The fastest way to change icon colors on iPhone
You can change the color of your iPhone icons using the Shortcuts app, which lets you create custom colored icons that replace the originals on your home screen. The process involves making a shortcut that opens an app, then assigning a custom icon and color to that shortcut. This works on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later.
The colored icon you create sits on your home screen instead of the real app icon, but tapping it opens the app normally. You can make each icon a different color, or keep them all the same. The real app stays in your app library unchanged.
Key Takeaways
- You create custom colored icons using the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone.
- Each custom icon is actually a shortcut that opens an app, so the real app icon remains unchanged in your app library.
- You can pick any color you want and choose from preset icon shapes or upload your own image.
- The process takes about two minutes per icon once you understand the steps.
Opening the Shortcuts app and creating a new shortcut
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you don't see it on your home screen, swipe left to open the app library, search for "Shortcuts," and tap it. Once inside, tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
A blank shortcut opens. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App." Tap the "Open App" action when it appears. Then tap "App" (the blue text) and choose which app you want to create a colored icon for. For example, if you want a colored Messages icon, tap Messages.
Assigning a custom color and icon to your shortcut
Once you've selected your app, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner of the shortcut editor. Tap "Add to Home Screen." A preview of your shortcut appears, showing the default app icon.
Tap the icon preview itself (the small image in the top left). You'll see options to choose a photo, take a photo, or use a preset icon. If you want a solid color, tap "Choose Photo," then swipe to the very right in the color picker and tap a solid color square. You can also tap the color picker icon to select any color you want.
After choosing your color or image, tap "Add" in the top right. Give your shortcut a name (like "Messages" or "Blue Messages") and tap "Add" again. The custom icon now appears on your home screen.
Using preset icons instead of solid colors
If you don't want a solid color, you can use one of Apple's preset icons. After tapping the icon preview, tap "Choose Photo," then scroll left past the color squares to see symbol icons like hearts, stars, circles, and app-related symbols. Tap any icon you like.
You can change the background color of the preset icon by tapping the color picker icon at the bottom of the screen. This lets you create a colored background behind a white symbol, or any other combination. Once you're happy with how it looks, tap "Add."
Uploading your own image as an icon
You can also use a photo from your camera roll as a custom icon. After tapping the icon preview, tap "Choose Photo" and select a photo from your library. The photo becomes your icon, and you can resize or move it around before tapping "Add."
This method works well if you want a specific image, emoji screenshot, or design you've created. Keep in mind that small details may not show clearly at icon size, so straightforward, bold images work better than complex ones.
Organizing and managing your custom icons
Your custom icons appear on your home screen like any other app. You can move them around by long-pressing and dragging, or organize them into folders. The original apps remain in your app library, so you're not replacing anything—you're just adding a shortcut to your home screen.
If you want to change a custom icon's color or image later, long-press the icon on your home screen, tap "Edit," then tap the icon preview again. You can update the color, image, or name without creating a new shortcut.
Troubleshooting common issues
If your custom icon doesn't open the app when you tap it, make sure you selected the correct app in the "Open App" action. If the icon looks blurry or distorted, try using a simpler image or a solid color instead. If the Shortcuts app isn't on your home screen, it's still installed—search for it in the app library.
Some older iPhones running iOS 13 or 14 may have slight differences in how the Shortcuts app looks, but the basic steps remain the same. If you're having trouble finding a specific option, check that you're running the latest version of iOS by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of my actual app icons without using shortcuts?
No. iOS doesn't have a built-in setting to change app icon colors directly. The Shortcuts method is the only way to get colored icons on your home screen. You could also use an icon pack app from the App Store, but those typically require setting up a custom launcher, which changes how your home screen works.
Will changing my icon colors affect how the app works?
No. The custom icon is just a shortcut that opens the real app. Everything inside the app works exactly the same. Your messages, emails, photos, and all your data remain unchanged.
Can I make all my icons the same color?
Yes. You can create a custom icon for any app you want, so you could make all your icons blue, or all of them a specific color. Just repeat the process for each app and choose the same color each time.
What happens to my custom icons if I update my iPhone?
Your custom icons stay on your home screen after an update. They're stored as shortcuts on your device, so they won't disappear. If you restore your iPhone from a backup, the shortcuts come back with the backup.
Can I share my custom colored icons with someone else?
Yes. You can long-press a custom icon, tap "Share," and send it to another person via Messages, email, or AirDrop. When they receive it, they can tap it to add the shortcut to their own home screen.