/ How to

How to Customize the Home Screen on Your iPhone

Key Takeaways

  • Customizing your iPhone’s Home Screen allows you to personalize your device and organize apps in a way that suits your needs.
  • You can create custom app icons, add widgets, change wallpapers, and rearrange apps on different Home Screen pages.
  • iOS offers various built-in customization options, and third-party apps provide even more ways to make your iPhone’s Home Screen truly unique.

Personalizing your iPhone’s Home Screen is a great way to make your device feel truly yours. With iOS’s built-in customization features and third-party apps, you can change app icons, add widgets, rearrange apps, and set unique wallpapers. This level of customization not only adds a personal touch but can also improve your productivity by organizing apps based on your usage patterns.

Changing App Icons

One of the most popular ways to customize your iPhone’s Home Screen is by changing the app icons. While iOS doesn’t allow you to directly edit an app’s icon, you can create a custom shortcut that opens the app with a different icon. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Shortcuts app and tap the “+” icon to create a new shortcut.
  2. Tap “Add Action” and search for “Open App.” Select the app you want to customize.
  3. Tap the three-dot menu icon next to “Open App” and select “Add to Home Screen.”
  4. Tap the icon preview and choose “Select Photo” to pick a custom image from your photo library or take a new picture.
  5. Optionally, you can rename the shortcut by tapping the text field below the icon.
  6. Tap “Add” to add the custom shortcut to your Home Screen.

You can repeat these steps for as many apps as you’d like. To keep your Home Screen organized, consider creating a dedicated page or folder for your custom app icons.

Adding Widgets

Widgets are small, interactive elements that provide quick access to information and functionality from various apps. With iOS 14 and later, you can add widgets directly to your Home Screen pages. Here’s how:

  1. Long-press on an empty area of your Home Screen to enter “jiggle mode.”
  2. Tap the “+” icon in the top-left corner.
  3. Scroll through the widget gallery and tap on the widget you want to add.
  4. Swipe left or right to choose the widget size, then tap “Add Widget.”
  5. Drag the widget to your desired location and tap “Done” when finished.

You can also create a “Smart Stack” by dragging one widget on top of another. This stack will automatically surface the most relevant widget based on your usage patterns and time of day.

Changing Wallpapers

A fresh wallpaper can instantly transform the look and feel of your iPhone’s Home Screen. iOS offers a wide range of built-in wallpapers, and you can also use your own photos. Here’s how to change your wallpaper:

  1. Go to Settings > Wallpaper.
  2. Tap “Choose a New Wallpaper.”
  3. Select from the available options: Featured Photos, Colors, Stills, Live Photos, or your own Photo Library.
  4. Once you’ve chosen a wallpaper, you can adjust its size and position using pinch and drag gestures.
  5. Tap “Set” and choose whether to apply the wallpaper to your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or both.

Pro Tip: With iOS 16 and later, you can set different wallpapers for individual Home Screen pages by tapping the page dots at the bottom of the screen while in wiggle mode.

Rearranging Apps and Creating Folders

Keeping your apps organized can make it easier to find what you need quickly. You can rearrange apps on your Home Screen pages and create folders to group related apps together. Here’s how:

  1. Long-press on an empty area of your Home Screen to enter “jiggle mode.”
  2. Drag and drop apps to rearrange them on the same page or move them to a different page.
  3. To create a folder, drag one app on top of another app you want to group together.
  4. Tap the folder name field to rename the folder.
  5. Tap “Done” when finished.

You can also use the App Library to quickly find and launch apps without cluttering your Home Screen. Simply swipe left from the last Home Screen page to access the App Library.

Using Third-Party Apps

While iOS offers a variety of built-in customization options, third-party apps can take your Home Screen personalization to the next level. Here are a few popular apps to consider:

  • Widgetsmith: This app allows you to create custom widgets with various styles, colors, and data sources.
  • Icon Changer: Use this app to create custom app icons and shortcuts with a wide range of icon packs and your own images.
  • Launcher: This powerful app lets you create custom app launchers, folders, and widgets for a truly unique Home Screen experience.
  • Wallpaper Crafts: With this app, you can create custom wallpapers by combining images, text, and various design elements.

Remember, some third-party apps may require additional permissions or subscriptions to access all features.

Customizing your iPhone’s Home Screen is a fun and creative way to make your device truly yours. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or a vibrant, personalized experience, iOS offers plenty of options to explore. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the setup that works best for your needs and preferences.

Related Posts