"The Settings icon has disappeared from my Home Screen, how do I recover it? Thank you for any assistance."
- from Apple Community
The "Settings" icon on the iPhone is a key entry point for accessing device management features. If the "Settings" icon disappears from iPhone, it can be confusing and frustrating. This issue may be caused by various reasons, but fortunately, there are several ways to restore the iPhone "Settings" icon. This article will explore why the Settings icon missing from iPhone and provide specific solutions to resolve the problem.
If you find the Settings icon on your iPhone missing, it could be caused by one of the following reasons:
Now that we know the reasons behind the iPhone Settings icon disappearing, you can try the following 7 methods to restore the Settings icon on your iPhone.
If you lost the Settings icon on your iPhone, you can find it through the App Library. This is a built-in feature of iOS that stores all your apps.
How do you get the Settings icon back on the iPhone from App Library?
Step 1. Swipe to the far right of your Home screen to access the App Library.
Step 2. Type "Settings" in the search bar at the top.
Step 3. If the "Settings" icon is found, long press the icon and select "Add to Home Screen".
When the Settings icon disappears from the iPhone, aside from the App Library, Spotlight Search is another effective method to quickly restore the icon. With Spotlight Search, you can quickly resolve the issue of "Where is my Settings icon on my iPhone", even if it's hidden in a folder.
How do I get the Settings icon back on my iPhone via Spotlight Search?
Step 1. Swipe down on the Home screen to open Spotlight Search.
Step 2. Type "Settings" and check the search results.
Step 3. Long press the "Settings" icon in the search results, then select "Add to Home Screen".
If you find the Settings icon missing from your iPhone and can't find it through search, resetting the Home Screen layout might be the best option. This action will restore the default app arrangement, including the "Settings" icon.
Here is how to get the Settings icon back on your iPhone by resetting the Home Screen layout:
Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "Reset".
Step 2. Tap "Reset Home Screen Layout".
Step 3. After confirming the action, all app icons will be restored to their default positions, including the "Settings" icon.
If your Settings icon on your iPhone is missing due to a temporary system glitch, restarting the device is one of the quickest solutions.
To restart the iPhone, follow the steps below:
For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later:
For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation):
For iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier:
If restarting doesn't work, the next option is to restore the iPhone via iTunes. Please note that restoring through iTunes will erase all your current data. After backing up your iPhone, follow these steps to restore it via iTunes:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a computer using a USB cable.
Step 2. Open iTunes and select your device once it appears. (iTunes doesn't recognize your iPhone?)
Step 3. Click "Restore Backup" in iTunes and choose the backup you want.
Step 4. Click "Restore" and wait for the process to finish.
If the above methods don't resolve the Settings icon missing issue on your iPhone, you can consider using a professional iPhone system repair tool. iOS System Recovery is one such tool. It can help fix various system issues on iPhone/iPad, including restoring the "Settings" icon. It's easy to use, has a high success rate, and does not result in data loss.
Key features of iOS System Recovery:
Here is how to restore the Settings icon on iPhone using iOS System Recovery:
01Click the download button below to get the tool. Once the download is complete, open the program and select "iOS System Recovery".
02Connect your iPhone to the computer and trust the connection. Then, click "Start" and follow the on-screen instructions to enter recovery mode.
03Choose "Standard Mode" and click "Confirm" to proceed. The tool will begin downloading the necessary iOS firmware.
04Once the download is complete, click "Repair" to start the repair process. The tool will repair your iPhone's system and resolve related issues. Once the process is complete, your iPhone will restart, and the Settings icon should appear back on your home screen.
If none of the above methods work, you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can diagnose the issue and offer helpful solutions.
Q1. Can I delete the "Settings" app from my iPhone?
No, you can't. The "Settings" app is a core system app that comes pre-installed and cannot be deleted. (If you want to delete the app from your iPhone, you can click here to learn how to do it.)
Q2. Why can't I find the "Settings" app in the App Store?
Because the "Settings" app is not a third-party app it is a built-in system app, it cannot be downloaded from the App Store.
If you find the Settings icon missing on your iPhone, the methods provided in this article can help you quickly recover the lost "Settings" icon. If the system issue is severe, we recommend using iOS System Recovery, which can safely and quickly resolve the problem without the risk of data loss.
We hope this article is helpful to you!
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