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One of the unique features of the iPhone is the ability to customize the look of your home screen by changing the icons of your apps. With iOS 14, Apple introduced the App Library, which organizes your apps based on their categories. However, many iPhone users still prefer the traditional home screen layout and want to give it a personal touch.
Changing the icons of your apps is an easy way to make your home screen look more organized and stylish. In this blog post, we will take you through different methods of changing the icons of apps on your iPhone.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To change the icons of apps on your iPhone, you will need the following:
- An iPhone running iOS 14 or higher
- The app whose icon you want to change
- A picture of the new icon in PNG format
- The Shortcuts app, which is available for free on the App Store
What Requires Your Focus?
To successfully change the icons of apps on your iPhone, you will need to focus on the following:
- Choosing the right size and format of the picture for the new icon
- Creating custom shortcuts for each app whose icon you want to change
- Setting the new icon as the thumbnail of the shortcut
Different Methods to Change Icons of Apps on iPhone
Method 1: Using the Shortcuts App
If you want to change the icon of an app using the Shortcuts app, follow these steps:
1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the + icon in the top-right corner to create a new shortcut.
3. Tap Add Action and search for the Open App action.
4. Select the app whose icon you want to change.
5. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to open the Details screen.
6. Tap Add to Home Screen.
7. Tap the icon next to the shortcut name and select Choose Photo.
8. Select the PNG file of the new icon from your Photos app.
9. Name the shortcut and tap Add.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Free and available on the App Store
Cons:
- The new icon is only visible when you open the app via the shortcut
- More time-consuming if you want to change multiple app icons
Method 2: Using the Apple Shortcuts Website
If you want to change the icon of an app using the Apple Shortcuts website, follow these steps:
1. Visit the Apple Shortcuts website on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Browse button and select the Utilities category.
3. Scroll down to the Set App Icon shortcut and tap it.
4. Tap Get Shortcut to download it to your Shortcuts app.
5. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to open the Details screen.
6. Tap Add to Home Screen.
7. Tap the icon next to the shortcut name and select Choose Photo.
8. Select the PNG file of the new icon from your Photos app.
9. Name the shortcut and tap Add.
Pros:
- The Apple Shortcuts website offers a wide range of shortcuts for various actions
- Free to use
Cons:
- Requires access to the internet and a web browser
- Downloading and configuring the Set App Icon shortcut can be time-consuming
Method 3: Using a Third-Party App
If you want to change the icons of multiple apps at once and want an easier method, you can use a third-party app like Widgetsmith or Photo Widget. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Download and install Widgetsmith or Photo Widget from the App Store.
2. Open the app and choose the widget size that matches the app icon size.
3. Tap Add New Widget and select the type of widget you want.
4. Tap the widget to open the customization screen.
5. Select the app whose icon you want to change and tap Choose.
6. Select the PNG file of the new icon from your Photos app.
7. Name the widget and place it on your home screen.
Pros:
- Easy to use and offers a wide range of customization options for widgets
- Good for changing multiple app icons at once
Cons:
- You may need to pay for certain features in the app
- You need to set up a widget for each app you want to change the icon for
Method 4: Using Shortcuts and Icon Packs
If you want to change the icons of multiple apps quickly and easily without using any third-party apps, you can use a combination of the Shortcuts app and icon packs available on the App Store. Here’s how to do it:
1. Download an icon pack from the App Store that includes the app icons you want to change.
2. Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut.
3. Tap Add Action and search for the Set Wallpaper action.
4. Select the icon pack from your Photos app and set it as the wallpaper.
5. Long-press on the home screen to enter Jiggle mode and tap the + icon.
6. Tap the Custom icon and select the app whose icon you want to change.
7. Select the shortcut you created and tap Add.
Pros:
- Easy and quick to change multiple app icons at once
- No need to download a third-party app
Cons:
- The icon pack you download may not include the icons for all the apps you want to change
- The new icons are only visible when you open the app from the home screen
Why Can’t I Change Icons of Apps on iPhone?
If you are unable to change the icons of your apps on iPhone, it may be because:
1. Your iPhone is not running iOS 14 or higher.
– Fix: Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.
2. The app whose icon you want to change has restrictions that prevent it from being modified.
– Fix: You cannot change the icons of apps that do not allow customization.
3. The picture you are using for the new icon is not in PNG format or does not meet the size requirements.
– Fix: Use a picture editor app like Canva or Photoshop to resize and convert the picture to PNG format.
Implications and Recommendations
Changing the icons of your apps can have several implications, including:
- Increased personalization and creativity in organizing your home screen
- Improved aesthetics and visual appeal
- Easy identification of frequently used apps
Our recommendation is to use a combination of methods depending on your needs and preferences. For instance, if you want to change multiple app icons at once, you can use Widgetsmith or Photo Widget. If you only want to change a few icons, you can use the Shortcuts app.
5 FAQs about Changing Icons of Apps on iPhone
Q1: Can I change the icons of all apps on my iPhone?
A1: No, you cannot change the icons of all apps on your iPhone. Some apps, such as system apps and those with restrictions, may not allow customization.
Q2: Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to change app icons?
A2: No, you do not need to jailbreak your iPhone to change app icons. You can use the Shortcuts app or third-party apps like Widgetsmith or Photo Widget.
Q3: Will changing the icons of my apps affect their functionality?
A3: No, changing the icons of your apps will not affect their functionality. It only changes the appearance of the app icon on your home screen.
Q4: Can I revert back to the original app icon?
A4: Yes, you can revert back to the original app icon by deleting the shortcut/widget or removing the wallpaper you used with the icons.
Q5: Can I create my own icons for apps?
A5: Yes, you can create your own icons for apps using a picture editor app like Canva or Photoshop and save them as PNG files for use with the Shortcuts app or icon packs.
In Conclusion
Changing the icons of apps on your iPhone can add a personal touch to your home screen and make it look more organized and stylish. There are different methods you can use to change app icons, including using the Shortcuts app, third-party apps, or icon packs. You can choose the method that works best for you, depending on your needs and preferences.