Changing icons on the iPhone with Shortcuts has become quite popular among iPhone users. With the ability to customize the look of your home screen, you can add a personal touch to your iPhone and make it uniquely yours. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to change icons on iPhone using Shortcuts. We will also discuss the reasons why you may want to customize your iPhone icons and provide some bonus tips to enhance your customization experience.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Customize Your iPhone Icons
Customizing your iPhone icons allows you to express your personality and style. It gives you the ability to create a visually pleasing home screen that reflects your taste and preferences. Whether you want to create a minimalist look, a vibrant and colorful theme, or something completely unique, changing icons with Shortcuts can help you achieve that.
Moreover, customizing your iPhone icons can also improve productivity and organization. With custom icons, you can easily identify and locate your most-used apps on your home screen. This can save you time and reduce the clutter that comes with having multiple app icons on your screen.
Another reason why you may want to customize your iPhone icons is to create a cohesive aesthetic. By selecting icons that match a specific theme or color scheme, you can create a visually pleasing and harmonious home screen. This can enhance the overall user experience and make using your iPhone a delight.
Method 1: Changing Icons via the Shortcuts App
One of the easiest ways to change icons on your iPhone is by using the Shortcuts app. This method allows you to create custom shortcuts with personalized icons for your favorite apps. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the “+” button to create a new shortcut.
3. Tap the “Add Action” button.
4. Search for and select the “Open App” action.
5. Tap the “Choose” button to select the app you want to change the icon for.
6. Tap the three dots (…) next to the shortcut name to open the settings.
7. Tap the current icon to change it.
8. You can either choose from the available default icons or tap the “Choose File” button to upload a custom icon from your photo library.
9. Once you have selected an icon, tap the “Done” button.
10. Tap the “Add to Home Screen” option.
11. Enter a name for your shortcut and tap the icon to customize it further.
12. Choose either “Take Photo” or “Choose Photo” to set a custom icon from your photo library.
13. Adjust the icon placement and size, then tap the “Add” button.
14. Finally, tap the “Done” button to save your shortcut.
Pros:
1. Easy and intuitive process to change icons.
2. Allows you to personalize your home screen with custom icons.
3. Provides a wide range of default icons to choose from.
Cons:
1. Changing icons for multiple apps can be time-consuming.
2. Limited customization options for creating custom icons.
3. Icons created with Shortcuts are shortcuts to apps and not actual app icons.
Method 2: Changing Icons via Third-Party Apps
If you want more customization options and a hassle-free experience, you can use third-party apps to change icons on your iPhone. There are several apps available on the App Store that provide a wide range of icon packs and customization features. Here’s how you can change icons using a third-party app:
1. Download and install a third-party app such as “Icon Themer” or “Widgetsmith” from the App Store.
2. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to grant necessary permissions.
3. Browse through the available icon packs and select the one you like.
4. Tap the app icon you want to change and follow the app’s instructions to apply the custom icon.
5. Repeat the process for other app icons you want to customize.
Pros:
1. Provides a wide range of customization options and icon packs.
2. Easy and convenient to use.
3. Some apps offer additional features like custom widgets and wallpapers.
Cons:
1. Requires downloading and installing a third-party app.
2. Some apps may have limited free options and require in-app purchases for premium features.
3. Changes made with third-party apps may not persist after software updates.
Method 3: Changing Icons via Shortcuts and Photos
Another method to change icons on your iPhone is by utilizing the Shortcuts app and the Photos app. This method allows you to create custom icons using images from your photo library. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Find and select the image you want to use as your custom icon.
3. Tap the Share button and select “Add to Home Screen.”
4. Enter a name for your shortcut and tap the icon to customize it further.
5. Choose either “Take Photo” or “Choose Photo” to set a custom icon from your photo library.
6. Adjust the icon placement and size, then tap the “Add” button.
7. Finally, tap the “Add” button to save your shortcut.
Pros:
1. Allows you to create custom icons using your own images.
2. Utilizes the Shortcuts app, making it easy to set up.
3. Offers endless possibilities for customization.
Cons:
1. Changing icons for multiple apps can be time-consuming.
2. Limited customization options within the Photos app.
3. Icons created with this method are shortcuts to apps and not actual app icons.
Method 4: Changing Icons via Icon Packs
If you don’t want to use Shortcuts or third-party apps, you can change icons on your iPhone using pre-made icon packs. These icon packs provide a wide range of beautifully designed icons that you can easily apply to your apps. Here’s how you can change icons using icon packs:
1. Search for and download an icon pack from the App Store.
2. Open the icon pack app and follow the on-screen instructions to grant necessary permissions.
3. Select the app you want to change the icon for.
4. Choose the desired icon from the icon pack.
5. Follow the app’s instructions to apply the custom icon.
6. Repeat the process for other app icons you want to customize.
Pros:
1. Saves time compared to creating custom icons from scratch.
2. Provides a wide range of professionally designed icons.
3. Easy to use with step-by-step instructions.
Cons:
1. Requires downloading and installing an additional app.
2. Limited customization options compared to creating custom icons.
3. Changes made with icon packs may not persist after software updates.
What to Do If You Can’t Change Icons
If you encounter any issues while trying to change icons on your iPhone, here are some potential fixes:
1. Restart your iPhone: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor software glitches.
2. Update your iPhone: Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS, as older software versions may not support certain customization features.
3. Check app compatibility: Not all apps may be compatible with icon customization. Double-check if the app you want to change the icon for supports this feature.
4. Try alternative methods: If one method doesn’t work, try another method mentioned in this blog post.
5. Contact app developers: If you’re having trouble with a specific app, reach out to the app’s developers for assistance.
Bonus Tips
Here are some bonus tips to enhance your iPhone icon customization experience:
1. Use icon packs with a consistent theme: To create a cohesive look for your home screen, select icon packs that follow a specific theme or aesthetic. This will give your home screen a more polished and professional appearance.
2. Organize your apps: Take advantage of the customization options available with Shortcuts or third-party apps to create folders or groups of apps with similar icons. This can help you keep your home screen organized and easy to navigate.
3. Create custom widgets: Many icon customization apps also offer custom widget options. Use these widgets to further enhance the visual appeal and functionality of your iPhone’s home screen.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I change icons for system apps like Settings or Messages?
A1: Unfortunately, changing icons for system apps is not officially supported by Apple. However, you can create shortcuts with custom icons using the Shortcuts app and place them on your home screen for quick access.
Q2: Will changing icons affect app functionality or updates?
A2: No, changing icons will not affect the functionality of the apps or their ability to receive updates. The custom icons are simply shortcuts to the original apps and do not alter the app’s core functionality.
Q3: Can I change icons on older iPhones?
A3: Yes, you can change icons on older iPhones as long as they are running iOS 14 or later, which introduced the ability to add custom icons with the Shortcuts app.
Q4: Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to change icons?
A4: No, you do not need to jailbreak your iPhone to change icons using the methods mentioned in this blog post. All the methods can be accomplished using official Apple features and apps.
Q5: Will changing icons impact my battery life?
A5: Changing icons will not have a direct impact on your iPhone’s battery life. However, using intensive customization features or third-party apps may consume additional system resources, which can indirectly affect battery life.
Final Thoughts
Customizing your iPhone icons can be a fun and creative way to personalize your device. Whether you choose to use Shortcuts, third-party apps, or a combination of methods, changing icons with Shortcuts offers endless possibilities for customization. Remember to choose a method that suits your preferences and explore different icon packs and themes to create a unique and visually pleasing home screen. Happy customizing!