Solve the “Can’t rearrange app icons” problem in iOS 13

iOS 13.1.3 has a bug: you can’t rearrange app icons! Well, actually you can, but you have to know the trick. Here it is.

iOS 13.1.3 (and possibly earlier versions) has a bug that makes rearranging icons almost impossible. You can drag an icon to place but it snaps back to where it came from. In fact, it doesn’t even quite go where it should go (and it doesn’t show an “x” in the top left corner, and the name disappears also– see below).

Left side: App has no name, no “x”, and it’s not quite on the grid.
Right side: everything is fine.

The solution is sort of ridiculous but it works:

Turn off “Zoom” in the Accessibility settings.

  1. Settings
  2. Accessibility
  3. Turn off Zoom
Turning off Zoom in Accessibility settings

You can turn Zoom back on after you’re rearranged the icons. Just remember to turn it off again if you have trouble moving things around.

(If you’re not having problems dragging things around you must already have Zoom off. Lucky break for you!)

Author: Christian Boyce

Christian Boyce is a Mac and iPhone expert specializing in teaching people how to use Apple devices better, to get more done with them, and to have more fun doing it. He bought his first Mac (a Mac Plus) in 1986 and his first iPhone in 2007. He's written books and magazine articles, and given seminars at Macworld Expo, MacFair/LA, and the California Computer Expo. Over 30 years in the business.

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