Customizing your iPad's desktop or home screen allows you to move icons where you want them so you can quickly and easily access your most used apps. To add icons to the desktop, you can move existing icons to the home screen, create one or more website shortcuts, or download new apps from Apple's App Store.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Moving Existing Icons to Home Screen
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 1 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 1](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-1-j.webp)
Step 1. Locate the icon or app you want to move to the iPad desktop
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 2 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 2](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-2-j.webp)
Step 2. Press and hold the icon until the icon starts to wiggle
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 3 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 3](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-3-j.webp)
Step 3. Drag the icon to the left or right of the home screen, then drop it on the desired location or place
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 4 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 4](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-4-j.webp)
Step 4. Remove the finger from the iPad screen
Moved icons are now successfully displayed on the iPad desktop.
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Website Shortcut
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 5 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 5](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-5-j.webp)
Step 1. Visit the website that you want to save to the iPad desktop
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 6 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 6](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-6-j.webp)
Step 2. Touch the plus sign icon on the left side of the address bar, then select “Add to Home Screen”
The icon for the site in question will now appear on the device's home screen.
On older versions of iOS, the “Actions” icon was displayed instead of the plus sign icon. This icon looks like an arrow over a square box
Method 3 of 3: Downloading New Apps
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 7 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 7](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-7-j.webp)
Step 1. Touch the App Store icon on the iPad
Apple's App Store will launch and display on the screen.
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 8 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 8](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-8-j.webp)
Step 2. Find the app or icon you want to appear on the desktop
For example, if you want to show the Facebook icon on the desktop, search for “Facebook.”
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 9 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 9](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-9-j.webp)
Step 3. Touch the app you want to download once it appears in the search results
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 10 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 10](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-10-j.webp)
Step 4. Touch the “Buy” or “Free” button, then follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the app to the iPad
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 11 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 11](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-11-j.webp)
Step 5. Wait for the app to finish installing
A new icon and installation progress bar will appear on the iPad desktop. After the installation is complete, the application is ready to use.
![Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 12 Put Icons on the Desktop of an iPad Step 12](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/002/image-5654-12-j.webp)