How can I create an "empty" icon in iOS 9 that can then contain several apps -- like the existing "Extras" icon already in iOS? I.e something similar to the "Applications" folder in Mac OS?

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Level 2

304 points

How can I create an "empty" icon in iOS 9 that can then contain several apps -- like the existing "Extras" icon already in iOS? I.e something similar to the "Applications" folder in Mac OS?

Apologies ahead of time if this is a really stupid newbie question -- I've been using Macs and the Mac OS since 1985, but only got my first iPhone with iOS a couple weeks ago, so I am still very unfamiliar with the iOS interface and how it operates as compared to the Mac OS. So here is my question:

On my iPhone 5C running iOS 9.0.2, there is an icon on the home screen called "Extras" which is itself not an app but instead which essentially functions as an "empty folder" (according to the old Mac OS metaphor) into which one can "drop" several apps. When I then click on the "Extras" icon, a window opens up showing me all the apps that are contained within this "Extras" icon/folder.

I really like how this works, as it simplifies "icon clutter" on my iPhone. But I'm frustrated that there only seems to be one "Extras" icon, and I can't figure out a way to create a new additional one. Even better, it would be great to be able to create several "empty folder" icons which I could then rename each to my liking, with each containing themes of apps all grouped together (e.g. "Radio/music apps," "drawing/art apps," "maps/hiking apps," etc.).

So: Is there a way to create additional "icons" which function similarly to the existing "Extras" icon in iOS 9? Thanks.

Posted on Mar 25, 2016 11:25 PM

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Answer 1

ckuan

Level 10

120,920 points

Mar 25, 2016 11:30 PM in response to Tuffy Nicolas

To create a new folder, press & hold icon til it wiggles, drag it over to another icon, a folder will be automatically created.

You can rename the folder.

Press Home button again when you've finished.

Note: The folder will disappear if you drag all the apps out.

You cannot create an empty folder.

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Answer 2

Tuffy Nicolas Author

Level 2

304 points

Mar 25, 2016 11:36 PM in response to ckuan

Wow -- it works!

Easier than I thought. They should explain this to new users more obviously, because I certainly couldn't find this info anywhere on the phone itself.

I award you a "Correct Answer" badge for your quick and correct reply!

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Answer 3

Tuffy Nicolas Author

Level 2

304 points

Mar 26, 2016 12:49 AM in response to ckuan

Ah, but y'see, the "help.apple.com" pages don't work with any version of Safari that can run on 10.6.8 (which is what I use) -- that particular Help page, and in fact ALL the Help pages, just appear as blank when viewed with Safari 5.1.10. So for that reason I am unable to view or read any of the info Apple has posted online explaining how to operate my iPhone!

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Answer 4

Tuffy Nicolas Author

Level 2

304 points

Mar 26, 2016 11:44 AM in response to ckuan

OK, to wrap up this discussion, I will describe my final discovery (to anyone in the future who might be interested), which I guess is the answer to my actual original question:

If a person creates a "folder icon" in the manner described above (dropping one app's icon onto another one), but then afterwards tries to remove ALL the apps that are inside that "folder icon," when the last app is removed the new folder icon will disappear! Therefore it seems to be that it is impossible to create or keep an "empty folder" in iOS, unlike as in Mac OS where it is possible to create and keep an empty folder.

This is a little disappointing, but not a big deal, I guess. Not sure why Apple would design iOS this way, to specifically exclude the possibility of user-created empty directories/folders. Ah, well -- life goes on. Thanks for the answer, and I declare this question COMPLETED.

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