To change your Apple Watch home screen, you can switch between Grid View and List View, rearrange app icons, create folders, or remove apps, all directly on the watch or from your iPhone. The key is knowing which view you're in, because manual rearrangement only works in Grid View.
Choose How Your Apple Watch Home Screen Looks: Grid View vs. List View
Your Apple Watch can display apps in two primary ways: Grid View, which shows a honeycomb-like arrangement of icons, or List View, which presents a vertical, alphabetically sorted list. To switch between them directly on the watch, press the Digital Crown to reach the Home Screen, scroll all the way to the bottom, and tap either "Grid View" or "List View." Alternatively, open the Settings app on your watch, tap "App View," and choose your preferred layout. If the screen orientation seems wrong after changing views, you might need to fix your my Apple watch face upside down setting. If you want to enjoy media on the go, you can also watch video on Apple watch right from your wrist.
How To Rearrange Apps on Your Apple Watch in Grid View
Rearranging apps is only possible when the Home Screen is set to Grid View. If you're in List View, switch back to Grid View first using the method above. Then, press the Digital Crown to see all apps, and touch and hold any app icon until every icon starts to wiggle. While in wiggle mode, drag the app to its new spot on the grid, you can place it anywhere, including the edges or corners. When you're satisfied, press the Digital Crown again to save your changes and exit wiggle mode. This is the fastest way to put your most-used apps within thumb's reach.
How To Create App Folders to Declutter Your Home Screen
Grouping related apps into folders is a smart way to reduce visual clutter and keep your Grid View tidy. To create a folder, enter wiggle mode by touching and holding any app icon. Then drag one app directly on top of another app you want to group with it, and release your finger, the watch will instantly form a folder containing both apps. To add more apps, keep dragging them onto the folder icon. This lets you consolidate many apps into a few organized groups, making the Home Screen far easier to navigate.
How To Remove Apps from the Home Screen in Grid View
If your Grid View feels overcrowded, you can remove apps without deleting them. Enter wiggle mode by touching and holding the app icon you want to remove. A small "X" button will appear on the top-left corner of that icon, tap it, then confirm by tapping "Delete App" on the pop-up. The app disappears from your Home Screen, but it's not gone from your watch; you can still find it in the App Launcher by pressing the Digital Crown and scrolling. This is perfect for hiding rarely used apps while keeping them accessible when needed. Repeat the process for any other icons you want to clear away, then press the Digital Crown to exit wiggle mode.
Organize Your Home Screen Using the iPhone Watch App
For a more precise and comfortable way to rearrange apps, use your iPhone instead of the tiny watch screen. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap "My Watch," then tap "App View," and finally tap "Arrangement." You'll see a grid of your watch apps on the larger iPhone display. Touch and hold any app icon and drag it to a new position, the change syncs to your watch automatically. This method is especially handy when you have many apps to move or want to fine-tune the layout without squinting at the watch. It works only when your watch is set to Grid View, so make sure that's selected in the same App View settings. After you finish arranging, the Home Screen on your watch updates instantly, giving you a clean, personalized layout without any fiddly on-watch gestures.
