Customize Your iPhone Home screen

With the new IOS 15 update, shortcuts are making a comeback.

They’re just more efficient! Now, by clicking on your created shortcut, you get direct access to the app. (Gone are the times where you’d have to go through all the annoying hassle before accessing it)

Yes, your home screen can finally be both aesthetic and efficient!

a photo of an iPhone home screen with aesthetic app icons in shades of peach and lilac.

Requirements

Before getting all excited, there are a few requirements to fulfill:

Shortcuts app (Free from the AppStore )
iOS 15 or higher
A custom icon pack or images to use as your custom icons (continue reading for a surprise)
Some patience if using the Shortcuts app 🙂

After you have ensured that you meet all the requirements, you can use the guide below to change your app icons in iOS 15.

How to change app icons in iOS 15

You can change the app icon by using the Shortcuts app.

Shortcuts is an automation app that allows you to trigger actions and automation based on different changing variables of your device. We can use these automations and shortcuts to our advantage to create and launch apps through custom app icons.

Follow the guide below to get you started.

Open the Shortcuts app and tap on ‘+’ in the top right corner of your screen.

Step 1 of getting cute app icons: Open the Shortcuts app and tap on ‘+’ in the top right corner of your screen

Tap on ‘+ Add Action’.

Step 2 of getting cute app icons: Tap on ‘+ Add Action’

Then search for ‘Open App’ using the search bar at the top.

Step 3 of getting cute app icons: Now search for ‘Open App’ using the search bar at the top

Select the same once it shows up on your screen.

Step 4 of getting cute app icons: Tap and select the same once it shows up on your screen

Tap on ‘App’.

Step 5 of getting cute app icons: Tap on ‘App’

Select the app that you wish to create a new app icon for, and it should be automatically added to the shortcut.

Step 6 of getting cute app icons: Select the app that you wish to create a new app icon for, and it should be automatically added to the shortcut.

Now tap on ‘Open App’ at the top and enter the name of the app you just selected.

Step 7 of getting cute app icons: Now tap on ‘Open App’ at the top and enter the name of the app you just selected.

Tap on the menu icon in the top right corner of your screen.

Step 8 of getting cute app icons: Tap on the menu icon in the top right corner of your screen.

Click on ‘Add to Home Screen’ now.

Step 9 of getting cute app icons: Tap on ‘Add to Home Screen’ now

Tap on the default app icon and select ‘Choose Photo’. You can also tap on ‘Choose File’ if the icon file exists on your local storage.

Step 10 of getting cute app icons: Tap on the default app icon and select ‘Choose Photo’. You can also tap on ‘Choose File’ if the icon file exists on your local storage

Your Photos app will now open. Tap and select the photo you wish to use as your App icon.
Zoom and move around the photo until you are happy with the preview. Once done, tap on ‘Choose‘ in the bottom right corner of your screen.
The chosen photo will now be set as your app icon. You can now tap on ‘Add’ in the top right corner.
The app icon will now be added to your home screen and you can launch the app from your home screen using the same.

I know it seems tedious and complicated, but once you set up your first app you quickly realize how easy the process is.