Your iPhone home screen doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. iOS customization lets you break free from default app icons and create an aesthetic setup that matches your style.
Learning how to change the color of apps on iPhone transforms your device from generic to personal. No jailbreaking required.
This guide covers the Shortcuts app method, third-party customization tools, and troubleshooting common issues. You’ll learn step-by-step instructions for creating custom app icons, organizing by color schemes, and maintaining your personalized home screen layout.
Whether you want monochrome minimalism or vibrant pastel aesthetics, the process takes 2-3 minutes per icon once you get the hang of it.
How to Change the Color of Apps on iPhone: Quick Workflow
You only need the Shortcuts app (already on your iPhone if you’re running iOS 14 or later). The whole thing takes about 2 minutes per icon once you’ve done it a couple times.
Steps
- Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
- Tap the + icon (top right) to create a new shortcut
- Tap “Add Action”, then search for and select “Open App”
- Pick the app you want to customize from your installed apps list
- Tap the three dots (top right), then hit “Add to Home Screen”
- Tap the icon placeholder and choose a custom image from your Photos or Files (PNG works best, 180x180px is ideal)
- Name the shortcut. Keep it short, this becomes the label under your icon
- Tap “Add” and you’re done
A Few Things Worth Knowing
- The original app icon stays in your App Library. Hide it from the home screen for a cleaner look
- Custom icons won’t show notification badges. You’ll need to check the original app for those
- There’s a slight delay (about half a second) when launching because Shortcuts briefly opens first
- If you don’t want to make icons yourself, apps like Widgetsmith, Color Widgets, or Aesthetic Kit sell pre-made icon packs
Understanding iPhone App Icon Customization Options
iOS 14 introduced the ability to customize app icons through the Shortcuts app. Previous iOS versions didn’t support this native customization without jailbreaking.
iPhone models running iOS 14 or newer can change app icon colors. This includes iPhone 6s and later models, covering most devices still in use.
The customization works through a workaround, not a direct system feature. Apple doesn’t provide built-in color-changing tools for app icons in Settings.
Customized icons launch through Shortcuts, which briefly opens the Shortcuts app before redirecting to the target app. This takes about 0.5-1 second longer than tapping a standard icon.
Notification badges don’t appear on custom shortcut icons. You’ll need to check the original app in the App Library or use widget notifications instead.
What You Need Before Customizing App Colors
iOS version: iOS 14.0 or later (check in Settings > General > About).
Shortcuts app: Pre-installed on iOS 14+, but reinstall from App Store if deleted.
Custom icons: Created or downloaded as PNG or JPEG files. Optimal size is 180×180 pixels for crisp display on all iPhone screens.
Image editing app (optional): Canva, Photoshop Express, or similar tools help create matching icon sets. Free versions work fine for basic color changes.
Time commitment: 2-3 minutes per icon once you get the hang of it. Customizing a full home screen (20-30 apps) takes 45-60 minutes.
Storage space is minimal. Each custom icon is typically 10-50 KB, so even 100 custom icons use less than 5 MB.
Using iOS Shortcuts App for Custom Icons
The Shortcuts app is Apple’s native solution for icon customization. It’s free, doesn’t require external accounts, and integrates directly with iOS.
Setup time varies-first icon takes 3-4 minutes while you learn the process. Subsequent icons take 1-2 minutes each.
Custom icons remain permanent until manually deleted. They persist through iOS updates and device restarts.
The main limitation is the notification badge issue. Custom shortcut icons don’t display the red notification bubbles that show unread messages or updates.
Launch speed is slightly slower. The Shortcuts app briefly flashes on screen before opening your target app, which some users find annoying for frequently-used apps.
Battery impact is negligible. The extra processing time adds microseconds to each app launch, far too little to affect daily battery life.
Third-Party Customization Apps for iPhone
Widgetsmith offers icon customization alongside widget creation. Free version includes basic features; premium costs $4.99/month or $19.99/year.
Color Widgets specializes in themed icon packs. Hundreds of pre-made aesthetics (pastel, neon, minimalist, dark mode). Subscription runs $3.99/month.
Aesthetic Kit provides icon templates and color-matching tools. One-time purchase of $9.99 unlocks all features permanently.
These apps handle the technical work-no need to manually create shortcuts for each icon. Bulk application takes 10-15 minutes for a full home screen.
Quality varies between apps. Widgetsmith has the most polished interface, Color Widgets has the largest icon library, Aesthetic Kit offers the best value for one-time buyers.
Most apps require subscriptions for full access. Free tiers limit you to 3-5 custom icons, which works for testing but not complete home screen makeovers.
Creating Custom Icons with Image Editing Tools
Canva works entirely in your browser or through its iOS app. No software development skills required-templates let you change colors with a few taps.
Create a new design sized 1024×1024 pixels (Canva scales it down automatically). Use the shape tool to create your icon background, then adjust the color using the palette.
Photoshop Express offers more control for detailed designs. Free version includes all essential tools-color adjustment, layering, and export options.
PNG format works best because it supports transparency. JPEG files show a white background instead of blending with your wallpaper.
Save all icons to a dedicated Photos album named “Custom Icons” for easy access when creating shortcuts. This organization saves time when customizing multiple apps.
Pro tip: design all icons in one session with a consistent color scheme. Mismatched colors or styles make your home screen look messy instead of aesthetic.
Complete Guide to Changing App Colors Using Shortcuts
Open Shortcuts app from your home screen or App Library. Tap the plus (+) icon in the top right corner.
Tap “Add Action” and search for “Open App” in the search bar. Select it from the results.
Choose your target app from the list of installed apps. Instagram, Messages, Safari-any app works.
Tap the shortcut name at the top (default shows “Open App”). Rename it to match your app name or choose a custom label.
Tap “Add to Home Screen” (looks like a share icon with a plus). This step converts your shortcut into a home screen icon.
Tap the icon placeholder image. Select “Choose Photo” to pick an image from your Photos library, or “Choose File” for downloaded icon packs.
Adjust the icon preview by pinching to zoom or dragging to reposition. Center the design within the square frame.
Name the home screen shortcut. This text appears below the icon-keep it short (5-10 characters) for cleaner aesthetics.
Tap “Add” in the top right. Your custom icon appears on the next available home screen spot.
Repeat for each app you want to customize. The process becomes muscle memory after 3-4 icons.
Create a dedicated Photos album for all custom icons before starting. Saves time searching when you’re on icon 15 of 30.
Alternative Methods for App Color Customization
Widget-based customization uses apps like Widgetsmith to create tappable widgets that launch apps. These display on your home screen alongside regular app icons but take up more space (minimum 2×2 grid squares).
Icon packs from third-party sources streamline bulk customization. Download a complete themed set (20-50 icons) and apply them all in one session instead of creating individual icons.
Folder organization by color creates visual grouping without custom icons. Blue apps in one folder, green apps in another-works for users who want color coordination without the Shortcuts workaround.
Color Coordination Strategies for iPhone Home Screen
Monochrome themes use single-color variations. Black and white icons work for minimalist setups, gray scales create subtle sophistication.
Pastel aesthetics suit users who want soft, calming home screens. Lavender, mint, peach, and powder blue create cohesive looks popular on social media.
Dark mode optimization requires choosing icon colors that remain visible on dark wallpapers. Neon colors and whites work better than pastels for OLED displays at night.
Color-coding by app category improves usability. Social media in pink, productivity in blue, entertainment in purple, finance in green.
Accessibility considerations matter. Users with color blindness benefit from high-contrast icon designs-pair dark icons with light backgrounds or vice versa.
Troubleshooting Custom App Icon Issues
Notification badges don’t appear on custom shortcut icons. The original app in App Library still shows badges, or add widget notifications to your home screen.
Icons reverting to original happens when the linked photo gets deleted from your Photos library. Keep all custom icons in a locked album that won’t sync to iCloud Photo optimization.
Shortcuts opening briefly before the target app is normal iOS behavior. The flash lasts 0.5-1 seconds-no way to eliminate it without jailbreaking.
Delete custom icons by long-pressing and selecting “Delete Shortcut.” This removes the home screen icon but doesn’t affect the original app.
Storage issues rarely occur. Custom icons use minimal space (10-50 KB each), but mobile application development files can accumulate if you frequently change designs.
Native Shortcuts vs Third-Party Apps
Setup time: Shortcuts requires 2-3 minutes per icon; third-party apps do bulk changes in 10-15 minutes total.
Cost comparison shows Shortcuts is free and unlimited. Third-party apps charge $3.99-$9.99 for full features, though free trials let you test before buying.
Functionality differs-Shortcuts gives complete control over each icon but demands manual work. Apps like Widgetsmith offer pre-designed sets but limit customization options in free tiers.
User experience through Shortcuts feels clunkier because of the brief app-opening flash. Third-party apps using widget-based launching face the same limitation but often have smoother UI/UX design within their interfaces.
System resource usage remains negligible for both methods. Custom icons don’t run background processes or drain battery.
Home Screen Widgets and Custom Icons
Widgets display information without opening apps. Weather, calendar, photos-they complement custom icons by filling empty home screen space.
Widgets don’t replace app icons. They serve different functions, though widget-launching apps can technically substitute for traditional icons in some custom app development scenarios.
Matching widget aesthetics to icon colors creates cohesive designs. Widgetsmith and Color Widgets let you customize widget backgrounds, text colors, and border styles to align with your icon theme.
Stack widgets (iOS 14+) save space by letting you swipe through multiple widgets in one spot. Pair them with custom icons for maximum home screen efficiency.
App Library and Custom Icons
App Library automatically organizes all installed apps into categories. Custom shortcut icons don’t appear here-only the original app icons show up.
Original app icons remain fully functional in App Library even after creating custom home screen versions. You’re not replacing the app, just adding a decorated launcher.
Hide original icons from home screen pages by long-pressing, selecting “Remove App,” then choosing “Remove from Home Screen” (not “Delete App”). The app stays on your device and remains accessible via App Library or Search.
Search still finds apps by their original names regardless of custom shortcut labels. Typing “Instagram” works even if your custom icon is labeled “IG” or “Photos.”
Maintaining Custom Icon Performance
Backup strategies prevent icon loss during iOS updates. Export your custom icon images to Files app or cloud storage before major system updates.
Screenshot your completed home screen layout for reference. Makes rebuilding easier if you need to restore your device or icons get disorganized.
iOS version compatibility changes rarely affect existing custom icons. Updates from iOS 14 to iOS 17 haven’t broken the Shortcuts method, though Apple could theoretically remove this feature in future releases.
Batch creation saves hours when designing sets of 20+ icons. Use wireframing principles in Canva or similar tools to create templates, then swap colors for each app.
Siri Shortcuts automation lets power users create voice commands for launching customized apps. “Hey Siri, open blue Instagram” can trigger your custom shortcut directly.
Attribute Values: Technical Specifications
Icon dimensions: 180×180 pixels minimum, 1024×1024 pixels ideal for future-proofing. iOS scales down automatically but starting larger maintains quality.
iOS version requirements start at iOS 14.0 for Shortcuts-based customization. Earlier versions (iOS 13 and below) require jailbreaking, which voids warranties and creates security risks.
File size recommendations suggest keeping each icon under 500 KB. PNG files at 1024×1024 with basic colors typically run 50-150 KB.
Supported file formats include PNG (recommended for transparency), JPEG (works but shows backgrounds), and HEIC (Apple’s native format). Avoid GIF or SVG-they don’t render properly in Shortcuts.
Processing time per icon averages 90 seconds after you’ve learned the workflow. First-timers take 3-4 minutes per icon, experienced users drop to 60 seconds.
FAQ on How To Change The Color Of Apps On iPhone
Can you change app icon colors without third-party apps?
Yes, using the Shortcuts app pre-installed on iOS 14 and later. Create a new shortcut, select “Open App,” add a custom icon from your Photos, and place it on your home screen. No downloads required.
Do custom app icons show notification badges?
No. Custom shortcut icons don’t display notification badges. The original app in your App Library still shows red numbered badges, or you can use home screen widgets to monitor notifications instead.
Will custom icons slow down my iPhone?
Minimal impact. Custom icons launch 0.5-1 seconds slower because Shortcuts briefly opens before redirecting to your app. Battery drain is negligible-the extra processing uses microseconds per launch, not enough to affect daily usage.
Can I use custom icons on older iPhones?
Requires iPhone 6s or newer running iOS 14 minimum. Earlier models (iPhone 6 and below) or devices stuck on iOS 13 can’t use the Shortcuts method without jailbreaking, which creates security risks.
What size should custom app icons be?
180×180 pixels minimum, 1024×1024 pixels ideal. iOS automatically scales icons down, but starting with larger dimensions maintains sharp quality on all screen sizes. PNG format works best for transparent backgrounds.
Do custom icons stay after iOS updates?
Yes. Custom shortcut icons persist through iOS updates and device restarts. They only disappear if you delete the linked image from Photos or manually remove the shortcut from your home screen.
Can I bulk change all app icons at once?
Not with native Shortcuts-each icon requires manual creation. Third-party apps like Widgetsmith or Color Widgets offer bulk icon packs that apply to multiple apps simultaneously, saving 30-45 minutes for full home screens.
Will custom icons affect app performance?
No performance impact. Custom icons are simply launchers-they don’t modify the actual app functionality, codebase, or system resources. The target app runs identically whether opened through custom or original icons.
Can I share my custom icon set with friends?
Yes. Export your icon images to Files app or cloud storage, then share the folder. Recipients need to manually create Shortcuts using your images, or you can share completed shortcuts via AirDrop.
Do custom icons work with all iPhone apps?
Works with every installed app including App Store downloads, native Apple apps, and web apps added to home screen. System functions like Settings, Camera, and Control Center require shortcuts to customize their icons.
Conclusion
Mastering how to change the color of apps on iPhone opens up endless home screen personalization possibilities. Your device reflects your style, not Apple’s defaults.
The Shortcuts app method costs nothing and works immediately. Third-party customization apps speed up the process for users willing to pay subscription fees.
Custom app icons create aesthetic home screen layouts that stand out. Color-coded organization, monochrome themes, or pastel aesthetics-all achievable in under an hour.
Remember notification badges won’t appear on custom shortcuts, and the brief launching delay is unavoidable without jailbreaking. Minor tradeoffs for a completely personalized iPhone customization experience.
Start with 5-10 frequently used apps to test your design preferences before committing to a full home screen makeover.
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Many of his resources are available on various design marketplaces and for free on Codepen.
Over the years, he's worked with a range of clients and contributed to design publications like Design Your Way, Designmodo, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Speckyboy, and Slider Revolution among others.
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