Looking to give your iPhone a fresh look? Customizing app icons on your iPhone can make your device stand out and feel uniquely yours. Here’s the good news: changing app icons on an iPhone is straightforward with the right approach.
Whether you’re aiming for a cohesive design with custom icon packs, exploring the latest iOS customization features, or diving into the Shortcuts app, this guide is your go-to resource.
By reading this article, you’ll master the art of replacing default icons with images of your choice. We’ll cover everything you need, from downloadable icon packs to configuring your iPhone’s home screen settings.
You’ll learn how to navigate the Shortcuts app, use third-party tools like Widgetsmith and Icon Themer, and leverage iPhone settings to create a home screen that reflects your personal style. Ready to transform your iPhone? Dive in and discover how to change app icons on your iPhone with ease.
How to Change App Icons on iPhone: Quick Workflow
- Open the Shortcuts App: This app is pre-installed on your iPhone.
- Create a New Shortcut:
- Tap the + icon in the top-right corner to create a new shortcut.
- Select Add Action.
- Select Open App:
- In the search bar, type Open App and select it from the list.
- Tap on App and choose the app you want to customize.
- Add to Home Screen:
- Tap the downward-facing arrow next to “Open App” at the top.
- Select Add to Home Screen.
- Choose Your New Icon:
- Tap the placeholder icon next to “Home Screen Name and Icon.”
- You can select Take Photo, Choose Photo, or Choose File to upload your new icon image.
- After selecting your image, you can rename the shortcut if desired.
- Finalize Your Shortcut:
- Tap Add in the top-right corner.
- Your new shortcut will now appear on your home screen.
- Remove Original App Icon (Optional):
- If you want to remove the original app icon from your home screen, long-press it, tap Remove App, and then select Remove from Home Screen. The app will still be available in your App Library.
Tips for Custom Icons
- You can find custom icons online by searching for aesthetic icons related to your apps, or you can create your own using graphic design tools.
- Remember that this method creates a shortcut that opens the original app; hence, both icons will exist unless you remove the original.
Changing App Icons
Accessing the Shortcuts App
To start, you’ll need to access the Shortcuts app. Open it by swiping down on your iPhone‘s home screen to bring up the search bar. Type “Shortcuts” and tap the icon that appears. The app is pre-installed on iOS devices, so no need to download it from the App Store.
Once inside, you’ll notice a basic interface. On the home screen, there’s a library of your existing shortcuts, if any. Along the bottom is the navigation menu—Automations, Gallery, and Shortcuts. The Shortcuts tab is where you’ll manage everything related to creating custom app icons. You don’t need to worry about anything outside of this tab for now.
Creating a Custom App Icon
Adding a new shortcut
Tap the plus icon (+) in the top-right corner to add a new shortcut. This will bring up a blank canvas where you’ll build your new app icon. Tap Add Action, then in the search bar, type “Open App.” Select the Open App action when it appears. This action is the key to linking an app to your new custom icon.
Linking a specific app to the shortcut
Next, tap the App button that appears within the Open App action. From there, you’ll be able to choose the app you want to open with your custom icon. Whether it’s Instagram, Spotify, or any other app on your iPhone, select the app, and it will be linked to your shortcut.
Renaming the shortcut for clarity
Now that you’ve linked the app, tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the shortcut details. Here, you can rename the shortcut to match the app you’re customizing. For instance, if you’re changing the Spotify icon, simply rename the shortcut “Spotify” for easy recognition.
Applying Custom Images to Icons
Searching for and downloading custom icon images
You’ll need a custom image to give the shortcut a unique look. You can search for iPhone icon packs or custom app icon images on the web. Sites like Pinterest or specialized icon websites offer plenty of downloadable options, including aesthetic home screen icons. Once you’ve found the perfect one, save it to your camera roll.
Steps to assign an image to an app via Shortcuts
After downloading your image, return to the shortcut details screen. Tap Add to Home Screen. Here, you’ll see a preview of what the icon will look like on your home screen. Tap the icon next to the shortcut name, then select Choose Photo. Navigate to your saved icon and select it. Adjust the image to fit if needed.
Finalizing and placing the icon on the home screen
With the image selected, tap Add, and the custom icon will be placed on your home screen. You can now move it around or add it to specific app folders, just like any other app icon. The original app is still installed, but your custom shortcut will now function as the new entry point for the app.
Removing Original App Icons from the Home Screen
Long-pressing and hiding the default icon
To prevent clutter, you’ll want to remove the original app icon from the home screen. Long-press the original icon until the menu appears. Tap Remove App, but instead of deleting it, choose Move to App Library. This hides the app from the home screen while keeping it installed.
Accessing hidden apps via the App Library
Your original app is now stored in the App Library, accessible by swiping to the far-right page of your home screen. This ensures your app remains functional but no longer takes up valuable home screen space.
Customizing Widgets
Using Third-Party Apps like Widgetsmith
Widgetsmith is a popular tool to tweak your home screen’s layout beyond what iOS gives you. To start, you’ll need to download Widgetsmith from the App Store. It’s free, but there are optional in-app purchases if you’re into extra customization.
Once installed, open the app, and you’ll see a pretty straightforward interface. Three sizes to choose from—small, medium, or large. Tap on the size you want, and that’ll take you to the customization page. It’s the same process for any size, so pick one and let’s move forward.
Personalizing Widget Appearance
Now comes the fun part. Widgetsmith allows you to customize the fonts and colors for each widget. You can choose everything from classic serif fonts to more minimalistic styles. Adjust the font color to match your iPhone home screen design or your preferred aesthetic themes.
There’s more. You can add dynamic elements like time, weather, and calendar data into your widgets. Tap on the element, and it will pull real-time data directly from your iPhone. If you’re customizing a widget for the weather, Widgetsmith will give you daily or hourly updates that blend into the widget design.
Adding Widgets to the Home Screen
After tweaking your widget, exit Widgetsmith and return to your home screen. Long-press anywhere until the icons and widgets start jiggling—this is edit mode. Tap the plus (+) in the top-left corner, search for Widgetsmith, and select it.
Now, choose the size that you just created—small, medium, or large—and the custom widget will appear. Move it wherever you want on the screen. You can also resize widgets or rearrange them alongside app icons to create an aesthetic layout that fits your theme.
Organizing and Arranging the Home Screen
Structuring App Layout for Visual Balance
When you’re arranging apps around widgets, think about balance first. Widgets take up more space than app icons, so place them where they make sense visually, like at the top or in the middle of your home screen. You want to create a structure where your essential apps are easily accessible—don’t bury them under aesthetic choices. Keep daily-use apps near your thumb zone for quick access, especially if you’re one of those people who checks Spotify every 10 minutes.
The placement of app icons should complement the widget, not crowd it. Keep breathing room between elements so nothing feels cramped.
Creating Thematic Layouts
If you’re all about that aesthetic home screen look, organizing apps based on functionality or theme is key. You could group all your productivity apps—Calendar, Notes, Reminders—together in one spot, creating a flow that’s both functional and visually cohesive.
Align the app colors and icon designs to keep the screen looking clean. If you’re going for a minimalistic vibe, choose icons that match your overall color scheme—don’t just slap any random color or icon on the screen. It should all come together as a cohesive design. If your theme is dark mode, for example, pick custom icons that match that darker, sleeker look.
Adjusting Grid Settings for Aesthetic Purposes
The default iOS grid is limiting. You’ve got rows of icons that follow a pretty rigid format, but you can still play around with how you maximize space. For one, placing icons in a custom layout gives you the option to leave empty spaces, making the home screen feel less cluttered. That way, your key apps and widgets get more attention.
Managing the grid restrictions in iOS isn’t too flexible—you can’t fully break out of the grid. But, if you want to mix things up, shift some icons around, leaving intentional gaps between apps and widgets for a more open, aesthetic look. This gives your custom layouts room to breathe, enhancing both functionality and style.
Color Customization and Dark Mode
Changing the Color of App Icons
With iOS 18, color-tinting features for app icons are built right in. First, head to your iPhone settings. In the display section, there’s an option for customizing app icons. Tap into it, and you’ll see a range of color sliders for tinting the icons. This is where you can really dial in the visual harmony across your home screen.
Adjusting colors is simple. You’ve got red, green, and blue sliders. Move them around until the color of your icons matches the overall vibe of your phone. Subtle shifts can create a cohesive look, whether you’re matching the icons to your wallpaper or a specific theme you’ve got going. Balance is key here—make sure the colors aren’t clashing with your widgets or dark mode settings.
Applying Dark Mode to Icons and Widgets
To enable dark mode for first-party apps, it’s as easy as switching to dark mode in your iPhone settings. Once you toggle it, many default apps like Calendar and Messages automatically adjust to match the dark mode aesthetic. The switch creates a sleek, low-light interface that’s easy on the eyes, especially at night.
But what about third-party apps? Some don’t support dark mode natively, so you’re stuck with whatever color scheme they use. Keep in mind, dark mode reduces battery consumption on OLED screens, especially when a large portion of your screen is black. The less light those pixels are using, the better for your battery.
Darkening the Background Without Changing Icons
If you want to adjust the wallpaper color without messing with the icon design, it’s all about managing the background settings. Open the Photos app or use a solid dark image that complements your icons. Head into Settings > Wallpaper, select your image, and apply it.
By darkening the background, you enhance the contrast between the icons and widgets, making everything pop visually. The icons remain unaffected, but the overall iPhone home screen design takes on a more refined look. Contrast is everything when you’re trying to balance form and function.
Simplifying the Home Screen Layout
Removing App Labels for a Cleaner Look
If you’re going for a minimalist iPhone home screen design, start by removing app labels. In iOS 18, this is straightforward. First, go to Settings, find the Home Screen & Dock section, and there’s an option for “Show App Labels.” Toggle it off, and voilà, the app names disappear, leaving just the icons.
What does this do for your layout? It cleans things up instantly. No clutter, no unnecessary text. The focus shifts entirely to the custom app icons or whatever icon packs you’ve chosen. The lack of labels gives the home screen a sleeker, more aesthetic look—perfect for those who already know where everything is. The minimalist vibe really comes through when the visual elements aren’t competing with labels.
Enlarging App Icons
Bigger icons are all about readability. If you need larger icons for better clarity, especially on bigger screens like the iPhone Pro Max, iOS 18 gives you the option. Head to Settings > Display & Brightness > Icon Size, and from there, you can toggle on the larger icons.
The moment you enable larger icons, the overall layout shifts. You’re working with fewer icons per row, and the spacing between them increases. It’s a trade-off: more readability, but less real estate. For those focusing on functionality over sheer volume of apps on the screen, it’s a solid move. Plus, combined with dark mode, the larger icons pop even more against darker backgrounds. You lose a bit of space, but the trade-off is clarity.
Combining Widgets, Icons, and Layouts for a Unified Design
Creating a Harmonious Home Screen Aesthetic
Blending widget designs with custom app icons isn’t about just throwing things together. The trick is balance. If your widgets are full of color and dynamic data like weather or calendar updates, tone down the app icons. You don’t want your screen to feel like a rainbow threw up on it. On the other hand, if you’ve got minimalistic icons, the widgets can be a little more vibrant.
Consistency in color and theme is everything. If your theme is dark mode and your custom icons are sleek and monochrome, your widgets should follow suit. You don’t want clashing styles—everything should flow. Whether you’re going for an all-black aesthetic or a pastel vibe, the colors need to work together across the entire home screen.
Positioning Apps, Widgets, and Icons Strategically
Here’s where strategy comes in. Position your key apps and widgets in places that make sense for how you use your phone. Got a Widgetsmith clock widget? It should be at the top, not buried between random icons. If you check your Spotify or Calendar a hundred times a day, keep them within thumb reach. It’s about making the interface work for you, not against you.
Now, don’t forget the background. If you’ve got a killer wallpaper, arrange your icons and widgets in a way that doesn’t cover up the best parts. Use gaps or empty spaces to let the background shine through. This way, the visual elements feel intentional, not chaotic.
Final Touches for a Polished Look
Once everything is in place, step back. Look at the overall layout. Does anything feel off-balance? Move things around until it just clicks. Maybe that widget needs to shift up a row, or that app icon could slide into a better position. Tiny adjustments can make a big difference in the final feel of your home screen.
When it’s perfect, save your custom theme. Apps like Widgetsmith or Apple’s Shortcuts allow you to store or even share your layouts with others. This way, you can reapply them later or pass them on to friends who want to know how to change app icons on iPhone with your style.
FAQ On How To Change App Icons On iPhone
How can I change app icons on my iPhone using the Shortcuts app?
Using the Shortcuts app is simple. Open the app, create a new shortcut, and use the Open App action. Select the app you want to customize, tap on the three dots, and choose “Add to Home Screen”. Tap on the icon and choose your image. Done.
Are there third-party apps to help me customize app icons?
Yes, third-party apps like Widgetsmith and Icon Themer make icon customization easy. Download the app from the Apple App Store, choose your preferred icon pack, and follow the app’s instructions to apply new icons to your home screen.
Is it possible to revert back to the original app icons?
Absolutely. Just delete the custom shortcut from your home screen. Your iPhone will automatically revert to the original app icons. You can always go back into the Shortcuts app or third-party app to re-apply custom icons if you change your mind.
Do custom app icons work with all iOS versions?
Custom app icons are supported starting from iOS 14. Ensure your iPhone is updated to at least iOS 14 to access these features. Check for updates in your iPhone settings to make sure your device can handle custom icons and other iOS 14+ features.
Can I change the icons for built-in Apple apps?
Yes, built-in Apple apps can also be customized. Follow the same Shortcuts app method to create new icons for apps like Safari, Mail, and Messages. Just select the app from the list and customize it like any other third-party app.
Where can I find custom icon packs?
Custom icon packs are available in the Apple App Store or through specific websites. Search for terms like custom icon packs, iOS aesthetic, and icon themes. Download your preferred pack, and follow the included instructions to apply them to your iPhone.
Will changing app icons affect app performance?
Changing app icons only affects the appearance and not the functionality or performance of the apps. Your apps will function normally regardless of whether you use the original or custom icons.
How do I organize my home screen for a cohesive look?
To achieve a cohesive look, pair your custom icons with matching iOS widgets and wallpaper. Apps like Widgetsmith allow you to create widgets that complement your icon themes. Also, group related apps together to maintain an organized and visually appealing home screen layout.
Is changing app icons free?
Many apps offer free basic icon packs, but some advanced themes and icon packs may require in-app purchases. Google Keyword Planner, and reviews on the App Store can help you find high-quality free or paid options that suit your style.
Can I use my own photos as app icons?
Yes, you can use your own photos or images as app icons. When adding an app to the home screen via the Shortcuts app, simply tap on the icon and select ‘Choose Photo’ to pick an image from your gallery. This adds a personal touch to your iPhone.
Conclusion
Mastering how to change app icons on iPhone can give your device a customized flair that sets it apart. From using Apple’s Shortcuts app to explore third-party options like Widgetsmith and Icon Themer, the possibilities are plentiful. With iOS 14 or later, this customization has never been easier. You can select custom icon packs or even use your own photos for a personal touch.
Follow these steps to change your app icons seamlessly:
- Use the Shortcuts app to add apps to your home screen with custom images.
- Take advantage of third-party customization apps for more options.
- Ensure your iPhone is updated to iOS 14+ to access these features.
- Organize your home screen to maintain a cohesive look.
By following these guidelines, you’ll have a fully personalized iPhone experience, showcasing your unique style and preferences. Embrace the customization tools available and enjoy a visually engaging home screen tailored just for you.
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With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology.
A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.
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