In today’s digital age, personalizing our mobile devices has become an essential part of self-expression and customization. And one of the most impactful ways to personalize our iPhones is by changing the app icons. With a simple change in the app icon, you can completely revamp the look and feel of your iPhone, giving it a fresh and unique appearance.
But how exactly can you change an app icon on your iPhone? In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of changing app icons on your iPhone, so you can give your device a personal touch that stands out from the crowd. Whether you’re looking to match your app icons to your favorite color scheme, create a minimalist aesthetic, or just add a touch of creativity, we’ve got you covered.
Inside This Article
- Overview of App Icons on iPhone
- Method 1: Changing App Icons using Shortcuts
- Method 2: Changing App Icons using Third-Party Apps
- Method 3: Changing App Icons using the App Store
- Method 4: Creating Custom App Icons with Shortcuts
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Overview of App Icons on iPhone
App icons are the visual representations of various applications installed on your iPhone. They are displayed on the home screen, allowing you to quickly access your favorite apps. Each app comes with its own unique icon, designed by app developers or designers to reflect the purpose or branding of the application.
On iPhone, app icons typically consist of a combination of colorful graphics, simplified illustrations, and text. Apple’s iOS design guidelines ensure that app icons are visually appealing, distinct, and easy to recognize.
The size of app icons on iPhone varies depending on the device model and iOS version. However, they are generally displayed in a square shape, with dimensions ranging from 60×60 pixels to 180×180 pixels. It’s important to note that app icons may appear differently on different iPhone models, such as the larger display of the iPhone Plus or the rounded corners of the iPhone X and newer models.
App icons not only serve as visual indicators of the apps you have installed, but they also provide a way to personalize and customize your iPhone’s home screen. You can rearrange app icons, create folders, and even change the appearance of app icons using various methods and techniques.
In the following sections, we will explore different methods to change app icons on your iPhone, allowing you to add a personal touch to your device and make it truly unique.
Method 1: Changing App Icons using Shortcuts
If you’re looking to customize your iPhone’s app icons, one of the easiest methods is by using the Shortcuts app. Shortcuts is a powerful tool that allows you to create automated workflows on your iPhone. By utilizing Shortcuts, you can easily change the app icon for any app on your iPhone without the need for any third-party apps or complex processes.
Here’s how you can change app icons using Shortcuts:
- First, make sure you have the Shortcuts app installed on your iPhone. If you haven’t installed it yet, you can download it for free from the App Store.
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap on the “Create Shortcut” button to start creating a new shortcut.
- Tap on the “+” button to add an action to your shortcut.
- In the search bar, type “Open App” and select the “Open App” action.
- Choose the app for which you want to change the icon.
- Tap on the three dots (…) icon on the top-right corner of the action.
- Select “Add to Home Screen” from the menu.
- In the Home Screen Name field, enter the name you want to appear below the new app icon.
- Tap on the app icon next to the Home Screen Name field and select the image you want to use as the new app icon. You can choose an image from your photo library or use an image from the web.
- Tap on “Add” to save the changes.
- Now, you can find the new shortcut on your home screen.
- Tap on the shortcut to open the app with the customized app icon.
Using Shortcuts to change app icons gives you the flexibility to personalize your iPhone’s home screen without relying on additional third-party apps. You can experiment with different icon designs and organize your apps in a creative and unique way.
Note that changing app icons using Shortcuts does not actually replace the original app icon. Instead, it creates a shortcut with a custom app icon that opens the respective app. This means that if you delete the original app from your iPhone, the shortcut will no longer work.
Now that you know how to change app icons using Shortcuts, you can easily customize your iPhone’s home screen and give it a fresh new look.
Method 2: Changing App Icons using Third-Party Apps
If you’re looking for more customization options when it comes to changing app icons on your iPhone, using third-party apps is a great option. These apps not only allow you to change the icons of your apps but also offer a wide range of icon designs and themes to choose from. Here’s how you can go about using third-party apps to change your app icons:
1. Start by downloading a reputable app from the App Store that specializes in app icon customization. Some popular options include ‘Icon Changer+’ or ‘App Icons+’.
2. Once you’ve installed the app, open it and browse through the available icon styles and themes. These apps typically offer a variety of different designs, ranging from minimalist and elegant to fun and funky.
3. Select the app icon you wish to change, and then choose a new icon from the available options. You can search for a specific style or select from the pre-made sets provided by the app.
4. After you’ve chosen your desired app icon, follow the instructions provided by the app to apply it to your iPhone’s home screen. This usually involves creating a shortcut or bookmark that launches the app with the new icon.
5. Once the new icon is applied, you can rearrange it on your home screen or move it to a specific folder, just like any other app icon. Keep in mind that the original app is still present on your iPhone; the third-party app is simply creating a shortcut with a custom icon.
It’s worth noting that while using third-party apps to change your app icons can be a fun and unique way to personalize your iPhone, it does have some limitations. For example, some apps may not support all of your installed apps, and certain system apps may be excluded from the customization options.
Additionally, the process of changing app icons using third-party apps may require you to create shortcuts or bookmarks, which could introduce a level of complexity or confusion, especially for those who are not tech-savvy.
Overall, if you’re willing to explore different icon designs and themes beyond what Apple provides, using third-party apps can be an exciting option to enhance the visual appeal of your iPhone’s home screen.
Method 3: Changing App Icons using the App Store
If you’re looking for a seamless and convenient way to change app icons on your iPhone, the App Store offers a variety of options. Many app developers have started offering alternative app icons for their apps, allowing users to customize their home screen aesthetics. Here’s how you can change app icons using the App Store:
1. Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap on the search tab.
2. Type in the name of the app for which you want to change the icon.
3. Once you find the app in the search results, tap on it to open its app page.
4. Look for the “See All” or “Customize” button, which may be located near the app’s screenshots or description.
5. Tap on the “See All” or “Customize” button to explore the available app icon options.
6. Browse through the available app icons and select the one you prefer.
7. After selecting the new app icon, you may have the option to preview it on your home screen before applying it.
8. Once you’re satisfied with your choice, tap on the “Apply” or “Save” button.
9. The new app icon will be applied to the app on your home screen, allowing you to enjoy a fresh look for your favorite apps.
Note that not all apps in the App Store offer alternative app icons. The availability of this feature depends on the app developer’s implementation. Additionally, some apps may require you to make an in-app purchase to access different app icons.
Changing app icons using the App Store is a straightforward and hassle-free way to personalize your home screen. It allows you to give your apps a fresh and unique look without the need for any additional tools or third-party apps.
So, go ahead and explore the App Store to discover new app icons for your favorite apps and give your iPhone’s home screen a personalized touch.
Method 4: Creating Custom App Icons with Shortcuts
With the release of iOS 14, Apple introduced a new feature that allows users to create custom app icons using Shortcuts. This method gives you the ability to personalize your iPhone’s home screen by selecting icons of your choice for your favorite apps.
To create custom app icons with Shortcuts, follow these steps:
1.
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2.
Tap on the “+” icon to create a new shortcut.
3.
In the search bar, type “Open App” and select the “Open App” action.
4.
Choose the app for which you want to create a custom icon.
5.
Tap on the ellipsis (…) to access additional options.
6.
Select “Add to Home Screen”.
7.
Tap on the icon next to “Home Screen Name and Icon”.
8.
You can choose to select an image from your photo library or use the built-in icons provided by the Shortcuts app.
9.
After selecting the desired icon, enter the name for the shortcut.
10.
Tap on “Add” to create the custom app icon.
Repeat these steps for each app you want to customize. You can get creative and design unique icons for all your favorite apps, giving your iPhone a personalized touch.
Remember that custom app icons created using Shortcuts act as shortcuts to the original app. When you tap the custom icon, it will launch the corresponding app. You won’t be able to change the core functionality of the app, but you can alter its appearance on your home screen.
Creating custom app icons with Shortcuts is a fun way to express your style and make your iPhone’s home screen truly unique. Whether you prefer minimalist designs or colorful illustrations, you can easily transform the look of your apps to match your personal taste.
So, go ahead and give it a try. Customize your app icons and enjoy a visually refreshing home screen experience on your iPhone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, changing the app icon on an iPhone is a simple and effective way to customize the appearance of your device. With the help of this guide, you’ve learned the step-by-step process to change an app icon using built-in features, as well as third-party apps like Shortcuts. By exploring different icon options and personalizing your iPhone’s home screen, you can add a touch of uniqueness and style to your device.
Remember to always review the guidelines and terms of use when using third-party apps or downloading custom icons to ensure the security and functionality of your device. Embrace the freedom of customization and make your iPhone truly reflect your personality and preferences.
FAQs
1. Can I change the app icon on my iPhone?
Yes, you can change the app icon on your iPhone by using third-party apps or shortcuts.
2. Are there any built-in options to change the app icons on iPhone?
Currently, there are no built-in options provided by Apple to change the app icons on iPhone. However, you can customize the app icons using various third-party apps available on the App Store.
3. How can I change the app icon on my iPhone using third-party apps?
To change the app icon on your iPhone using third-party apps, you first need to download and install one of the app icon customization apps from the App Store. Once installed, these apps allow you to select a new icon for your desired app and apply it to your home screen.
4. Is it possible to create my own custom app icons for iPhone?
Yes, you can create your own custom app icons for iPhone by using graphic design software or online tools. You can design the icons according to your preferences and save them as image files. Then, using third-party app icon customization apps, you can apply these custom icons to your desired apps on the home screen.
5. Will changing the app icons on iPhone affect the functionality of the apps?
No, changing the app icons on iPhone will not affect the functionality of the apps. It is purely a cosmetic change that allows you to personalize the appearance of your home screen. The apps will continue to work as usual, regardless of the icons you choose.
