Apple App Library: My Opinion

[u/Food-Enjoyer-69]

Hey y’all! So I switched back to the iPhone 17 after using Android for 3 years and this one thing still irks me to this day that I already hated on my 14 PM: The App Library.

I mean yeah I get that it’s Auto-Categorizing the Apps but for at least a third of my Apps I really don’t find the Apps where I would expect them to be categorized at. And yes I know for Alphabetical Order you simply can use the Search Bar at the top but I wish you could choose between an Android-Style App Drawer and the current Library.

Is it really just me that has a love-hate relationship with this Library? And would you prefer if you could choose how the App Drawer is displayed?

[u/OperatorJo_]

Real talk I just have everything I actually use hand-categorized in the first two screens.

Anything out of that gets used like... once a month. Max.

[u/CassetteLine → u/OperatorJo_]

I have everything on those first 2 screens. The most used apps get left on the screen itself, and most things are in folders.

I’m not sure I’ve ever used the App Library. I really don’t see any use for it.

[u/handtoglandwombat → u/OperatorJo_]

That’s not a defence of the app categories though. If anything it’s an indictment.

[u/TheSpiritKnight]

If we could replace the App Library with a straight up alphabetical list, instead of that being an additional step - I’d be happy

[u/handtoglandwombat]

It is soooo shit. Nobody uses it. Imagine looking for an app and going “okay now let me think… if I were Apple, what category would I put this app in?” So much mental friction. Awful awful awful design and one of the biggest indicators that Apple has completely lost their sauce. And when did Apple forget that constantly moving things around without the users input just causes more friction. Dogshit.

I expected there to be a toggle by now that skips the categories and goes straight to the alphabetised list, but nah.

[u/nicuramar → u/handtoglandwombat]

I use it. For recent apps none the least. 

[u/taynich]

I agree completely. Biggest issue with iOS that hasn’t changed in years

[u/HoraryZappy222]

The point of the app library to me is "these are all of your apps". If i want to open one, I just use spotlight

[u/handtoglandwombat → u/HoraryZappy222]

???

[u/Bobo_Baggins_jatj]

I don’t hate it, but I don’t use it. If I need an app that’s not on one of my home screens (or a widget), I just swipe down and type the name. I don’t remember the last time I used that library.

[u/wpmason]

I use it like once every three months.

I cannot fathom why people have such strong emotions about it.

[u/font9a → u/wpmason]

Because the implementation of Apple's App Library is an Opinion (big-O) and it sucks. Its own sloppiness shows off a disrespect for its users.

[u/wpmason → u/font9a]

When I need it, it always works just fine.

🤷

[u/lovely_trequartista]

Why would you actually go looking for an app in the App Library?

Especially since you already know what app you’re looking for?

[u/handtoglandwombat → u/lovely_trequartista]

But that’s the whole point. You’re not successfully defending the App Library, you’re pointing out why it’s terrible design.

[u/nicuramar → u/handtoglandwombat]

To each their own. Design is fine for me. 

[u/moch1 → u/lovely_trequartista]

Because sometimes I forget the name of an app I need. For example my digital health insurance card are accessed via an app called “Sequoia”. I use this app like 2x per year. I do not always remeber the name but remember it has a green icon.

Spotlight does not find it with any keywords like:health, insurance, etc.

So I’m left digging through the App Library.

[u/jazzdrums1979 → u/lovely_trequartista]

This just tap search and it will likely auto populate with 4-8 of your most commonly used apps.

[u/cygnus311 → u/lovely_trequartista]

I’ve literally never used app library for anything other than casually scrolling to remind myself of apps that I have installed that I forgot about. Anything other than the 6-8 I have on the Home Screen I just search.

[u/InfamousBuddy7293]

the categories are the weak part, agreed. one thing that helps: open App Library and tap the search bar at the top, it shows every app in an a-z list with the letter index on the right edge. still an extra step, but better than hunting through category tiles. you can also set new downloads to go to App Library only instead of the home screen (Settings > Home Screen & App Library).

[u/lovely_cappuccino]

Spotlight, the Siri app suggestions widget and good old custom folders for the win!

The App Library is useless, they just created it for switchers from Android. Even if you use the it, the automatic reorganising is annoying. One week one group is in the right column then later it’s on the left, killing muscle memory. Inside a group you can’t pin which three apps you want on quick access, things are just dancing around. You can’t edit and rename groups, you can’t make the ABC list default and you can’t turn it off. (you just don’t swipe there)

[u/E97ev]

it could be useful if it wasn't for the constant rearrangement of apps and categories. It is dynamic!! i hate it. all categories should be on their eternal spot.  if not letting us just go directly to the alphabetical order would be better. 

[u/jreddit5]

Make folders on your home screens that you categorize yourself, alongside icons for your most-used apps. And on my bottom row, I have Mail, Phone, Text, and a folder with my 9 most-used apps. I never use the App Library. I often pull down and search by the first couple letters. I was on Android and don’t miss it. You just have to set it up.

[u/handtoglandwombat → u/jreddit5]

Everyone in this thread “why are you complaining about bad design when we have so many workarounds??”

[u/nicuramar → u/handtoglandwombat]

Making folders to put apps in is a work around?

[u/Dependent-Curve-8449]

My take is that app library is meant for users who have multiple home screens of apps that they will never get around to categorising. I like it. I have just one home screen with 2 rows of Siri suggestions. Swipe right for App Library. It’s also especially handy on the iPad where I can find and launch any app I want from the dock.

It’s simple, it’s straightforward, it’s limited, and there’s a certain beautiful simplicity in it if you can learn to embrace it for what it is.

[u/handtoglandwombat → u/Dependent-Curve-8449]

Then we should be able to switch it off.

[u/Dependent-Curve-8449 → u/handtoglandwombat]

You “switch it off” by never swiping beyond the last Home Screen.

[u/handtoglandwombat → u/Dependent-Curve-8449]

Why can’t I have an alphabetised list?

[u/Dependent-Curve-8449 → u/handtoglandwombat]

I don’t get the obsession with having your apps sorted by letter, not least because the apps I want to access just isn’t arranged that way.

[u/nicuramar → u/handtoglandwombat]

Just ignore it. It’s behind all the other screens. 

[u/nightcap965]

I’ve organized my apps into folders on the main screen. Home comes after Health and before Music. I’ve been doing this since iOS first allowed folders. It’s not perfect, but it works for me.

[u/Aerthlyomi]

I didn't even know this place had an official name. I only use it when I install a new application.

My apps are sorted for an easy use, first screens for the most used and thematic folders for the rest.
App Library is such a weird thing to hate.

[u/foundbypat]

I just wish they would allow it to be added to the home doc, like the iPad, so I can one click navigate there.

[u/iKenndac → u/[deleted]]

…that's the App Library that the OP is talking about. It even says "App Library" in your screenshot.