# How Smartphones Organize Apps into Folders

> Apple's 2010 patent describing the logic for creating and interacting with app folders on a touchscreen device, specifically distinguishing between 'normal' use and 'editing' modes.

- **Patent:** US 8423911
- **Original title:** Device, method, and graphical user interface for managing folders
- **Owner:** Apple Inc
- **Granted:** 2013
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 48
- **Field:** consumer_electronics, software

## What it does

This patent defines the software logic for how a smartphone manages app icons and folders. It establishes two distinct states: a 'normal' mode where tapping an icon launches the app, and a 'reconfiguration' mode where tapping allows you to move or organize icons without opening them. The patent specifically covers the mechanism for opening a folder to see its contents regardless of which mode the device is in, while ensuring that the folder-opening action does not accidentally trigger app deletion or reconfiguration commands.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover the underlying hardware of the touchscreen itself.
- Does not cover folder creation methods that do not involve dragging icons to a specific location.
- Does not cover automatic folder organization based on app categories or metadata.
- Does not cover non-touchscreen interfaces or desktop-based folder management.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in the context-aware input handling: the device interprets the same tap gesture differently depending on whether the system is in 'normal' or 'reconfiguration' mode, preventing accidental app launches during reorganization.

## Real-world examples

1. iOS Home Screen app folder management
2. iPadOS app organization
3. Standard smartphone app drawer interfaces

## Why it matters

This patent was central to the user experience of the iPhone and iPad, defining how users manage their home screens. It helped standardize the 'jiggle mode' interaction where icons become editable, a pattern now ubiquitous across iOS and Android devices.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Smartphones Organize Apps into Folders cover?

Apple's 2010 patent describing the logic for creating and interacting with app folders on a touchscreen device, specifically distinguishing between 'normal' use and 'editing' modes.

### Who owns patent US 8423911?

Apple Inc owns this patent, granted in 2013.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on April 16, 2033, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 8423911 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 48 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent was central to the user experience of the iPhone and iPad, defining how users manage their home screens. It helped standardize the 'jiggle mode' interaction where icons become editable, a pattern now ubiquitous across iOS and Android devices.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover the underlying hardware of the touchscreen itself.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8423911/ios-control-center

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8423911

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._