The App Library Distraction
Apple introduced the App Library to iOS and iPadOS as an automatic filing system, sorting all your downloaded applications into tidy, algorithmically generated folders at the far right of your home screens. On the iPad, Apple took this a step further by permanently pinning an icon for the App Library on the far right edge of your persistent Dock. While this allows fast access to the library from within any open app, many users find the icon annoying. It takes up valuable real estate on the Dock that could be used for a favored application, and it visually breaks the symmetry of your chosen apps. If you prefer navigating your iPad manually, you can remove this icon entirely.
How to Remove the App Library from the Dock
You cannot simply tap and drag the App Library icon off the Dock like a normal application. You must disable it in the main system settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Scroll down the left-hand sidebar and tap on Home Screen & App Library (or “Home Screen & Multitasking” depending on your iPadOS version).
- Look for the section titled “Dock.”
- You will see a toggle switch labeled Show App Library in Dock.
- Tap the switch to turn it Off (the green background will disappear).
Verifying the Change
The setting takes effect immediately. Press your physical Home button or swipe up from the bottom of the screen to return to your main desktop. The right side of your Dock will now be noticeably cleaner, featuring only your recently used apps (if you have that setting enabled) or simply ending with your curated selection of pinned apps. Note that this does not disable the App Library itself; you can still access it at any time by swiping all the way to the right past your final home screen page.