Phones have become such a big part of our lives that it’s easy to forget they’re just tools. Powerful tools, yes, but tools nonetheless. And like any tool, they work best when we take care of them. That’s why today, I want to show you how to organize your phone so it serves you instead of overwhelming you.
Still, you may wonder why it’s important to organize it, where to start, or how you’ll manage to sort through the huge number of pictures and videos. I’ll help you with all of that, then I’ll share my tips to make your hard work last.
Why organize your phone?
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably downloaded an app “just to try it” and forgotten about it the next day. Or taken 12 pictures of your cat (or your dog, we don’t judge here!) in the same position because, clearly, each one has a slightly different tail curl. It adds up. Suddenly, your phone feels sluggish, your storage is full, and finding what you actually need turns into a treasure hunt.
Decluttering your phone isn’t just a nice-to-have. It makes your device easier to use, faster to respond, and less frustrating overall. When everything has its place (or is deleted), you stop wasting time scrolling through clutter to find the one thing you need.
It also frees up space, so you don’t face the dreaded “Storage Full” message at the worst moment. And if your brain feels a little more spacious afterward, too? That’s not a coincidence.
Declutter your phone: start with the unused apps
If you don’t use an app, it doesn’t deserve to live rent-free on your phone. The good news is: both iPhones and Androids make it easy to identify the squatters.
On iPhones, head to Settings → General → iPhone Storage. There, you can sort your apps by last used date.
On newer Androids, go to Settings → Apps, then look for the “Unused apps” section. If your Android phone is older, go to the Play Store app, tap on your profile icon, then on Manage Apps & Devices. Here you can also sort your apps by their last-used date.
However you list your apps, you’ll likely find a few surprises. Maybe there’s a meditation app you tried during a New Year’s resolution burst, or a mobile game you haven’t opened since that one rainy weekend in 2024. Unless you’ve got a strong emotional attachment, it’s safe to uninstall them.
How to organize your phone: the apps
Once you’ve removed what you don’t use, it’s time to give the rest a proper place to live. Group similar apps together in folders, for example: one for productivity tools, another for social media, and maybe a safe zone for those apps you need but don’t exactly love (looking at you, banking app).
If you’re on Android and your current home screen setup doesn’t let you create folders, you can always install a third-party launcher like Nova. It gives you a lot more flexibility to customize your layout and keep things tidy. Personally, I use the Niagara launcher. It’s another great choice. The free version doesn’t contain the folders, but it still allows you to find your apps more quickly.
You can also make use of widgets, especially for info you check often, like your calendar, to-do list, or weather. Just don’t add a widget for everything. A few widgets are helpful, but too many can make your screen feel cluttered and difficult to use.
Prefer to keep it even simpler? Just move your most-used apps to the main screen for quick access. No need to swipe through five pages every time you want to open your camera or notes app.
Sort through your photos and videos to declutter your phone
Let’s be honest. Most of us have more photos of our pets, coffee mugs, and accidental screenshots than we know what to do with. And when you’re scrolling through 47 nearly identical sunset shots, it’s no wonder your photo gallery feels overwhelming. But organizing it is still doable!
My 1st tip? Start small. You don’t need to clear out your entire camera roll in one go. The next time you’re waiting in line or for your tea to steep, open your gallery and delete five pictures. Pick the best one from a batch of lookalikes, and let the others go. No need to ponder which one to keep too long. Chances are, they’re so similar you wouldn’t see a difference. You’ll appreciate the memories more when you’re not digging through a sea of duplicates to find them.
And yes, I also have a hundred pictures of my cat sleeping. I’ve started letting a few go, like those blurry ones where she looks like a hazy shape with ears. It’s still a work in progress, but I see the result!
Keep your phone organized
Here’s the trick: once your phone is tidy, don’t wait until it’s a disaster zone to declutter it again.
Set a reminder to do a quick clean-up once a month or every three months. It will stay manageable that way. Just like cleaning your kitchen counter: if you do it often, it never becomes a monster task.
And please, back up your files. You can use cloud storage or transfer them to your computer. One spilled cup of tea or a dropped phone shouldn’t wipe out years of memories or important documents.
How to organize your phone and keep it that way
Organizing your phone doesn’t have to be a massive project. Just start with the apps you don’t use and organize the others. Then give your photos and videos some attention. And most importantly, make it a habit. Your phone will thank you (probably by running faster), and your brain might thank you, too.
One last thing: if you’re in the mood to organize something else you love but feel guilty about decluttering, like your books, I’ve got you covered. I’ll show you a gentle way to declutter your shelves without breaking your heart.
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