You can rename apps on your iPhone home screen without changing the app itself
When you rename an app on your iPhone, you are only changing the label that appears below the icon on your home screen. The app itself stays the same—it still opens the same way, receives the same updates, and works exactly as before. Apple added this feature so you can organize your apps in ways that make sense to you, whether that means shortening long names, using nicknames, or grouping related apps under similar labels.
The process takes about 30 seconds and works on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later. You do not need to connect to a computer, read anything, or change any settings. You straightforward press and hold the app icon, choose a rename option, and type what you want.
Key Takeaways
- Renaming an app changes only the label on your home screen, not the app's function or how it updates.
- Press and hold any app icon, tap "Rename" from the menu, and type the new name you want.
- You can use any characters you want, including spaces, numbers, and emoji.
- If you change your mind, you can rename the app back to its original name or to something else at any time.
- Renaming works on the home screen and in the App Library, but the change appears in both places automatically.
How to rename an app using the home screen menu
Find the app you want to rename on your home screen. Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears with several options. You will see choices like "Remove App," "Add to Home Screen," and "Rename." Tap "Rename."
A text field will appear with the app's current name highlighted. Delete the existing text and type the new name you want. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and emoji. When you are done typing, tap "Rename" at the bottom right of the keyboard or straightforward tap outside the text field. The change takes effect when ready.
Renaming apps in the App Library
You can also rename apps from the App Library, which is the last screen you see when you swipe all the way to the right on your home screen. Swipe to the App Library and find the app you want to rename. Press and hold its icon and tap "Rename" from the menu.
The process is identical to renaming from the home screen. Type the new name and tap "Rename." The new name will appear both on your home screen (if the app is there) and in the App Library. If you have the same app on multiple home screen pages, the name changes everywhere.
What happens when you rename an app
The app's internal name does not change. When you open the app, its interface, settings, and data all remain exactly the same. The app will still receive updates from the App Store under its original name, and you will not see any difference in how it works.
If you search for the app using Spotlight (swipe down from the top of your home screen and type), you can search by either the original name or the new name you gave it. This means if you rename "Messages" to "Texts," searching for either word will find it.
Renaming apps back to their original names
If you want to undo a rename and go back to the app's original name, press and hold the app icon again and tap "Rename." Delete your custom name and type the original name, or straightforward delete everything and tap "Rename"—the app will revert to its default name.
You can also rename an app to something completely different whenever you want. There is no limit to how many times you can change it, and no setting you need to adjust to allow it.
Tips for organizing apps with custom names
Some people rename apps to make them easier to find at a glance. For example, you might rename "Apple Maps" to "Maps" to match the shorter name you use when talking about it, or rename "Settings" to "⚙️ Settings" to add a visual marker. You can use emoji to create visual categories—renaming all your social apps with a 📱 prefix, for instance.
Another approach is to rename apps to match a system you use for organizing your home screen. If you group apps by function, you might rename "Stocks" to "📊 Finance" and "Notes" to "📝 Finance" so they sit together alphabetically and visually. The names you choose are entirely up to you and can change whenever your needs do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rename an app to something with special characters or emoji?
Yes. You can use any characters your keyboard supports, including emoji, numbers, punctuation, and spaces. The only limit is the length of the text field, which allows quite a bit of text before cutting off.
Will renaming an app affect my data or settings inside it?
No. Renaming only changes the label on your home screen. All your data, messages, photos, accounts, and settings inside the app stay exactly the same. The app works identically whether it is named "Messages" or "Texts."
What if I rename an app and then update it from the App Store?
The app updates normally. Your custom name stays in place after the update. The app's internal name does not change, so updates find and install the correct version.
Can I rename apps that came with my iPhone?
Yes. You can rename any app on your iPhone, including built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos, and Settings. The process is the same as renaming any other app.
If I delete an app and reinstall it, will it keep the custom name?
No. When you delete an app and reinstall it, it reverts to its original name. You will need to rename it again if you want to use your custom name.