1. What Does a Minimalist Home Screen Actually Look Like?

Before we dive into the how, let's talk about what we're aiming for.

A minimalist home screen typically has just a few key elements. You'll see maybe 6 to 12 essential apps visible on the main screen, often organized in a single folder or arranged with intentional spacing. The wallpaper is usually simple, maybe a solid color, a subtle gradient, or a calm photo that doesn't compete for attention.

There are minimal or no widgets cluttering the view. If widgets are there, they're purposeful like a simple clock, weather, or calendar. Notification badges are turned off, so there's no visual noise pulling your focus.

Everything else, all those apps you occasionally need but don't use daily, lives in your app library or drawer where you can search for them when needed. Out of sight, out of mind.

The overall feeling? Breathing room. When you unlock your phone, you see space and calm instead of chaos.

2. Why Make Your Home Screen Minimalist?

You might be wondering if this is just about aesthetics. It's not.

A clean home screen reduces decision fatigue. When you have fewer options staring at you, your brain doesn't have to work as hard every time you open your phone.

It curbs mindless scrolling. When social media apps aren't front and center, you're less likely to automatically tap them out of habit.

Your focus improves. With fewer distractions visible, it's easier to use your phone intentionally for what you actually need, then put it down.

It just feels calmer. There's something genuinely soothing about opening your phone and seeing a clean, organized space instead of visual clutter.

Think of it like a tidy desk versus a messy one. Both hold the same stuff, but one makes you feel calm and productive while the other creates low level stress.

3. Step-by-Step: Create a Minimalist Home Screen on iPhone

Let's start with iPhone users. Here's how to transform your home screen into something calm and intentional.

Remove Apps from Your Home Screen

Start by getting most apps off your main screen. Press and hold any app icon until they all start wiggling. For apps you want to keep accessible but not visible, swipe left to see if they show up on another page. Better yet, remove them from your home screen entirely.

Tap the minus sign on any app, then choose "Remove from Home Screen" (not "Delete App"). The app stays on your phone in the App Library, you just won't see it cluttering your view.

Do this for everything except your absolute essentials. Be ruthless. If you don't use it daily, off it goes.

Choose Your Essential Apps

Now decide what actually deserves space on your home screen. Most people find 6 to 12 apps is the sweet spot. Think about what you genuinely use multiple times a day.

Common keepers include Messages, Phone, Camera, Calendar, Notes, and maybe one or two work or productivity apps. Social media? Only if you truly need it front and center. Otherwise, let it live in the App Library where you have to intentionally search for it.

Organize with Folders (Optional)

Some people love a completely clean screen with just one folder. Create a folder by dragging one app icon onto another. Name it something simple like "Tools" or "Daily" or even just leave it unnamed for ultimate minimalism.

Put your essential apps in this single folder, then place the folder wherever feels natural, usually bottom center or middle of the screen.

Alternatively, arrange your essential apps in a single row at the bottom of your screen, leaving the rest beautifully empty.

Turn Off Notification Badges

Those little red circles are attention magnets. Go to Settings → Notifications, then tap each app and toggle off "Badges." Do this for everything except truly urgent apps like Messages or Phone.

Without those red dots screaming for attention, your home screen stays visually calm.

Choose a Simple Wallpaper

Your wallpaper sets the whole vibe. Go for something that doesn't compete with your apps. Solid colors work beautifully, especially muted tones like soft gray, beige, navy, or sage green. Subtle gradients are lovely too.

If you want a photo, choose something minimal like an empty landscape, soft clouds, or abstract shapes. Avoid busy images with lots of detail or bright, competing colors.

You can find great minimalist wallpapers by searching "minimalist iPhone wallpaper" in your browser or checking apps like Unsplash.

Use Widgets Sparingly

Widgets can be helpful, but they can also clutter your screen. If you add any, keep them simple and functional.

A clean clock widget, minimal weather display, or simple calendar works well. Avoid widgets with lots of color, information, or notifications. The goal is utility without visual noise.

Many people skip widgets entirely for the cleanest possible look.

Aim for One Screen

Here's a game changer... try keeping everything on a single home screen. Delete or move apps from all your other pages until you only have one screen to swipe to.

With the App Library on iPhone (swipe all the way right), you don't need multiple pages. Everything is searchable. This forces you to be intentional about what gets prime real estate and creates a genuinely minimalist experience.

4. Step-by-Step: Create a Minimalist Home Screen on Android

Android users, your process is similar but with a few different steps.

Remove Apps from Your Home Screen

Long press any app icon you want to remove, then drag it to the "Remove" option that appears (usually at the top of the screen). This doesn't delete the app, just removes it from your home screen.

Clear out everything except your essentials. All your apps are still accessible through your app drawer (swipe up from the bottom of most Android phones).

Select Your Essential Apps

Just like iPhone users, choose 6 to 12 apps you actually use daily. These are the only ones that should live on your home screen.

Think Phone, Messages, Camera, Google Maps, Calendar, and maybe a few work or utility apps. Be honest about what you truly need visible versus what you can access through your app drawer.

Create One or Two Folders

Android makes folders the same way... long press an app, drag it onto another app, and a folder is created. Name it something simple or leave it unnamed.

Some people create one "Essentials" folder with everything. Others prefer a row of apps at the bottom with nothing else visible. Both work beautifully.

Disable Notification Badges

Go to Settings → Apps → Notifications (the exact path varies by Android version and manufacturer). Select each app and turn off notification dots or badges.

This keeps your screen clean and your attention on what matters rather than constantly being pulled toward those little indicators.

Pick a Minimal Wallpaper

Android gives you tons of wallpaper options. Choose something simple and calming. Solid colors, gentle gradients, or minimalist photography work best.

Google's built in wallpapers often have beautiful abstract and minimal options. You can also download wallpaper apps like Walli or Backdrops that curate minimalist designs.

Avoid busy patterns, bright colors, or images with lots of visual detail. Your wallpaper should fade into the background, not demand attention.

Add Simple Widgets (If Any)

Android widgets can be powerful, but for minimalism, keep them simple. A basic clock, minimal weather widget, or Google search bar can be useful without adding clutter.

Place them intentionally. If you add a clock widget, maybe that's the only thing on your top half of the screen with apps below. Negative space is your friend.

Many minimalist setups skip widgets entirely for maximum simplicity.

Consider Using a Custom Launcher

This is optional and slightly more advanced, but Android lets you customize your home screen experience with launcher apps. Popular options like Nova Launcher or Niagara Launcher give you even more control over layout, icon size, and overall aesthetic.

Niagara Launcher, in particular, is built for minimalism. It creates a simple list view of your essential apps instead of a grid, which many people find incredibly calming.

Only explore this if you're comfortable with a bit of tech tinkering. It's not necessary for a minimalist setup, just an option for those who want extra customization.

5. Layout Ideas and Inspiration

Not sure how to arrange everything? Here are a few simple layouts that work beautifully:

The Single Folder Setup: One folder in the center or bottom center of your screen containing all essential apps. Clean wallpaper. Nothing else. Maximum simplicity.

The Bottom Row: 4 to 6 apps arranged in a single row at the bottom of your screen. Everything else is empty space. Classic and functional.

The Centered Apps: A small grid of 6 to 9 apps centered on your screen with space all around them. Symmetrical and visually pleasing.

The Dock Only: Keep only 3 to 4 apps in your dock (the bottom bar that stays visible on every screen). Remove everything else. Use your app drawer or library for everything else.

The Widget + Apps Combo: A simple clock or calendar widget in the top third, then a single row of essential apps at the bottom. Balanced and practical.

Try a few different layouts and see what feels right. There's no perfect formula, just what works for you.

6. Which Apps to Keep Visible

This is personal, but here are common apps people keep on a minimalist home screen:

Phone and Messages for essential communication. Camera because you don't want to miss a moment fumbling through menus. Calendar or Reminders to stay on top of your day. Notes for quick capture of ideas. Maps if you travel or drive frequently. Music or Podcasts if you use them daily.

Maybe one productivity app like your work email or task manager if it's truly essential. Maybe your banking app if you check it often.

That's usually enough. Everything else can live in your app library or drawer.

7. Which Apps to Hide

Hide anything you don't use daily. This usually includes social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook. The extra friction of searching for them helps break automatic scrolling habits.

News apps, shopping apps, games, subscription services, food delivery, these can all be tucked away. You'll still use them when you need them, but they won't constantly tempt you.

Utility apps you rarely touch like settings for smart home devices, airline apps, or specialty tools definitely belong in your app drawer, not your home screen.

8. Best Wallpapers for Minimalism

Your wallpaper makes or breaks the minimalist vibe. Here's what works:

Solid colors are the ultimate minimalist choice. Soft neutrals like beige, gray, cream, or muted earth tones create instant calm. You can find these by searching "solid color wallpaper" or even creating your own in any photo editing app.

Subtle gradients add a bit of visual interest without being distracting. Think gentle transitions between two close colors like soft blue fading to light gray.

Minimal landscapes work beautifully. Empty beaches, foggy forests, smooth sand dunes, misty mountains, anything with lots of negative space and muted colors.

Abstract minimalism includes simple geometric shapes, soft watercolor washes, or delicate line drawings. These add personality while staying calm.

Black or white can be striking and incredibly clean, especially if you want a truly stark minimalist look.

Avoid busy patterns, bright neon colors, photos with lots of detail or subjects, and anything that makes your app icons hard to see or read.

9. How to Build a Home Screen That Feels Calm

Beyond just removing apps, here are a few extra touches that enhance the calm feeling:

Use consistent icon spacing. Don't crowd everything together. Let your apps breathe with space around them.

Stick to one folder or one row. Consistency in layout creates visual harmony.

Keep your wallpaper muted. Bright or busy backgrounds create visual tension even if you don't consciously notice it.

Turn off all unnecessary notifications. A calm home screen with constant notification pings defeats the purpose.

Review regularly. Every month or so, check if the apps on your home screen are still serving you. Remove what's not.

The goal is for your home screen to feel like a deep breath instead of a shout for attention.

10. Maintaining Your Minimalist Setup

Creating a minimalist home screen is one thing. Keeping it that way is another.

Resist the urge to add apps back. When you download something new, it wants to plop itself right on your home screen. Immediately move it to your app library or drawer instead.

Do a monthly check in. Spend five minutes removing apps you added or stopped using. It's much easier to maintain minimalism than to rebuild it.

Notice how you feel. Pay attention to whether your minimalist setup is actually improving your phone experience. If it feels too restrictive, adjust. The point is to make your phone work for you, not stress you out with rigid rules.

Be flexible. Your needs change. Maybe in summer you need a fitness app front and center, but in winter it can be hidden. Adjust your setup as your life changes.