[Top 5] iPhone Settings Icon Missing: How to Get Back?

Updated by Brian Davis on Jun 14, 2023 2:42 PM • Category: Fix iPhone Issues
6 mins read

how to fix iphone settings icon missing

The Settings app on iPhone allows us to control the rest of your device. From here, you can connect to Wi-Fi, and change your data and time. The Settings icon on an iPhone plays an important role in the iOS operating system software, and cannot be deleted under normal circumstances. While there are other third-party apps that you can delete, Settings is not one of them.

If the Settings icon your iPhone does not appear, or has been replaced with a blank or corrupted image, you may just accidentally delete the settings icon. A missing Settings app icon on iPhone doesn't mean you deleted the app. To know it better, this article will show you 5 useful tips to get rid of the iPhone settings icon missing issue.

Part 1: Why Did My Settings Icon Disappeared on My iPhone?

As mentioned above, the settings app cannot be deleted by yourself directly. You may just move the settings icon to a folder accidentally. This issue can also be caused by jailbreak failure, virus attack or other unknown system errors on your iPhone. No matter what the reason is, you don't need to worry too much about it. You can try these workable methods in the following to find the settings icon on your iPhone again.

Part 2: What You Need to Do Before Fixing iPhone Settings Icon Missing?

Before retrieving the missing settings icon on iPhone, it's suggested that you back up your data on the iPhone via iTunes first. Then, you'll not lose your data if unexpected things happen when you fix your iPhone. You can take the detailed steps below to back up your iPhone using iTunes.

Step 1: To start with, connect your iPhone to the computer, and run iTunes on your computer.
Step 2: Hit on the iPhone icon when it appears on the screen to go to another interface.
Step 3: Tap on the Summary option, and then choose Back Up Now. Your data on iPhone will be saved through iTunes.

backup iphone before fixing the disappearing settings icon

Part 3: How to Get Settings Icon Back on iPhone?

Method 1: Fix Settings Icon on iPhone Missing via TunesKit iOS System Recovery

If you want to find the best solution that is truly workable to fix settings icon missing on iPhone, check out TunesKit iOS System Recovery, a repairing tool that fixes 150+ iOS system issues, based on your requirements, whose functionality will blow you away. From settings icon on iPhone missing, iPhone Settings forzen, to iPhone stuck on recovery mode, iPhone won't update, and more, it can handle any iOS issues. It is perfect for those iOS users who want to fix the iPhone/iPad/iPad issue remaining all of the important data. Simply download it for free to have a trial use.

tuneskit ios system recovery

Key Functions of TunesKit iOS System Recovery

  • Fix settings icon missing on iPhone efficiently
  • Repair different tvOS/iOS issues quickly and safely
  • Available on the latest iOS version including 16
  • Fix your iOS devices without data loss
  • Provide Standard Mode and Advanced Mode
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Follow these steps so you can use this program quickly and correctly.

Step 1Connect Your iPhone to Computer

There is one thing you should notice about this tool: it is not an iOS app. It is rather a desktop application that needs to be installed on a computer. After installing it on your computer, use a matched USB cable to get your iPhone connected to it.

connect iphone to a computer

Step 2Choose a Repair Mode to Fix Missing Settings Icon

Once your iPhone has been detected, you just need to click on the Start option from the interface. Then click on Standard Mode to save the missing settings icon on iPhone if you don't want to delete your data.

select standard mode

Step 3Download iOS Firmware

On this page, you'll see all of your iPhone's details. Should the device information be incorrect, please choose the right one manually, and then click on the Download button download the correct firmware.

download correct firmware package

Step 4Start to Fix

You'll see an option to Repair after a successful download. Click on that and your iPhone Settings icon will be back in no time. Your iPhone will restart normally at the end of the process and you'll see this Repair Completed screen.

start to fix the issue on your iphone

Method 2: Find Settings via Search Bar

If you find the icon is missing on your iPhone, you can first browse through all the Home screen and see if it is moved to other place. Apps can be moved into another folder when they are held onto the home screen. So, the Settings app may have gotten lost in one of your many folders.

How to get settings icon back on iPhone:
Step 1. On the iPhone home screen, swipe left and the Search bar will appear.
Step 2. Tap on it and search for Settings. Look for a folder name on the right side of the Settings results page when you search for Settings. There is a name on the right that indicates the location of the Settings icon. Just back to the Home screen to check if still the settings icon disappearing on iPhone.

search for settings on search bar

Method 3: Reset Home Screen Layout

If you already successfully find the Settings app through the Search feature but can't see it on the home screen, launch Settings → General → to Transfer or Reset iPhone. Then, click on Reset followed by Reset Home Screen Layout. After that, the layout of your iPhone will take it back to its original state, and the problem will be solved.

reset home screen layout on iphone

Method 4: Force Restart iPhone

Should you have been unable to find the Settings app after searching for it in Spotlight, there might be a bug on your device that prevents the Settings app from showing up. Try to force restart your device, the software will refresh and analyze for any problems. This is an easier way to troubleshoot your software, and fix settings icon disappeared.

On iPhone 6S and earlier,
Press Sleep/Wake button & Home button until the Apple logo shows up on the screen.

On iPhone 7/ 7 Plus,
Simply long-press the Sleep/Wake key and Volume Down key.
Wait for the Apple logo to appear.

On iPhone 8/ 8 Plus, iPhone X, or later,
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, followed by the Down button. Hold the Power button until the Apple logo shows up.

 force restart iphone

Method 5:Restore iPhone via iTunes or Finder

If the Settings icon still won't come back, you always have the option to restore your phone. Please note that using iTunes to restore will remove all data from your iPhone. After backing up your iPhone, try to restore iPhone to fix iPhone settings icon missing issue as described in the following steps.

Step 1. First, connect your iPhone to a computer by a USB cable.
Step 2. Next, run the iTunes or Finder app on your computer.
Step 3. Click the iPhone icon, and go Summary on iTunes or General on Finder.
Step 4. Once you have clicked the Restore iPhone button, your system software will be reinstalled, and your iPhone will automatically resynchronize when the process is complete.

restore iphone via itunes or finder

Part 4: Conclusion

Using the methods described above, you should be able to resolve the iPhone settings icon missing issue and get your iPhone on the latest iOS version. If you have any such iOS problems in the future, or if you need to fix them much quicker, make sure to have TunesKit iOS System Recovery at your hands.

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