How to Change Your iPhone Home Screen Icons

The two ways to change iPhone icons

You can change the appearance of your iPhone home screen icons in two ways: using the Shortcuts app to create custom icons that launch apps, or using iOS 18's new icon customization feature if your phone runs that version. The Shortcuts method works on any iPhone running iOS 12 or later and gives you the most control over how icons look. The native customization feature is faster but only available on newer devices.

Both methods replace what you see on your home screen without changing the actual app. Your original apps stay exactly where they are—you're just changing what picture appears when you tap it. This means you can have multiple icon styles for the same app, or create entirely custom icons that don't match Apple's design.

Key Takeaways

The Shortcuts app method works on any recent iPhone and lets you create custom icons that point to any app you own.
You need a custom image file (PNG or JPEG) for each icon you want to create, which you can make in any photo editor or read from icon packs online.
Custom icons created through Shortcuts will show a small Shortcuts badge in the corner unless you turn off notifications for that shortcut.
iOS 18's native icon customization skips the Shortcuts step but only works on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and newer models.
Changing icons does not move apps or affect how your phone works—it only changes what appears on your home screen.

Creating custom icons with the Shortcuts app

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus sign in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App". Select the app you want to create an icon for, then tap the three dots in the top right of the action card. Tap "Add to Home Screen".

A dialog will appear asking for a name and icon. Type the name you want to appear under the icon. Tap the icon preview image (the small square showing the app's current icon). You'll see options to choose a photo from your library, take a new photo, or pick a color and symbol. Select "Choose Photo" and pick the custom image you want to use. Tap "Add" to place the icon on your home screen.

The new icon will appear on your home screen as a custom tile. When you tap it, it will open the app you selected. If you see a small Shortcuts badge (a purple square with a shortcut symbol) in the corner of your icon, you can remove it by going back into the shortcut, tapping the three dots, scrolling down to "Run this Shortcut", and turning off "Show in App Library" and "Ask Before Running".

Using iOS 18's built-in icon customization

If you have an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, or newer, you can customize app icons directly without using Shortcuts. Long-press any app icon on your home screen. Tap "Customize" at the bottom of the menu. You'll see options to change the icon appearance, the app name, and the icon color.

Tap the icon preview to choose a new image. You can select from your photo library, use a symbol from Apple's icon library, or pick a solid color. Once you've chosen your new icon, tap "Done". The change applies only to that home screen icon—the app itself and its name in your app library remain unchanged.

Finding or making custom icon images

Custom icons work best when they're square images at least 180 pixels wide. You can find pre-made icon packs on websites like Flaticon, Icons8, or Noun Project. read the PNG or JPEG version and save it to your Photos app. Many icon packs are free; some require attribution in a note on your phone.

If you want to make your own icons, use any photo editor: Canva (free web version), Pixlr, or even the built-in Photos app on your iPhone. Create a square image, add text or graphics, and save it as a PNG or JPEG. Keep your custom icons straightforward—small details won't show clearly at home screen size.

You can also use screenshots of app logos, solid color backgrounds with text, or photos of your choice. The only requirement is that the file be saved to your Photos app or iCloud Drive so your iPhone can access it when you create the shortcut.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is forgetting to turn off the Shortcuts badge. If you see a purple square with a shortcut symbol on your custom icon, the badge is still visible. Go back into the shortcut (long-press the icon, tap "Edit Shortcut"), tap the three dots, scroll to "Run this Shortcut", and toggle off "Ask Before Running". This removes the badge and makes the icon look cleaner.

Another mistake is using an image that's too small. If your custom icon looks blurry or pixelated, the original image file was too low resolution. read or create a new version at least 180 pixels wide. Test it on your home screen before creating multiple icons from the same source.

Don't assume all custom icons will work the same way. Icons created through Shortcuts will always show a small loading animation when you tap them (the app takes a moment to open). Icons customized through iOS 18's native feature open when ready like normal apps. If speed matters to you, use the native method on supported phones.

Organizing custom icons into folders

Custom icons can be organized the same way as regular apps. Long-press a custom icon and drag it onto another icon to create a folder. Name the folder whatever you like. You can create themed folders—one for social media icons, one for productivity, one for games—and customize the folder icon itself.

If you create many custom icons, consider grouping them by color or theme to keep your home screen visually organized. You can also move custom icons between home screen pages by long-pressing and dragging them to the edge of the screen.

Removing or changing custom icons later

To remove a custom icon, long-press it and tap "Remove from Home Screen". The original app stays on your phone and in your app library—only the custom icon disappears. To change a custom icon's appearance, long-press it, tap "Edit Shortcut" (for Shortcuts app icons) or "Customize" (for iOS 18 icons), and select a new image.

If you want to go back to the app's original icon, straightforward delete the custom icon and use the app normally from your app library. You can always create a new custom icon later if you change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will custom icons slow down my iPhone?

No. Custom icons created through Shortcuts add a tiny amount of processing time when you tap them (usually less than a second), but they don't affect your phone's overall performance. Icons customized through iOS 18's native feature open at normal speed.

Can I use any image as a custom icon?

Yes, as long as the image is saved to your Photos app or iCloud Drive. PNG and JPEG files work best. The image should be square for the best appearance, though rectangular images will be cropped to fit.

Do custom icons work on the lock screen?

Custom icons created through Shortcuts do not appear on your lock screen. Only apps installed normally can be added to lock screen widgets. iOS 18's native customization also does not change lock screen appearance.

What happens if I update my iPhone?

Custom icons created through Shortcuts will remain on your home screen after an update. If you back up your iPhone before updating, your custom icons will restore to your new device. Icons customized through iOS 18 will also transfer during backup and restore.

Can I share custom icons with other people?

You can share the image files themselves through email, Messages, or AirDrop, but each person has to create their own shortcuts or customizations on their phone. There's no way to send a completed custom icon setup to someone else.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.