To change app icons on an iPhone, the primary method is using the Shortcuts app to create custom shortcuts for your apps with personalized icons. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (pre-installed).
- Tap the "+" button to create a new shortcut.
- Tap "Add Action" and choose "Open App."
- Tap the highlighted "App" text and select the app you want to customize.
- Tap the three dots at the top right and choose "Add to Home Screen."
- Tap the icon next to the shortcut name and select "Choose Photo" to pick a custom image from your photos for the new icon.
- Rename the shortcut to the app's name or any preferred name.
- Tap "Add" and the custom icon shortcut will be added to your home screen.
- To avoid duplicate icons, you can remove the original app icon from the home screen, which will keep the app in the App Library.
Additionally, with iOS 18, there is a simpler way to customize app icon appearances by editing home screen settings to change icon size, color tints, and light/dark modes, but this does not replace specific icons with custom images. Keep in mind that using the Shortcuts method creates a shortcut link, so launching the app via the custom icon is a bit slower and notification badges won't show on these custom icons.
