How To Customize Your IPhone Home Screen: A Step-by-Step Guide

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5 min. read

Published on October 27, 2025

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Customizing your iPhone home screen allows you to personalize your device and make it truly your own. From changing app icons and widgets to creating custom themes, there are numerous ways to tailor your iPhone to reflect your style and preferences. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough of how to customize your iPhone home screen, making it more visually appealing and functional.

Whether you’re looking to declutter your screen, change the aesthetic, or simply make your apps more accessible, this guide covers everything you need to know. Let’s dive into the world of iPhone customization and discover how to create a home screen that’s uniquely yours.

Ready to Personalize Your iPhone Home Screen?

Change Your App Icons

Changing app icons is a fun way to personalize your home screen’s appearance. You’ll need the Shortcuts app for this.

Open the Shortcuts app.
Tap the “+” button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
Tap “Add Action”.
Search for and select “Open App”.
Tap “App” and choose the app you want to customize.
Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
Tap “Add to Home Screen”.
Tap the icon under “Home Screen Name and Icon”.
Choose “Choose Photo” to select an image from your Photos library.
Crop and position the image as desired.
Tap “Choose”.
Enter a name for the shortcut (this will be the app name displayed on your home screen).
Tap “Add” in the top right corner.
The new icon will now appear on your home screen.

Use Widgets to Display Information

Widgets provide quick access to information directly from your home screen.

Long-press on an empty area of your home screen until the apps jiggle.
Tap the “+” button in the top left corner.
Scroll through the available widgets or use the search bar to find a specific widget.
Select the widget you want to add.
Swipe left or right to choose the size and style of the widget.
Tap “Add Widget”.
The widget will now appear on your home screen. You can drag it to your desired location.

Create Custom App Folders

Organizing your apps into folders helps to declutter your home screen.

Long-press on an app icon until the apps jiggle.
Drag the app icon onto another app icon to create a new folder.
The folder will be created, and both apps will be inside.
Tap the folder to open it and rename it.
Drag additional apps into the folder to add them.
Tap outside the folder to close it.

Change Your Wallpaper

Changing your wallpaper is a simple way to give your home screen a fresh look.

Open the Settings app.
Tap “Wallpaper”.
Tap “Add New Wallpaper”.
Choose a wallpaper from your Photos, Apple’s stock images, or other sources.
Customize the wallpaper with filters, perspective zoom, and other options.
Tap “Add” in the top right corner.
Choose whether to set the wallpaper for your Lock Screen, Home Screen, or both.

Use Focus Modes for Different Home Screen Layouts

Focus modes allow you to create different home screen layouts for different activities.

Open the Settings app.
Tap “Focus”.
Choose an existing Focus mode or tap the “+” button to create a new one.
Customize the Focus mode by choosing which apps and people can send you notifications.
Under “Customize Screens,” tap “Choose” to select which home screen pages to display when the Focus mode is active.
Tap “Done” to save your changes.

Tips for Effective Home Screen Customization

Consistency is key: Choose a color palette or theme and stick to it for a cohesive look.
Prioritize essential apps: Place your most frequently used apps on the first home screen for easy access.
Consider widget placement: Position widgets in locations where they provide the most value at a glance.
Regularly declutter: Periodically review your home screen and remove any apps or widgets you no longer use.
Experiment with different layouts: Don’t be afraid to try new arrangements and themes to find what works best for you.

Achieving Your Ideal iPhone Aesthetic

Customizing your iPhone home screen is a fantastic way to express yourself and optimize your device for your specific needs. By following these steps, you can create a visually appealing and highly functional home screen that enhances your overall iPhone experience.

FAQ

How do I change the color of app icons on my iPhone? You can’t directly change the color of app icons. Using the Shortcuts app, you can create custom icons using images of the colors you want.

Can I customize the look of widgets on my iPhone? Some widgets allow customization of color, font, and displayed information. However, the extent of customization depends on the widget developer.

How do I remove a widget from my iPhone home screen? Long-press the widget, tap “Remove Widget,” and then confirm.

Is it possible to have different home screen layouts for different times of the day? Yes, by using Focus modes, you can set up different home screen layouts that activate at specific times or under certain conditions.

Will customizing my home screen drain my iPhone’s battery? Using widgets that frequently update or having a large number of custom icons can slightly impact battery life, but the effect is usually minimal.

Comparing Customization Methods

Feature	Shortcuts Method (Custom Icons)	Widgets	Focus Modes
Purpose	Change app icons	Display information	Customize home screen layouts
Complexity	Moderate	Easy	Moderate
Functionality	Aesthetic	Functional	Both
Battery Impact	Minimal	Potentially moderate	Minimal
Customization	High	Variable	High

Further Personalization

With these steps, you’re well on your way to creating a unique and personalized iPhone home screen. Experiment with different combinations of icons, widgets, and layouts to find the perfect balance of aesthetics and functionality that suits your individual needs.