How to Add Messages App Back to iPhone Home Screen

‘I accidentally deleted the Messages icon while trying to hide it from my iPhone home screen.’ This is a common query of most iPhone users.

Though it’s certainly worrisome if the messaging app suddenly disappears from your iPhone since it’s an essential app. That said, if you can’t find the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad then you shouldn’t worry.

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How to reinstall the Messages app on your iPhone

In case the Messages app icon is missing from your iPhone then you might be looking to reinstall it. The fact is that you can neither download nor reinstall the Messages app on an iPhone. Moreover, you cannot explicitly update the Messages app on iPhone since its updates are tied to iOS updates.

The reason is, just like Mail and Notes, Messages is a core element of iOS and iPadOS that is baked into the operating system. It is also the default messaging app on iPhone. Hence, it is not possible to Offload or delete the Messages app unlike a few other pre-installed apps on iOS such as GarageBand and iMovie.

This means that the Messages app is intact on your iPhone with all your text messages and custom settings. Perhaps, the app isn’t appearing as you might have accidentally removed it from your home screen or moved it to an app folder.

Thankfully, you can easily add the Messages app back to the home screen on your iPhone and access it like before. Let’s find out how to restore the Message icon on iPhone running iOS 14.

How to add Messages to the home screen in iOS 14 on iPhone

Use one of the below ways to get the Messages app back on your iPhone or iPad.

Using App Library on iOS 14

Go to the App Library and open the Social folder. [Refer: How to find iOS 14’s App Library]
Look for the Messages app.
Press and hold an empty area on the screen to activate the jiggle mode.
Tap and hold the Messages app icon and drag it to one of the home screens.
Tap ‘Done’ at the top right after moving the app.

That’s it. In a similar way, you can put other apps back to the home screen in iOS 14.

Using Spotlight Search

If the message icon isn’t present on your home screen, then use Spotlight Search to see if the app is there in an app folder. This method also works with iOS 13.

For this, simply swipe down the screen while you are on the home screen. Type messages in the search box at the top. The particular app folder name in which the Messages app is residing will be shown.

You can now move ‘Messages’ from that folder to your main home screen or some other app folder.

TIP: If Messages don’t appear in Spotlight Search then go to Settings > Messages > Siri & Search. In the While Searching section, turn on the toggle button next to “Show App in Search”.

ALSO READ: How to permanently delete an app that is hidden from Home Screen in iOS 14

Find Messages in the App Library

If Messages isn’t there in the Social app group then just search for the app in the App Library.

To do so, swipe down on the App Library page and search for Messages. To put Messages back on the iPhone dock, press and hold the Messages app icon and continue holding it until you can add the app back to the home screen. Then drag and place the app in the dock.

how to add messages to home screen on iphone

Alternative Way – Long-press the Messages icon in App Libray and select “Add to Home Screen“.

Note that the add to home screen option won’t appear if Messages is already there on your home screen, in an app folder, or even on one of the hidden app pages.

Find missing Messages icon on hidden home screen pages

The Messages app may not be visible if you have hidden its respective app page for a bare look in iOS 14.

To unhide the Messages app, follow the steps below.

Long-press an empty area on your home screen.
In Edit mode, tap the page dot button in the bottom center of the screen.
Look carefully for the hidden app page containing the Messages app.
Tick-mark the specific app page to unhide it.
Hit Done at the upper-right corner.

ALSO READ: How to rearrange home screen pages in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

Reset Home Screen Layout

This is probably the easiest way to restore the home screen layout and appearance on your iPhone.

NOTE: Avoid using this method as it rearranges all apps on the home screen and removes home screen widgets too.

To restore the default home screen layout in iOS 15 or later, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap on ‘Reset’ and select “Reset Home Screen Layout”. Tap on “Reset Home Screen” to confirm your selection.