Your iPhone isn’t just a tool—it’s a reflection of your personality, habits, and style. And while Apple provides a clean, polished interface out of the box, you might reach a point where you want more flair, uniqueness, or creative control over your home screen. That’s where changing app icons comes in.
Whether you want a minimalist theme, an aesthetic pink-and-beige layout, a moody dark mode setup, or something playful and colorful, learning how to change app icons on your iPhone opens the door to a truly custom look.
While Apple doesn’t natively allow you to replace app icons directly like on Android, iOS offers a clever workaround using the Shortcuts app, built-in features, and custom images. In this detailed guide, you’ll learn exactly how to change your app icons and transform your home screen into a space that feels 100% you.
Why Change App Icons on iPhone?
People customize their app icons for all sorts of reasons, including:
- Aesthetic expression: Create a home screen that matches your personal style.
- Color coordination: Match icons to your wallpaper or theme.
- Organization: Use color-coded or symbolic icons to group apps visually.
- Minimalism: Simplify your interface by using icons with less visual noise.
- Creativity and fun: Design something entirely new and engaging.
And the best part? You don’t need to jailbreak your iPhone or use sketchy third-party software. Apple’s own Shortcuts app gives you the power to do it safely and easily.
What You’ll Need Before You Begin
Before diving in, make sure you have the following ready:
- iPhone running iOS 14 or later (these features were introduced in iOS 14)
- The Shortcuts app (usually pre-installed)
- Custom app icons or images (from your camera roll or a design you’ve created)
- A little patience—it only takes a few minutes per icon
Now let’s go step by step.
Step 1: Choose or Create Your New App Icons
First, you need to decide what icons you want to use in place of the originals.
You can:
- Download icon sets online (just make sure you’re getting them from safe and legal sources)
- Design your own icons using apps like Canva or Procreate
- Use images from your photo gallery (for a quirky, personal look)
Make sure the images are square and at least 512×512 pixels for best clarity. Save them to your Photos app.
Step 2: Open the Shortcuts App
Now that you have your icons, open the Shortcuts app. This is the tool we’ll use to create app launchers with custom icons.
If you don’t see it:
Go to the App Library, search for “Shortcuts,” or download it from the App Store (if previously deleted).
Step 3: Create a New Shortcut for the App
- In the Shortcuts app, tap the plus (+) icon in the top right
- Tap Add Action
- In the search bar, type “Open App” and select it
- Tap App (highlighted in blue)
- Choose the app you want to customize (e.g., Messages, Safari, Spotify)
This shortcut will launch your chosen app when triggered.
Step 4: Customize the App Icon and Name
- Tap the info (i) icon or the arrow icon near the top
- Tap Add to Home Screen
- Tap the icon preview (next to the shortcut name)
- Choose Choose Photo and select your custom icon image
- Name your shortcut (this will appear as the app’s label on your home screen)
For a clean look, you can use no name or a single emoji!
- Tap Add (top-right corner)
- Return to your home screen—you’ll now see the new icon!
Step 5: Hide the Original App Icon (Optional)
Your custom icon is technically a shortcut, not a replacement for the original app. That means the actual app icon still exists somewhere.
To avoid clutter:
- Tap and hold the original app icon
- Tap Remove App
- Choose Move to App Library
This will keep the app installed but remove it from your home screen. Now only your new custom icon is visible.
Repeat for Other Apps
Want to change more icons? Simply repeat Steps 2–5 for each app.
Yes, it’s a bit time-consuming, but once you’re done, you’ll have a fully customized iPhone layout that reflects your personal style.
Pros and Cons of Changing App Icons on iPhone
Let’s break down what’s great—and what’s not so great—about customizing app icons using the Shortcuts method.
✅ Pros:
- Complete visual customization
- No jailbreaking required
- Uses Apple’s own tools (safe and legal)
- Works with any app
- Fun and expressive
❌ Cons:
- Custom icons are shortcuts, not the original app
- Tapping a shortcut briefly opens the Shortcuts app first (before the actual app)
- Notification badges won’t appear on the new icons
- It takes time to set up multiple apps
Still, many users feel these small trade-offs are worth it for the creative freedom.
Tips for an Aesthetic iPhone Home Screen
If you’re serious about creating a cohesive and beautiful layout, here are a few design tips:
🎨 Stick to a Theme
Choose a color palette or visual style—pastel, neon, dark mode, vintage, etc.—and apply it consistently.
🧹 Use Widgets
Combine your custom icons with widgets using the Widgetsmith or Color Widgets apps to create layout variety.
🎯 Group Similar Apps
Place related apps in the same area or row using icons with similar shapes or colors.
🖼️ Use Matching Wallpapers
Find a background that complements your icon set. Avoid overly busy wallpapers that can distract from your icons.
🧩 Organize with Pages
Dedicate each home screen page to a different category—Productivity, Social, Health, etc.
What About Dynamic App Icons or Live Widgets?
As of now, iOS does not support true dynamic app icon changes like Android. Some Apple apps, like the Calendar and Clock, update in real time, but others don’t.
If you’re hoping for automatically rotating icons or dynamic visual changes based on time or mode, it’s not currently possible—though Apple may expand customization in future iOS versions.
Can You Go Back to the Default Icons?
Yes! If you want to revert:
- Tap and hold the custom icon
- Tap Remove Bookmark or Delete
- Go to your App Library and drag the original app back to the home screen
That’s it—you’re back to the standard iOS look.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I change icons for system apps like Messages or Settings?
Yes. You can create a shortcut for any app, including system apps. However, you still can’t change the original icon—you’ll always be creating a shortcut.
Q: Will custom icons affect battery life or performance?
No. Using shortcuts to launch apps has minimal impact. There might be a slight delay (less than a second) as the Shortcuts app opens briefly.
Q: Can I remove the Shortcuts splash screen?
As of now, no. The transition through Shortcuts is part of the process, but it’s very quick and subtle in iOS 15 and above.
Q: Can I change app icons without the Shortcuts app?
Not really. Shortcuts is the only Apple-approved method to do this without jailbreaking your phone. However, apps like “Brass” or “Themify” help organize icon packs using Shortcuts in bulk.
Final Thoughts: Your iPhone, Your Aesthetic
Customizing your app icons on iPhone is one of the most fun and satisfying ways to make your phone feel truly yours. Whether you’re looking for a minimalist layout, a seasonal theme, or just a splash of color, changing app icons opens the door to creative expression.
Yes, it takes a few minutes per app, and yes, it’s technically a workaround—but the results are well worth it. And the best part? You can change it all again next week if you feel like refreshing your phone’s look.
So go ahead—open Shortcuts, pick your favorite icon set, and start building a home screen that brings you joy every time you unlock your phone.
Would you like a short 4-line YouTube description or summary to pair with this article?