How to Prevent the Rearrangement of Icons on an iPhone
By Brandon Getty
Your iPhone makes rearranging the various application icons simple. Pressing and holding an icon for several seconds unlocks all of the items on your home screen, allowing you to rearrange or delete them as desired. However, after several accidental unlocks or deletions, you might wish rearrangement wasn't so simple. After jailbreaking your iPhone, you can choose between several apps which allow you to lock your icons in place. Though the jailbreaking your iPhone is legal, be aware that it voids your device's warranty.
Jailbreaking Your iPhone and Installing Cydia
Step 1
Download Absinthe, a jailbreaking app, by visiting the link in the Resources section. There are free downloads available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Other apps, such as Unlock Easy and iJailBreakTool, can be found in the Resources section and work similarly.
Step 2
Extract the app to your Desktop once the download completes. On Mac OS X, this will happen automatically. Quit iTunes if it is currently open.
Step 3
Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and open the Absinthe app. Click the "Jailbreak" button.
Step 4
Allow your iPhone to reboot without touching it. You will receive a notification from Absinthe once the jailbreak is complete. Disconnect your phone from your computer.
Step 5
Locate the "Cydia" icon on your home screen. Cydia, which appears once the phone has been successfully jailbroken, allows you to search for and download a wide range of apps unavailable through iTunes.
Using SpringLocker
Step 1
Open Cydia and search for the "SpringLocker" app. Download and install the app to your iPhone by following the prompts.
Step 2
Return to your home screen and tap the "Settings" icon. Scroll down until you find the "SpringLocker" option. Tap it to open the app.
Step 3
Set the "Lock Icons" option to "On." As long as this option is enabled, your icons cannot be rearranged or deleted.
Using Lockdown Pro
Step 1
Open Cydia and search for the "Lockdown Pro" app. Download and install the app to your iPhone by following the prompts.
Step 2
Tap the "Settings" icon and scroll down to the "Lockdown Pro" option. Tap it to open the app.
Step 3
Enable the "Lock Icon Placement" option to prevent rearrangement or deletion of your icons. Press the "Home" button to return to your home screen.
Using IconLock
Step 1
Open Cydia and search for the "IconLock" app. Download and install the app to your iPhone by following the prompts.
Step 2
Tap the "Settings" icon and scroll down to the "IconLock" option. Tap it to open the app.
Step 3
Set the slide bar to the "On" position. To enable Password Protection, slide the bar to the "On" position and enter your desired password.
References
Tips
- SpringLocker and IconLock can be downloaded for free through Cydia, while Lockdown Pro requires a payment of $1.99.
Warnings
- Once you jailbreak your iPhone, the manufacturer's warranty is void. Keep this in mind before proceeding with your jailbreak.
Writer Bio
Brandon Getty began writing professionally in 2008, with columns appearing in "Thrasher" magazine. He received a Bachelor of Arts in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and lives in Stockton, Calif.