Many smartphone users develop muscle memory for app locations on their home screens, but this memory gets disrupted when deleting apps causes remaining apps to shift positions. This leads to frequent tapping errors and frustration, particularly for those who rely on consistent app placement for efficient use.

The Core Solution

One approach could be modifying mobile operating systems to include an optional "position lock" feature. When enabled, deleting an app would leave an empty space rather than shifting other apps to fill the gap. Users could then manually rearrange apps or fill the empty slots as desired. For visual clarity, empty spaces might show subtle placeholders or outlines.

• Maintains spatial consistency for frequently used apps
• Preserves established muscle memory patterns
• Still allows full customization when needed

Implementation Pathways

As a first step, this could be developed as a feature in third-party Android launchers, since they allow deeper customization than iOS. If user adoption proves the concept valuable, mobile OS developers might consider native implementation. The feature could be introduced alongside existing organizational tools, giving users the choice between automatic rearrangement and position locking.

Potential Benefits and Considerations

This approach would particularly help users who:

• Have highly organized home screens
• Frequently use their devices without looking
• Experience motor control challenges

Key considerations include ensuring empty spaces don't confuse users about which apps are installed, and maintaining compatibility with existing organizational features like folders or auto-grouping.

While this addresses a specific pain point in mobile interaction, its success would depend on balancing spatial consistency with visual organization preferences.