeff Pu said Apple is planning a so-called "iPhone 17 Slim" model that would replace the Plus model in the lineup. Pu said this model will feature around a 6.6-inch display, a slimmer design, an...