What you can actually change on iPhone app icons
iPhone does not let you change the color of built-in app icons directly through Settings. Apple locks the appearance of Mail, Calendar, Photos, and other system apps. However, you can change how third-party apps look on your home screen using Shortcuts — a built-in iPhone tool that creates custom icons with colors you choose. You can also use Focus modes to hide apps, or switch to a different launcher app from the App Store that offers more visual control.
The most common method is creating a Shortcut that opens an app but displays a custom-colored icon instead. This takes about two minutes per app and works on iPhone 12 and later. Older iPhones can use Focus modes or third-party launchers, though those have different limitations.
Key Takeaways
- Built-in iPhone apps like Mail and Calendar cannot have their icon colors changed through Settings — only third-party apps can be customized.
- The Shortcuts app lets you create a custom icon in any color that opens a third-party app, replacing the original icon on your home screen.
- Focus modes can hide specific apps from view, which is useful if you want to change which apps are visible rather than their colors.
- Third-party launcher apps from the App Store offer icon packs and color themes, though they run as a separate layer over your home screen.
Using Shortcuts to create custom-colored app icons
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (it comes pre-installed). Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select the app you want to customize — for example, Spotify or Instagram.
Once the action is added, tap the circle icon at the top of the screen. Choose "Choose Color" and pick the color you want. You can also tap "Choose Photo" to use an image as the icon background. Give the shortcut a name that matches the app (like "Spotify") so you remember what it does. Tap "Done" and then the three dots in the top right, then "Add to Home Screen". The custom icon will appear on your home screen and open the app when tapped.
You can now delete or hide the original app icon. The shortcut icon will work identically to the real app — it opens the same app, shows notifications, and syncs the same way. The only difference is the appearance.
Changing icon colors with Focus modes
Focus modes let you hide apps from your home screen based on what you are doing. Open Settings, then tap Focus. Create a new Focus (tap the plus icon) and name it something like "Work" or "Personal". Add the apps you want to hide by tapping "Add" under "Apps".
When you turn on that Focus, those apps disappear from your home screen. This does not change their color, but it changes which apps you see. You can create multiple Focuses and switch between them throughout the day. This is useful if you want different sets of apps visible at different times, rather than changing colors themselves.
Using third-party launcher apps
Apps like Launcher, Homescreen, and Pastel sit on top of your iPhone home screen and let you organize apps with custom colors and themes. read one from the App Store, open it, and follow the setup steps. Most let you create folders or grids of app shortcuts with colors you choose.
The trade-off is that these apps create an extra step — you tap the launcher app first, then tap the app you want inside it. They do not replace your home screen entirely; they sit alongside it. Some offer icon packs you can read, which bundle pre-made colored icons for popular apps. Check the reviews and screenshots before downloading, because quality and speed vary widely.
Why Apple limits icon customization
Apple restricts direct color changes to system apps because it wants a consistent look across all iPhones. Allowing users to change Mail or Calendar colors could make the interface confusing or harder to recognize at a glance. Third-party apps have more freedom because they are not part of the core system.
This is also why Shortcuts works — it is technically creating a new icon that points to an app, rather than changing the app's own icon. The original app remains unchanged; you are just adding a shortcut with a different appearance on top of it.
Limitations and what does not work
You cannot change the color of system apps like Mail, Messages, Phone, or Settings without using a Shortcut. Shortcuts only work on iPhone 12 and later — older models do not support custom home screen icons. If you use an older iPhone, third-party launchers are your main option.
Changing an app icon with a Shortcut does not change the app's badge notifications or the color of its notification badges. The app itself still looks the same everywhere except on your home screen. If you delete the Shortcut, the custom icon disappears, though the original app remains on your phone.
Step-by-step: Creating your first custom icon
Open Shortcuts and tap the plus icon. Search for and tap "Open App". Select the app you want to customize. Tap the circle icon at the top and choose "Choose Color". Pick your color. Tap "Done".
Name the shortcut to match the app name. Tap the three dots in the top right corner. Tap "Add to Home Screen". Choose an icon size and tap "Add". Your custom icon now appears on your home screen. You can delete the original app icon by long-pressing it and tapping "Remove from Home Screen" (this hides it, not the app itself).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of built-in apps like Mail or Calendar?
No, Apple does not allow direct color changes to system apps through Settings. You can create a Shortcut with a custom color that opens Mail or Calendar, but the original app icon will still appear in your app library. The Shortcut method is the closest workaround.
Will a custom icon created in Shortcuts work the same as the real app?
Yes. The Shortcut opens the actual app, so notifications, syncing, and all features work identically. The only difference is the icon appearance on your home screen. Tapping the Shortcut is the same as tapping the app itself.
What iPhones support custom home screen icons?
iPhone 12 and later support custom Shortcuts icons. Older iPhones can use third-party launcher apps instead, though they work differently — you tap the launcher app first, then select the app you want inside it.
If I delete a Shortcut, does the app get deleted too?
No. Deleting a Shortcut only removes the custom icon from your home screen. The original app stays on your phone and in your app library. You can recreate the Shortcut anytime.
Can I use a photo as a custom app icon?
Yes. When creating a Shortcut, tap the circle icon and choose "Choose Photo" instead of "Choose Color". You can use any photo from your library. The photo will be cropped to fit the icon shape.