How to Change App Icons on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of the plain, default app icons on your iPhone’s home screen? Do you want to add a touch of personalization and make your iPhone home screen stand out from the rest? If so, then look no further. With the latest iOS updates, users can now change their app icons with ease. No need for jailbreaking or complex coding knowledge. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of changing app icons on your iPhone using shortcuts or third-party apps. We will also introduce some of the best third-party apps for customizing iPhone app icons. So, let’s get started!

Why Change Your iPhone App Icons?

Are you tired of the same old iPhone app icons staring back at you every day? Did you know there’s a way to customize your iPhone apps and give your home screen a fresh, new look? In this article, we’ll explore why changing your iPhone app icons is worth considering.

Firstly, it allows you to personalize your phone and make it truly yours. Your iPhone is an extension of your personality, and customizing your app icons can reflect that. You can choose icons that match your favorite color scheme or aesthetic, or even create your own custom icons using your photos. It adds a touch of individuality to your device and sets it apart from others.

Customizing your iPhone app icons can also boost your productivity. With so many apps on our phones, finding the one we need quickly can be a challenge. Changing the icons to something more recognizable or adding labels can help us find what we need faster, saving time and improving efficiency.

Another reason to change your iPhone app icons is to create a more visually appealing home screen. We use our phones multiple times a day, so it’s important to have a home screen that’s clean, organized, and easy on the eyes. Custom icons can add pops of color and create a cohesive design that looks aesthetically pleasing.

Lastly, changing iPhone app icons provides a chance to refresh and renew your relationship with your device. It can feel like getting a new phone without actually having to buy one. Customizing your iPhone apps gives you a new perspective on the apps you use every day, and it can reignite your interest in them.

In conclusion, changing your iPhone app icons is a simple yet effective way to personalize your device, improve your productivity, enhance the visual appeal of your home screen, and renew your relationship with your phone. So, go ahead and customize your iPhone apps today!

How to Change App Icons on iPhone

Method 1: Using Shortcuts

One of the easiest ways to change app icons on your iPhone is by using shortcuts. Shortcuts are a powerful automation tool in iOS that can perform a variety of tasks with just a tap. Here’s how you can use shortcuts to customize your app icons:

Step 1: Create a Shortcut

To create a shortcut, open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone and tap the “+” icon. From there, you can select “Add Action” and choose the action you want your shortcut to perform. For example, if you want to open the Instagram app from your custom icon, select “Open App” and choose Instagram from the list of apps.

Step 2: Add to Home Screen

Once you’ve created your shortcut, you can add it to your home screen as a custom app icon. To do this, tap the share button in the Shortcuts app and select “Add to Home Screen.” You can then choose a name for your shortcut and select an image to use as your app icon.

Step 3: Select Photo

When selecting an image for your app icon, you can either choose from the pre-loaded images or select a photo from your camera roll. This allows for ultimate customization, allowing you to personalize your phone with your own images. Keep in mind that the image you choose should be square and at least 1200 x 1200 pixels to ensure maximum quality.

Using shortcuts to customize your app icons is a quick and simple solution that doesn’t require any third-party apps. Plus, creating shortcuts is a great way to save time and automate repetitive tasks on your iPhone. Give it a try and see how it can improve your mobile experience!

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps

If you’re looking for a more extensive range of customizations beyond what Apple offers, then third-party apps can help you achieve the look and feel that you desire on your iOS home screen. Here are the steps to change app icons on iPhone using third-party apps:

Download an app: There are several apps available on the App Store that allow customization of app icons. Some popular ones are Widgetsmith, Color Widgets, and App Icon Changer. You can download these apps from the App Store directly onto your iPhone.
Choose an icon theme: Once you have downloaded the app, open it and choose the icon theme you like. The app will provide you with a range of themes, which may include minimalist, neon, pastel, or even vintage styles.
Apply custom icons: After selecting a theme, you can start customizing your app icons. Most apps display a list of all installed apps on your iPhone, and you can select the app whose icon you want to change. Once you’ve selected it, you can pick an icon from the app’s collection or upload your own photo to use as an icon.

By following these steps, you can apply custom icons to all your favorite apps in just a few minutes. These third-party apps also offer additional features like widget customization and personalized notification badges to give your iOS home screen a unique and modern look.

It is worth keeping in mind that when you change app icons on your iPhone using third-party apps, the customization only applies to the app’s icon itself. It does not change the name of the app or its functionality in any way. Additionally, some third-party apps may require a subscription fee to access premium features.

Overall, using third-party apps can be an effective way to customize your iPhone app icons and make your iOS home screen stand out. With the variety of options available, you’re sure to find the perfect theme and icons that best represent your personal style.

Best Third-Party Apps for Customizing iPhone App Icons

Widgetsmith

If you’re looking for a way to customize your iPhone’s home screen, Widgetsmith is one of the best third-party apps out there. This app allows you to create custom widgets for your iOS 14 home screen, including time, date and weather widgets. With Widgetsmith, you can choose from different widget sizes and styles, as well as customize the font, color and background of your widgets.

One of the most impressive features of Widgetsmith is its icon creator. This tool allows you to design your own icons for your apps, using a variety of shapes, colors and symbols. You can even use images from your camera roll as the background for your icons, giving them a unique and personalized look.

Widgetsmith also offers a range of pre-designed widgets and themes that you can use or modify to suit your preferences. For example, if you’re a fan of minimalist design, you might opt for a simple black-and-white clock widget. Alternatively, if you want something more eye-catching, you could choose a colorful weather widget with animated graphics.

Overall, Widgetsmith is an excellent option for anyone who wants to add some personality and style to their iPhone’s home screen. With its extensive customization options and user-friendly interface, this app makes it easy to create beautiful and functional widgets that reflect your personal taste and needs.

Color Widgets

Color Widgets is a popular third-party app that allows iPhone users to customize their home screen with colorful and interactive widgets. With this app, you can add photo widgets, customize widget layout, and choose from a wide variety of pre-designed widgets to match your style.

One of the most appealing features of Color Widgets is its ability to create photo widgets. You can select any photo from your camera roll and turn it into a beautiful and eye-catching widget. This feature is perfect for those who want to personalize their home screen with their own memories or favorite images.

Another great feature of Color Widgets is the ability to customize widget layout. You can choose from a range of different sizes and layouts to fit your needs. This makes it easy to create a unique and personalized home screen that reflects your personality and preferences.

In addition to its customization features, Color Widgets offers a wide range of pre-designed widgets. These colorful widgets come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are perfect for adding some fun and personality to your home screen. You can choose from clocks, weather widgets, calendars, and more.

Overall, Color Widgets is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add some color and flair to their home screen. Its customizable features and extensive library of pre-designed widgets make it easy to create a personalized and unique home screen that stands out from the crowd.

App Icon Changer

App Icon Changer is a third-party app that offers iPhone users an extensive collection of icons for their apps. With this app, you can give your iOS home screen a complete makeover by applying new icons in bulk or one by one. The app also comes with pre-made theme packs that can change the entire look and feel of your home screen.

One of the best features of App Icon Changer is its vast range of icons. You can choose from over 10,000 icons in different styles and colors to match your preferences. This means that no matter what type of app icon you’re looking for, you’re likely to find it in this app.

In addition to the huge collection of icons, App Icon Changer also offers theme packs. These packs are sets of icons that are already carefully curated and organized to fit a specific theme or aesthetic. For instance, there are packs for minimalist design, pastel colors, and even Halloween themes. If you want to change all of your app icons at once, these theme packs make it easy to do so without spending hours manually customizing each individual icon.

To apply new icons using App Icon Changer, all you need to do is select the app you want to change the icon for and then pick a new icon from the app’s library. Once you’ve chosen the new icon, simply tap the “Set” button, and the app will update the icon on your home screen.

Overall, App Icon Changer is a great way to customize your iPhone and add some personality to your home screen. Its extensive collection of icons and pre-made theme packs make it easy to find and apply new icons quickly and efficiently. So if you’re looking to switch things up on your iPhone, be sure to give App Icon Changer a try!

Tips for Choosing the Right App Icons

When it comes to customizing app icons on your iPhone, choosing the right icon is crucial to achieving a cohesive and visually pleasing home screen. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect app icons:

Consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to creating a uniform look for your home screen. Choose app icons that have a similar style or theme. For example, if you’re opting for a minimalistic look, choose icons with simple shapes and muted colors. Similarly, if you prefer a more vibrant look, opt for icons with bright colors and bold designs.

Simplicity

Simplicity is essential for legibility. Avoid using overly complex icons as they may be difficult to distinguish from other icons on your home screen. Instead, choose icons with a clear and recognizable design that can be easily identified at a glance.

Legibility

Legibility is critical when selecting app icons. Ensure that the icon’s graphics and text are easy to read. Avoid using elaborate fonts or intricate designs that may be challenging to decipher. Additionally, ensure that the contrast between the icon’s background and its graphics/text is sufficient to make it easily readable.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can create an aesthetically pleasing home screen that’s also easy to navigate. Remember, consistency, simplicity, and legibility are key elements to consider when selecting app icons. With a little bit of effort and attention to detail, you can customize your iPhone’s home screen to reflect your personal style and preferences.
As we’ve seen, changing app icons on your iPhone is a great way to personalize your iOS home screen and make it uniquely yours. Whether you choose to use shortcuts or third-party apps like Widgetsmith, Color Widgets, and App Icon Changer, the process is simple and easy to follow. With so many options available, you can choose from an extensive collection of icons, theme packs, and custom widgets to create a cohesive and visually appealing home screen. Remember to keep consistency, simplicity, and legibility in mind when choosing your app icons for the best results. So go ahead and give it a try – have fun and make your iPhone stand out from the crowd!