How to customize the home screen on iOS 16
The home screen of your iPhone is the first thing you see every time you pick it up. And let’s be honest, the default layout can get boring after a while. Luckily, iOS 16 offers a variety of ways to customize your home screen and make it truly yours. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started:
Rearrange and organize your apps
The first step to customizing your home screen is to rearrange and organize your apps. To do this, press and hold any app on your home screen until it starts shaking. Then, move it around to wherever you want it to be. You can also put apps into folders by dragging one app on top of another. This is a great way to create categories of apps, like “Social,” “Games,” or “Productivity.” To rename a folder, tap on it to open it, then tap on the name of the folder at the top and type in a new name.
To delete an app, simply press and hold it until it starts shaking, then tap the “X” in the corner of the app icon. You can also do this from the “App Library,” which is a new feature in iOS 14 that automatically organizes your apps into folders. To access the App Library, swipe left on your last home screen page.
Add widgets to your home screen
Widgets are a new addition to iOS 14 and can be added to your home screen to display useful information at a glance. To add a widget, press and hold on your home screen, tap the “+” icon in the top left corner, then scroll through the list of available widgets and select the one you want to add. You can also customize some widgets by tapping on them and selecting “Edit” to change their size or the information they display.
Widgets come in different shapes and sizes, so you can choose the ones that fit your needs and your style. You can also stack widgets on top of each other to save space on your home screen. To do this, drag one widget on top of another and they will automatically form a stack. You can swipe up and down on the stack to scroll through the widgets in it.
Create custom app icons with Shortcuts
If you want to take your home screen customization to the next level, you can create custom app icons using the Shortcuts app. To do this, open the Shortcuts app, tap the “+” icon to create a new shortcut, then select “Add Action” and search for the app you want to create a shortcut for. Once you find it, tap on it, then tap the ellipsis (…) icon and select “Add to Home Screen.” From there, you can select a custom icon for the app shortcut by tapping on the icon next to the app name. You can choose from a variety of built-in icons or use your own images.
Creating custom app icons can be a time-consuming process, but it can give your home screen a unique and personalized look. You can even create themed app icons for holidays, seasons, or special events.
Use wallpaper to set the tone for your home screen
Your wallpaper is the backdrop for your home screen, so choosing the right one can make a big difference. iOS 14 has a variety of built-in wallpapers to choose from, but you can also use your own photos or download wallpapers from a website like Unsplash or WallpaperHub. To change your wallpaper, go to “Settings,” then “Wallpaper,” and select the image you want to use.
You can also use wallpaper to create a cohesive look for your home screen. For example, you can use a set of wallpapers that all have a similar color scheme or theme. This can help tie your home screen together and make it feel more intentional.
Customizing your home screen is a fun and creative way to make your iPhone feel more like your own. With the tips and tricks above, you can create a home screen that’s both functional and beautiful. So go ahead and get started – the possibilities are endless!
Disabling the search bar from the Home Screen
If you are not a fan of the search bar’s placement on the Home Screen, you can always opt to disable it entirely. Doing so is straightforward, and you can choose to re-enable it any time you want. Here’s how to get rid of the search bar entirely:
- From the Home Screen, tap and hold down on an empty space to enter “Jiggle” mode.
- Tap on the Search bar located at the top of the screen.
- Now, tap and hold the Done button, and the search bar will disappear from your Home Screen.
Please note that disabling the search bar does not remove the search functionality from your iPhone. You can still initiate a search by swiping down on the Home Screen.
If you ever need to re-enable the search bar, simply follow the steps again and tap on the Search bar. You can then toggle the “Show Search” option to re-enable the Search Bar on your Home Screen.
With these tips, you should now be able to remove the Search Bar from your iPhone Home Screen in various ways. Remember that none of these processes will remove the search functionality entirely; they will only change how the feature appears on your smartphone.
Using third-party apps to hide the search bar on iOS 16
If you are not comfortable with jailbreaking your iOS 16 device, then using a third-party app is your best shot at getting rid of the search bar on your iPhone or iPad. There are many third-party apps available on the App Store that can help you hide the search bar, but not all of them are reliable.
The third-party apps work by using a virtual screen overlay to hide the search bar. This means that the app will create a layer that will sit on top of the search bar and hide it from view. However, keep in mind that using a third-party app may cause performance issues on your device or even pose a security risk, so make sure that you trust the app and only download it from a reputable source.
Here are some trusted third-party apps that you can use to hide the search bar on iOS 16:
1. Launcher for iOS
Launcher for iOS is a popular app that lets you customize your iPhone’s home screen, and it also has a feature that hides the search bar. The app is easy to use; download it from the App Store, open it, and select the option to hide the search bar. The search bar will then be hidden from view, and you can enjoy a cleaner, more minimalist look on your home screen.
2. Hide Search Bar
Hide Search Bar is another app that can help you get rid of the search bar on iOS 16. This app is free to download and use, and it works by creating a blank space where the search bar would normally be. To use the app, download it from the App Store and follow the on-screen instructions to hide the search bar.
3. Cx File Explorer
Cx File Explorer is a file management app that can also hide the search bar on your device. The app is free to download and use, and it offers a range of features, including the ability to browse files, manage storage, and hide the search bar. To hide the search bar on your device using Cx File Explorer, download the app from the App Store and follow the on-screen instructions.
Before you download any of these third-party apps, it’s important to read reviews from other users to determine if they are reliable and trustworthy. Additionally, make sure that you understand how the app works and that you are comfortable with any potential risks that may come with using it.
In conclusion, getting rid of the search bar on iOS 16 doesn’t have to be a hassle. Whether you choose to jailbreak your device or use a third-party app, there are a variety of options available to help you achieve a cleaner, more minimalist user interface on your iPhone or iPad
How to disable Siri Suggestions from appearing on your screen
One of the prominent features of iOS 16 is Siri Suggestions, which is designed to provide users with relevant and timely suggestions in different forms. These suggestions may include apps, contacts, or other Siri-based functionalities. While this feature could come in handy for some users, others may find it overwhelming or unnecessary. If you are one of those who find Siri Suggestions distracting, there are several ways to disable it from appearing on your screen.
Here’s how:
1. Disable Siri Suggestions for Lock Screen
The first thing you can do to disable Siri Suggestions from your screen is to stop it from appearing on your lock screen. This can be done by navigating to your Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Settings > Touch ID & Passcode, depending on your iPhone model. Once there, enter your passcode or use Face ID/Touch ID to access the settings, and scroll down to find the Siri Suggestions section. You can then toggle off the “Suggestions on Lock Screen” option.
2. Disable Siri Suggestions for Spotlight
Siri Suggestions also appear when using the Spotlight search on your iPhone, which can be overwhelming for some. If you want to disable this feature, you can navigate to Settings > Siri & Search, and scroll down to find the “Suggestions in Search” section. Then, toggle off the “Suggestions in Search” and “Suggestions in Lookup” options to disable Siri Suggestions from appearing in Spotlight.
3. Disable Siri Suggestions for Individual Apps
Some apps also integrate with Siri Suggestions, including Mail, Messages, and Photos. If you don’t want to see Siri Suggestions from specific apps, you can disable the feature for those apps by going to Settings > Siri & Search, and scrolling down to find the “App Suggestions” section. From there, you can toggle off the “Learn from App” option of the specific apps you want to exclude from Siri Suggestions.
4. Disable Siri Suggestions Entirely
If you want to disable Siri Suggestions entirely, which means the feature will not appear anywhere on your screen, you can do so by navigating to Settings > Siri & Search, and toggling off the “Suggestions when Search” option. You can also turn off the “Suggestions in Look up” option to get rid of Siri Suggestions completely.
By following these steps, you should be able to disable Siri Suggestions from appearing on your screen. However, keep in mind that disabling Siri Suggestions may limit some of the features that rely on it, such as your personalized news or app suggestions.
Final Steps to Ensure Complete Removal of the Search Bar on iOS 16
Now that you have followed all the previous steps and have successfully hidden the search bar on your iOS 16 device, it’s essential to take some final steps to ensure it’s completely removed from your device. Here are some things you can do:
1. Clear Your Browser Cache
One of the reasons you may want to remove the search bar from your device could be to increase its speed. However, the search bar’s presence on your device may have saved some data and files in your device’s browser cache, which could still affect your device’s speed. Clearing your browser cache can help remove any residual files and data that could be slowing down your device. To clear your browser cache on iOS 16:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Safari
- Tap Clear History and Website Data
- Tap Clear History and Data
2. Disable Siri Suggestions
The search bar is linked to Siri Suggestions, which suggests an app or action based on your usage and search history. If you want to make sure that the search bar is completely removed from your device, you need to disable Siri Suggestions. To disable Siri Suggestions on iOS 16:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Siri & Search
- Toggle off the switch next to Suggestions in Search
3. Restart Your Device
After making changes to your device, it’s always advisable to restart your device. Restarting your device can help ensure that any modifications you make take effect. To restart your iOS 16 device:
- Press and hold the Side button or the Volume button and the Home button (if your device has one) until the slider appears
- Drag the slider to turn off your device
- Press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo
4. Update Your iOS Software
Updating your iOS software can help resolve any software issues you may have been experiencing while using your device or making changes to it. Updating your software ensures that your device is running at its optimal performance levels. To update your iOS 16 software, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings
- Tap on General
- Tap on Software update
5. Contact Technical Support
If you’ve followed all the previous steps and are still having issues removing the search bar from your iOS 16 device, you could reach out to Apple’s technical support team for further assistance. They can provide you with specific, personalized steps to remove the search bar entirely. To contact technical support for iOS 16, follow these steps:
- Go to the Apple Support Website
- Select your device
- Describe the issue you’re facing
- Choose how you want to reach out to the Support Team (Call, Chat, or Email)
These final steps will help ensure that any remnants of the search bar are removed from your device and that it’s running at its optimal performance levels. Removing the search bar can also help declutter your device, giving you more space to store your apps and personal data. It’s essential to keep your device updated and to reach out to technical support if you face any issues.
