For the longest time, my iPhone home screen looked exactly like everyone else’s. Every time I unlocked it, I saw the same familiar icons, Instagram, WhatsApp, Safari, all in their default colors. It worked, but it never felt personal. Even with iOS 18’s tinted and dark icons, it still felt like a slightly different version of the same setup.
That’s when I decided to try something different. I started experimenting with custom app icons using the Shortcuts app, and honestly, it completely changed how my home screen feels. It’s still the same iPhone, but now it actually reflects my style.
What this Shortcuts trick actually does
This trick doesn’t replace your app icons at a system level. Instead, it creates a shortcut that opens an app and lets you assign a custom image to it.
Once added to your home screen, the shortcut looks like a regular app icon. The only difference is that when you tap it, there’s a brief moment where the Shortcuts app runs before opening the app.
After setting this up for multiple apps, your home screen starts to look completely different. Instead of a mix of default icons, everything follows a consistent style that feels intentional.
How to change app icons on iPhone using Shortcuts
Before starting, you’ll need custom icons. You can download these from icon packs, design websites, or even create your own. I found Pinterest surprisingly useful for this. It has tons of icon styles, and it’s easy to find sets that match a specific theme.
Once your icons are ready:
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap the + (Add) icon in the top right corner.
- Here, select the Open App action.
- Now tap App, then select the app you want to customize the icon for.
- Next, tap the dropdown arrow at the top center next to the shortcut’s name.
- Select the Add to Home Screen option in the drop-down menu.
- Rename the shortcut exactly how you want it to appear.
- Tap Image, then select Choose Photo.
- Select the downloaded app icon image you want to use, then tap Choose. You can zoom in or zoom out the image as needed.
- Finally, tap the Add button in the top right corner.
Your custom icon will now appear on the home screen.
Repeat the process for other apps. Once done, you can remove the original app icons from the home screen to avoid duplicates.
What changed after customizing my iPhone home screen
After setting up a few icons, the difference was immediate.
The home screen started to feel more cohesive. Instead of random colors and styles, everything matched. The wallpaper and icons worked together, making the entire layout feel more intentional.
I also noticed I became more selective about which apps stayed on the home screen. Over time, it turned into a cleaner space with only the apps I actually use daily, while everything else moved to the App Library.
It’s not just about aesthetics. It genuinely makes the phone feel easier to use.
What to expect when using custom icons
There is one trade-off.
When you tap a custom icon, there’s a slight delay as the shortcut runs before opening the app. It’s quick, but noticeable at first.
After a few days, I stopped paying attention to it. It becomes part of the flow.
To keep things smooth, I only customized the apps I use the most. That way, the home screen looks styled, but everything else remains easily accessible.
Tips to make your iPhone home screen look better
From trying different setups, here’s what actually worked:
- Stick to one icon style so the home screen looks consistent and not randomly mixed.
- Choose a wallpaper that complements your icons instead of overpowering them.
- Keep only the apps you actually use on the home screen for a cleaner feel.
- Leave some empty space to make the layout look balanced and easier to scan.
- Avoid customizing every app, focus on daily-use ones.
- Arrange apps based on how you naturally reach them, not just how they look.
- Build the setup gradually and adjust it after using it for a day or two.
Final thoughts
This started as a small experiment, but it completely changed how my iPhone home screen feels. Now, every time I unlock my phone, it looks like something I actually set up for myself, not just the default layout everyone gets.
Yes, it takes a bit of time to set up. But once it’s done, it feels worth it.
What about you? What kind of home screen style are you going for? Share it in the comments.
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