The release of iOS 14 has brought exciting new updates and features to Apple devices, including the ability to customize your home screen like never before. With this latest operating system, you can now personalize your iPhone and iPad with widgets, app icons, and a whole new level of creativity.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of customizing your home screen on iOS 14, unlocking the full potential of your device and giving it a fresh new look. Whether you’re a design enthusiast or simply wanting to make your device more personalized, this guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of transforming your home screen into a unique reflection of your style and preferences.
Inside This Article
- Set a Custom Wallpaper
- Create Custom App Icons
- Organize Apps into Customized Widgets
- Customize App Library Appearance
- Set a Custom Wallpaper
- Create Custom App Icons
- Organize Apps into Customized Widgets
- Customize App Library Appearance
- Conclusion
- FAQs
iOS 14 introduced a long-awaited feature that has allowed iPhone users to customize their home screens like never before. With the ability to set custom wallpapers, create personalized app icons, and organize apps into customized widgets, you can now give your iPhone a unique and distinctive look. In this article, we will guide you through the process of customizing your home screen on iOS 14.
Set a Custom Wallpaper
Changing your wallpaper is the first step to personalizing your home screen. To set a custom wallpaper on iOS 14, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on “Wallpaper” and then choose “Choose a New Wallpaper.
- You can select a wallpaper from the available options or tap “Photos” to choose from your own photo library.
- Once you’ve selected your desired wallpaper, you can adjust it to fit your screen perfectly by pinching and zooming or dragging the image.
- Tap “Set” and choose whether you want to set the wallpaper for your home screen, lock screen, or both.
With a custom wallpaper, your home screen will instantly reflect your personal style and preferences.
Create Custom App Icons
If you want to take your customization to the next level, you can create custom app icons for your favorite apps. Here’s how:
- Start by downloading a custom icon pack from the App Store, or you can create your own icons using design software like Canva or Adobe Illustrator.
- Long-press on the app you want to customize until the app icons start to jiggle.
- Tap on the app’s existing icon, select “Choose Photo,” and then choose your custom icon from your photo library.
- Once you’ve replaced the app icon, you can move it to your desired location on the home screen.
Repeat these steps for each app you want to customize, and you’ll have a beautifully cohesive home screen with personalized app icons.
Organize Apps into Customized Widgets
iOS 14 also introduced widgets that can be customized and added to your home screen. To organize apps into customized widgets, follow these steps:
- Long-press on the home screen until the apps start to jiggle.
- Tap the “+” button at the top left corner of the screen.
- Scroll through the widget options and choose the one that suits your needs.
- Select the size of the widget and tap “Add Widget.”
- Once added, you can tap on the widget to customize it further and select the apps you want to include.
By organizing your apps into customized widgets, you can access your most-used apps or important information with just a glance.
Customize App Library Appearance
The App Library is a new feature on iOS 14 that automatically organizes your apps into categorized folders. While the App Library cannot be fully customized, you can adjust its appearance by following these steps:
- Go to the home screen of your iPhone and swipe left to access the App Library.
- Long-press on any app until it jiggles.
- Tap on the “Edit Home Screen” button at the top.
- You can now remove apps from the home screen by tapping the “-” button on the app icons.
- You can also drag and drop apps to change their positions on the home screen.
With the ability to customize the appearance of the App Library, you can ensure that your most-used apps are easily accessible.
With iOS 14, Apple has made significant strides in allowing users to personalize and customize their home screens. By setting a custom wallpaper, creating custom app icons, organizing apps into customized widgets, and customizing the App Library appearance, you can make your iPhone truly reflect your individual style. So go ahead, unleash your creativity, and customize your home screen to make it uniquely yours!
Set a Custom Wallpaper
One of the first steps to customizing your home screen on iOS 14 is setting a custom wallpaper. This simple yet effective method can instantly transform the look and feel of your device.
To begin, find a wallpaper that suits your style and aesthetic preferences. You can choose from the ones available in the iOS settings or download your own from various websites or apps. Make sure the wallpaper you select is compatible with iOS 14.
To set a custom wallpaper, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on “Wallpaper” and then select “Choose a New Wallpaper”.
- Choose whether you want to select a wallpaper from your photo library or from the available options.
- Select the image you want to use as your wallpaper.
- Adjust the positioning and scaling of the image if needed.
- Tap “Set” and choose whether you want the wallpaper to be applied to the home screen, lock screen, or both.
- Finally, tap “Set Wallpaper” to confirm.
Once you have set your custom wallpaper, you’ll notice an immediate visual change to your home screen. The colors and elements of the wallpaper will influence the overall appearance of your device, creating a personalized and unique look.
Remember, you can always change your wallpaper whenever you feel like giving your home screen a fresh new look. Experiment with different wallpapers to find the one that best reflects your style and personality.
Create Custom App Icons
iOS 14 introduced a game-changing feature that allows users to create custom app icons for a personalized home screen experience. With this feature, you can have your apps adorned with unique icons that reflect your style and personality. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create custom app icons on iOS 14:
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Choose the app for which you want to create a custom icon. It can be any app you have installed on your iPhone.
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Open the Shortcuts app on your device. If you don’t have it installed, you can download it from the App Store.
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Tap on the “+” icon at the top right corner of the screen to create a new shortcut.
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In the search bar, type the name of the app you want to customize. Once you find it, tap on it to select it.
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Tap on the three dots (…) at the top right corner of the screen to open the shortcut settings.
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Select “Add to Home Screen” from the list of options.
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On the “New Shortcut” page, tap on the icon next to the shortcut name.
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You will be presented with various options to choose the icon for your app. You can select from the default icons provided, choose a photo from your gallery, or even search for custom icons available online.
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Once you’ve selected the desired icon, tap on “Choose” at the top right corner of the screen.
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On the “New Shortcut” page, tap on “Add” at the top right corner.
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Now, go back to your home screen, and you’ll find the new custom app icon on your desired location. You can drag and place it wherever you like.
By following these simple steps, you can create custom app icons for any app you have installed on your iPhone. This allows you to customize your home screen to match your unique style and preferences.
Keep in mind that creating custom app icons using the Shortcuts app doesn’t replace the original app. Instead, it creates a shortcut to the app with a custom icon. This means that when you tap on the custom icon, it will open the corresponding app.
So, go ahead and give your home screen a fresh new look with personalized custom app icons on iOS 14!
Organize Apps into Customized Widgets
One of the exciting new features in iOS 14 is the ability to organize your apps into customized widgets. Widgets provide a quick glance at relevant information or allow easy access to frequently used apps. With the new iOS update, you can personalize your home screen with widgets that suit your needs and style. Here’s how you can make the most out of this feature:
1. Adding Widgets
To get started, long-press on the home screen or an empty space and tap the “+” icon in the top left corner. This will open the widget gallery. Browse through the available widget options and choose the one that best fits your needs. Tap on the widget to preview its different sizes.
2. Customizing Widget Appearance
Once you have selected a widget, you can customize its appearance by tapping the “Edit Widget” button. This will allow you to choose the size, layout, and content of the widget. Some widgets offer different display modes or multiple configurations, providing flexibility in how the information is presented.
3. Placing Widgets on the Home Screen
After customizing the widget, you can place it on your home screen by dragging and dropping it to the desired location. The widgets can be moved and resized just like app icons. You can also stack multiple widgets to save space and swipe through them for easy access. To create a stack, simply drag one widget on top of another and iOS will automatically create a stack.
4. Smart Stack and Siri Suggestions
iOS 14 introduces the Smart Stack, which is a dynamic widget that uses machine learning to predict which widget you may need at a specific time of the day. Siri Suggestions will automatically suggest relevant widgets based on your app usage patterns. These intelligent widgets can be added to your home screen for quick and easy access to the information you need most.
5. Personalizing Widget Content
Many widgets offer the option to personalize their content, allowing you to choose what information is displayed. For example, weather widgets can show the current temperature or a 7-day forecast. Calendar widgets can display upcoming events or reminders. To customize the content, simply tap on the widget and select the desired options.
6. Removing Widgets
If you no longer need a widget on your home screen, you can easily remove it. Just long-press on the widget and select “Remove widget” from the menu that appears. The widget will be removed, and you can place any other widget or app icon in its place.
By organizing your apps into customized widgets, you can create a personalized and efficient home screen that provides quick access to the information that matters to you. Take advantage of the new iOS 14 features and make your home screen truly your own.
Customize App Library Appearance
With the introduction of iOS 14, Apple has revamped the way we organize and access our apps on our iPhones. The App Library is a helpful feature that automatically groups similar apps into categories, making it easier to navigate and find the apps we need. But did you know that you can also customize the appearance of your App Library? Here are a few ways to personalize your App Library and make it your own.
Organize Apps into Folders
One of the easiest ways to customize your App Library is by creating folders to organize your apps. To do this, simply press and hold on an app icon until it starts jiggling, then drag it onto another app icon to create a folder. You can then rename the folder and add more apps to it by dragging and dropping them.
By organizing your apps into folders based on categories or themes, you can quickly access the apps you need without scrolling through multiple pages of icons. For example, you can create a folder for social media apps, another for productivity apps, and so on. This will help streamline your app usage and keep your home screen clutter-free.
Hide Unused Apps
If you have apps that you rarely use or prefer to keep hidden from your home screen, you can easily hide them in the App Library. To do this, go to your home screen and swipe right until you reach the App Library. Locate the app you want to hide, press and hold on its icon, and select “Remove App” from the pop-up menu. This will remove the app from your home screen and place it in the App Library.
By hiding unused apps, you can declutter your home screen and focus on the apps that you use frequently. You can always access hidden apps by swiping right to the App Library and searching for them or browsing through their respective categories.
Customize App Library Categories
By default, the App Library automatically categorizes your apps into different sections based on their usage. However, you can customize these categories to better suit your preferences. To do this, go to the App Library by swiping right on your home screen and then scroll to the bottom of the page.
Tap on “Edit” and you will see a list of categories that are currently displayed in your App Library. You can add or remove categories by toggling the switches next to each option. You can also rearrange the order of the categories by dragging the three horizontal lines on the right side of each category name.
By customizing the categories in your App Library, you can ensure that the most relevant apps are easily accessible and organized according to your needs and preferences.
Customizing the appearance of your App Library is a great way to personalize your iPhone and improve your overall user experience. Whether it’s organizing apps into folders, hiding unused apps, or customizing categories, iOS 14 gives you the flexibility to make your App Library your own. Take some time to explore these customization options and find the setup that works best for you!
Conclusion
In conclusion, customizing the home screen on iOS 14 has opened up a whole new level of personalization and creativity for iPhone users. The introduction of widgets, App Library, and the ability to create custom app icons have given users the freedom to truly make their iPhone home screens their own.
Whether you want to organize your apps in a more efficient way, showcase your favorite widgets, or simply add a touch of personality to your device, the options are endless. The process of customizing your home screen may seem daunting at first, but with a little time and experimentation, you’ll be able to achieve the home screen of your dreams.
Remember to take advantage of the various customization options available, experiment with different widget combinations, and explore the endless array of app icons and themes. With a bit of creativity and personalization, your iPhone home screen will become a reflection of your unique style and preferences.
So, go ahead and start customizing your home screen on iOS 14 today. Make your iPhone truly yours and enjoy a personalized and visually appealing user experience.
FAQs
1. Can I customize the home screen on iOS 14?
Yes, iOS 14 introduced the ability to customize your home screen with widgets and app icons.
2. How do I add widgets to my home screen on iOS 14?
To add widgets to your home screen on iOS 14, simply long-press on the home screen and tap on the “+” button in the top-left corner. From there, you can browse and select from a variety of widgets to add to your home screen.
3. Can I change the size and position of widgets on my home screen?
Yes, you can customize the size and position of widgets on your home screen. After adding a widget, long-press on it until it enters the edit mode. Then, you can resize and rearrange the widget as desired by using the handles around it.
4. How do I create custom app icons on iOS 14?
To create custom app icons on iOS 14, you’ll need to use a third-party app. There are several apps available on the App Store that allow you to create custom icons and customize the look of your apps. Simply download and install one of these apps, follow the instructions provided, and you’ll be able to create and apply custom app icons.
5. Can I revert back to the original home screen layout?
Yes, if you decide to revert back to the original home screen layout on iOS 14, you can simply remove the added widgets and restore the default app icons. To remove a widget, long-press on it and tap on the “Remove Widget” option. To restore the default app icons, long-press on any app icon until they start wiggling, then tap on the “x” button that appears on the app icons you want to remove.
