Want your iPhone home screen to look cleaner, more aesthetic, or totally custom? Apple finally makes it easy to edit app icons on iPhone—whether you want custom images, color-matched themes, or cleaner layouts.
This guide covers every working method to change app icons on iPhone, including with and without Shortcuts, plus icon size customization tips.
Quick Answer (Featured Snippet)
You can edit app icons on iPhone using the Shortcuts app, iOS icon tinting, or third-party icon packs. Apple does not allow direct icon replacement inside apps, but workarounds are fully supported.
Method 1: How to Change Your App Icons With Shortcut (Official Apple Way)
This is the most popular and reliable method.
Steps:
- Open the Shortcuts app
- Tap + → Add Action
- Choose Open App
- Select the app you want
- Tap the (i) or dropdown → Add to Home Screen
- Choose a custom image or emoji
- Name the app and tap Add
You’ve now successfully used How to change your app icons with shortcut—the Apple-approved method.
Pros & Cons
✔ Full customization
✔ Works on all modern iPhones
❌ Adds a shortcut launch animation
Method 2: How to Change App Icons iPhone Without Shortcuts (iOS 18+)
Apple introduced limited native icon customization in newer iOS versions.
What You Can Do:
- Change icon color tint
- Match icons with wallpaper
- Apply system-wide themes
Steps:
- Long-press the Home Screen
- Tap Edit → Customize
- Choose Light, Dark, or Tinted
- Adjust color tone
⚠️ This method does not allow replacing icons with images, but it answers how to change app icons iPhone without shortcuts for users who want speed and simplicity.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Icon Packs (Advanced Look)
Apps like Canva and themed icon packs provide ready-made icon sets.
How It Works:
- Download icon pack
- Save icons to Photos
- Apply icons via Shortcuts
Many creators also use AI tools to design icons. If you’re editing visuals, this guide can help:
👉 https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-ask-chatgpt-to-edit-a-photo-best-prompts-that-actually-work
How to Change App Icon Size in iPhone (What’s Possible)
Apple does not allow manual resizing of individual app icons, but here’s what you can do:
Options That Work:
- Switch to Large App Icons (Home Screen settings)
- Remove app names for cleaner look
- Use widgets for visual balance
Steps:
- Long-press Home Screen
- Tap Edit → Customize
- Select Large Icons
This is currently the only supported way to influence how to change app icon size in iPhone.
Bonus Tip: Hide Old Icons After Customization
After creating custom icons:
- Move original apps to App Library
- Hide entire Home Screen pages
- Use Focus Mode for clean layouts
Common Problems & Fixes
If custom icons:
- Don’t open → Recreate shortcut
- Flash briefly → This is normal
- Stop responding → Restart iPhone
If your iPhone is acting strangely or stuck in SOS mode, check this guide:
👉 https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-fix-the-sos-on-my-iphone-complete-step-by-step-guide
And if you’re recording tutorials while customizing icons, here’s how to stop recording fast:
👉 https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-stop-screen-recording-on-iphone-12-to-iphone-16-without-swiping-up
Short FAQs (AI Overview Optimized)
Can I edit app icons directly on iPhone?
No. Apple doesn’t allow direct icon replacement inside apps.
What’s the best way to change app icons?
Using the Shortcuts app provides full customization.
Can I change app icons without Shortcuts?
Yes, but only color and theme changes—not custom images.
Does this work on iOS 18?
Yes. All methods work on iOS 17 and iOS 18.
Conclusion
Learning how to edit app icons on iPhone gives you full control over your home screen style. Whether you want full customization using Shortcuts, quick color changes without shortcuts, or better spacing with large icons, Apple offers flexible options.
Once you try it, your iPhone will feel brand new.