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Sharing a photo to the same app ten times a day gets old fast. Learning how to add an app to favorites on iPhone puts your most-used apps at the front of the Share Sheet, cutting out unnecessary scrolling.
Apple tucked this feature into iOS 14 and kept it through later versions. Most users never find it.
This guide walks you through customizing your Share Sheet in under two minutes. You will learn how to access the favorites editor, add apps, reorder them, and troubleshoot common issues.
Works on any iPhone running iOS 14 or later.
How to Add an App to Favorites on iPhone: Quick Workflow
This pins your most-used apps to the top of your Share Sheet so they show up first when sharing photos, links, or files. Takes about a minute. You need iOS 14 or later.
- Open any app (Photos, Safari, Files) and tap the Share icon (square with an upward arrow)
- Look at the horizontal row of app icons near the top of the Share Sheet
- Swipe left on that row until you see the “More” button (three dots) at the end, then tap it
- Tap “Edit” in the top-right corner of the screen
- Scroll through the Suggestions list below the Favorites section
- Tap the green plus icon next to any app you want to add. It moves to your Favorites instantly
- To reorder, press and hold the three horizontal lines on the right side of a favorited app, then drag it up or down
- Tap “Done” when finished
Quick note: if an app doesn’t show up in the list, it probably doesn’t support iOS sharing. Check that the app has the right permissions enabled in Settings > Privacy & Security.
Prerequisites
- Device: iPhone 6s or newer
- iOS version: iOS 14 or later (check Settings > General > About)
- Time needed: 1-2 minutes
- Skill level: Beginner; basic touchscreen gestures required
Make sure your iPhone runs iOS 14 at minimum since the Share Sheet customization feature was redesigned in that update.
If you need to check your app usage on iPhone, head to Screen Time in Settings.
Step One: How Do You Access the Share Sheet on iPhone?
Open any app that supports sharing (Photos, Safari, Files), select content you want to share, then tap the Share icon (square with upward arrow) to reveal the iOS share menu with app suggestions and action options.
Action
- Photos app: Open a photo, tap the Share icon in bottom-left corner
- Safari: Load any webpage, tap Share icon in bottom toolbar
- Expected result: Share Sheet slides up from bottom of screen
Purpose
The Share Sheet displays your available sharing options. You cannot edit favorites without first opening this menu.
Step Two: Where Do You Find the App Row in the Share Menu?
Look at the horizontal row of app icons near the top of the Share Sheet; swipe left to reveal more apps, then locate and tap the “More” button (three dots) at the end of the row to access editing options.
Action
- Swipe gesture: Swipe left across the app icon row
- More button: Tap the circular icon with three horizontal dots
- Expected result: Apps menu opens showing all available sharing apps
Purpose
The More button reveals apps not visible in the default view and provides access to the Edit function.
If certain apps seem missing, you might need to find hidden apps on your iPhone first.
Step Three: How Do You Enter Edit Mode for Share Sheet Apps?
Inside the Apps menu, tap the Edit button in the top-right corner of the screen; this activates edit mode where green plus icons and red minus icons appear next to each app name for adding or removing favorites.
Action
- Edit button location: Top-right corner of Apps screen
- Tap Edit: Screen transitions to show Favorites section at top
- Expected result: Green plus icons appear next to non-favorited apps
Purpose
Edit mode separates your favorites list from suggestions, letting you control exactly which apps appear first when sharing.
While organizing, you might also want to learn how to organize apps on your iPhone home screen for a cleaner setup.
Step Four: How Do You Select Apps for the Favorites Section?
Scroll through the Suggestions list below the Favorites section, find the app you want to add, then tap the green plus icon next to its name; the app instantly moves to your Favorites list at the top of the screen.
Action
- Green plus icon: Located left of each app name in Suggestions
- Tap to add: App moves from Suggestions to Favorites section
- Expected result: App appears in Favorites with red minus icon
Purpose
Apps in Favorites appear first in your Share Sheet, giving you quick access without scrolling.
Step Five: How Do You Reorder Apps in Your Favorites List?
Press and hold the three horizontal lines icon on the right side of any favorited app, then drag up or down to change its position in the list; release your finger when the app reaches your desired spot.
Action
- Drag handle: Three horizontal lines on right side of app row
- Drag gesture: Hold and move up or down
- Expected result: App order updates in real-time
Purpose
Position your most-used apps at the top for faster sharing. Messages and Mail typically work well in the first two slots.
Step Six: How Do You Save Changes to Your Favorites?
Tap the Done button in the top-right corner of the Edit screen; your favorites list saves automatically and you return to the Apps menu, then tap Done again to return to the Share Sheet.
Action
- First Done button: Top-right of Edit screen; saves favorites
- Second Done button: Top-right of Apps menu; closes menu
- Expected result: Share Sheet shows your new app arrangement
Purpose
Tapping Done commits your changes. Swiping down without tapping Done may discard edits on some iOS versions.
Verification
Open Photos or Safari on your iPhone.
Tap the Share icon on any content.
Check the app row at the top of the Share Sheet. Your favorited apps should appear first, in the order you set.
If the apps display correctly, the process worked. If not, repeat Steps 3-6.
Troubleshooting
Issue: App Not Appearing in the Available Apps List
Solution: The app may not support iOS sharing. Go to Settings > [App Name] > check if sharing permissions are enabled.
Some apps need to be opened once after installation before they appear in the Share Sheet. Try launching the app, then check again.
You can also close apps on iPhone and reopen them to refresh permissions.
Issue: Favorites Section Not Showing Selected Apps
Solution: Re-enter Edit mode and verify the green plus icon was tapped. Apps with a red minus icon are already in Favorites.
If apps keep disappearing, clear your app cache on iPhone to reset potential glitches.
Issue: Changes Not Saving After Tapping Done
Solution: Force-close the app you were sharing from by swiping up from the bottom and flicking the app card away.
Reopen the app and try editing favorites again. If issues persist, restart your iPhone.
Learn how to see apps running in the background to identify potential conflicts.
Alternative Method: Adding Apps to iPhone Dock
The dock keeps up to four apps visible on every home screen page. Different from Share Sheet favorites but useful for quick app launching.
Share Sheet Method (Current Guide)
- Time: 1-2 minutes
- Complexity: Beginner
- Best for: Faster sharing to specific apps
Dock Method (Alternative)
- Time: 30 seconds
- Complexity: Beginner
- Best for: Apps you open frequently throughout the day
Choose Share Sheet favorites when you share content often. Choose the dock when you need quick app launching from any home screen.
For full home screen customization, check how to move apps from one screen to another on iPhone.
Next Steps
Now that your favorites list is set, consider these related tasks:
- Delete apps on iPhone you no longer need
- Change app icons on iPhone for a custom look
- Combine apps on iPhone into folders
- See all apps on iPhone using the App Library
If you share content to the same contacts often, add them to your Phone app Favorites too. This works separately from the Share Sheet but speeds up calls and messages.
FAQ on How To Add An App To Favorites On iPhone
What Does Adding an App to Favorites on iPhone Do?
Adding an app to favorites pins it to the front of your Share Sheet. When you tap the Share icon in Photos, Safari, or Files, your favorited apps appear first. Saves time when sharing content repeatedly.
Which iOS Version Supports Share Sheet Favorites?
Apple introduced Share Sheet customization in iOS 14. Any iPhone running iOS 14 or later supports this feature. Check your version in Settings > General > About under Software Version.
Can I Add Any App to My Favorites List?
Only apps that support iOS sharing appear in the Share Sheet. Some apps need specific permissions enabled. If an app is missing, try giving apps access to photos on iPhone through Settings.
How Many Apps Can I Add to Share Sheet Favorites?
iOS does not impose a strict limit on Share Sheet favorites. However, adding too many defeats the purpose. Stick to 4-6 apps you actually use for sharing content regularly.
Why Did My Favorite Apps Disappear From the Share Sheet?
iOS updates sometimes reset Share Sheet preferences. Deleted or disabled apps also vanish from favorites. Re-add them through the Edit menu after reinstalling or re-enabling.
Is Share Sheet Favorites the Same as iPhone Dock?
No. The dock holds apps on your home screen for quick launching. Share Sheet favorites control which apps appear first when sharing content. Both help with quick access but serve different purposes.
Can I Reorder My Favorite Apps in the Share Sheet?
Yes. Enter Edit mode, then drag apps using the three horizontal lines icon. Position your most-used apps at the top. Changes save when you tap Done.
Do Share Sheet Favorites Sync Across My Apple Devices?
Share Sheet favorites do not sync via iCloud. Each iPhone or iPad maintains its own favorites list. You need to configure favorites separately on each device you own.
How Do I Remove an App From Share Sheet Favorites?
Open any Share Sheet, swipe left on apps, tap More > Edit. Tap the red minus icon next to the app you want to remove. Tap Done to save. The app moves back to Suggestions.
Can I Add Contacts to Favorites Separately From Apps?
Yes. The Phone app has its own Favorites section for contacts. Open Phone > Favorites > tap the plus icon. This differs from Share Sheet favorites. You can also share an app on iPhone directly with specific contacts.
Conclusion
Knowing how to add an app to favorites on iPhone transforms how you share content. No more scrolling through dozens of apps every time you tap that Share icon.
The whole process takes under two minutes. Access the share menu, tap More, hit Edit, and add your frequently used apps with the green plus icon.
Reorder them however you want. Your most-used apps stay at the front.
This small tweak to your iOS share menu saves seconds each time you share. Those seconds add up fast.
Pair this with dock customization and home screen organization for a fully optimized iPhone. Quick access to your favorite apps makes everything smoother.
Now go set up your favorites list.
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