How to customize your iPhone App icons

Where in the past it was only possible with Android to adjust the interface used, you can now also adjust app icons with the iPhone.

There are privacy-sensitive apps, such as dating apps, but also banking apps, for example. Then it is useful if you give those apps a different look. This also applies to apps whose icon you just don’t like, or don’t like clearly. Fortunately, it is no longer too difficult to change that.

The step-by-step plan

As a first step, it is useful to have the icon ready that you want to set for an existing app. On Flaticon you will find thousands of different inspiring icon designs. Are you creatively inclined? Then of course you can also design your own icon.
Changing the iPhone app icons is done via the Shortcuts app. If it’s not on your screen, you’ll find it in the app library. Open this app.
Once you are in this app, click on the + in the upper right corner.
At the top of your screen you will now see a new shortcut with a common name. Do you want to change this name? (And of course you want that) Then click on the arrow next to it and select ‘Rename’.
Now click on the ‘Add Action’ button below the name.
An extensive menu of options will be visible with various actions. Now search for ‘Open App’ and then click on the link of the same name that is now visible.
You will now see a list of apps installed on your iPhone. Choose the app that you want to provide with a different icon.
Now click on the ‘Finish’ button at the top right. Now you return to the Shortcut page.
Now click on the “i” at the bottom of the screen.
Then choose Add to the home screen.
You will now see a preview of the icon. You will now replace this with your icon. Click on the item under Home Screen and Icon. Now you can choose any photo or other graphic file on your phone.
If you have chosen an existing photo, you will see a window where you can see the part of the photo that you can use for the icon. Now click on the ‘Choose’ button at the bottom right.
You can now also change the name. Are you satisfied with the result? Then choose ‘Add’ at the top right.
If everything went well, congratulations! You will now see your new icon.
You can hide the original icon so that you only see the new icon.

A video, for the visual thinkers

In short, quite a complex process. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t always make it easy. Would you rather have a video guide? Then watch the following YouTube video.