How to Jump to the Top of Any App: the Easiest Way

This super simple gesture will bring you back to the top of any app or page on the iPhone.

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By Sarah Kingsbury
April 30, 2024

Did you know that a simple iPhone gesture can save your thumb the workout of scrolling back to the top of most apps? Across all apps, pages, and platforms, this simple tip will automatically return you to the top of any screen. Whether you've been scrolling Instagram or Facebook, or you've been searching in the Settings app, just tap once at the top of the iPhone's screen to snap back to the beginning.

Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Don't waste time scrolling all the way back up to the top of an app.
  • You can use this tip on any app, platform, or page on your iPhone.

Related: Calendar Apps to Help You Schedule & Prioritize

How to Quickly Jump to the Top of an App

One of my guiltiest pastimes is spending way too much time scrolling through Wikipedia pages on the Safari app. Some of the articles, while extremely informative, are excessively long. This simple trick will shoot you right back to the top of any app. If you like cool tips about using your iPhone, sign up for our free Tip of the Day! Here's how to tap once to return to the top.

  1. Open any app, and simply tap the top of the iPhone screen at the time or battery indicator. Simply tap the top of the iPhone screen at the time or battery indicator. 
  2. It should return you back to the top immediately. Be sure when you’re doing this, you are tapping at the level of the time or battery indicator. If you tap just below, nothing will happen. It should return you back to the top immediately. Be sure when you’re doing this, you are tapping at the level of the time or battery indicator. If you tap just below, nothing will happen.

It's that simple! This works in nearly any app with screens you can scroll down on, whether you've scrolled through endless emails, a playlist in music, etc. Now go give that poor thumb a massage.

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written by

Sarah Kingsbury

As the Editorial Director at iPhone Life, Sarah Kingsbury manages the online editorial team and oversees all website content. She is a long-time Apple enthusiast who never goes anywhere without her Apple Watch and owns way too many HomePods. Since joining iPhone Life in 2013, Sarah has done everything from writing hundreds of how-to articles to founding the Daily Tip newsletter. She even co-hosted the early episodes of the iPhone Life Podcast. When not at work, Sarah can be found hiking in the mountains and canyons around Las Vegas, where she lives with her partner and dogs.

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