Here's How to Customize App Icons on Your iPhone — It Only Takes a Few Clicks!

The inside of my phone is about to become an aesthetic wonderland because this easy iPhone hack lets you customize all of your app icons with just a few clicks. It's so easy, I'm truly wondering how I didn't think of this before. According to the video, all you have to do to change your app icons is head to the "Shortcuts" app preinstalled on your iPhone and select "Create New Shortcut." From there, you select the app you want to change the image for, and in a couple of clicks, it will have gotten a major glow-up.

Considering that the hack only takes seconds to complete, I might just have to give my entire iPhone interior a makeover, especially now that the new iOS 16 allows for complete widget customization of your lock screen, as well as the addition of having multiple wallpapers at once. The trick uses photos saved to your camera roll to replace the original app icons, so if you can google it or snap a picture of it, you've got yourself a new icon. From galaxy icons to pastel icons to photos that create an ombré effect when the apps are all lined up, the possibilities are pretty much endless. Keep scrolling to see a full walkthrough of the simple hack, and if you're looking for more aesthetic home-screen inspiration, click here.

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How to Change App Icons, Step 1: Create a Shortcut
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 1: Create a Shortcut

Open the iPhone shortcuts app, and select "Create Shortcut."

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How to Change App Icons, Step 2: Add an Action
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 2: Add an Action

Select the "Add Action" button.

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How to Change App Icons, Step 3: Open an App
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 3: Open an App

Type "Open App" into the search bar, and select it when it appears.

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How to Change App Icons, Step 4: Create a New Shortcut
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 4: Create a New Shortcut

From the new screen, select "Choose."

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How to Change App Icons, Step 5: Choose an App
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 5: Choose an App

Type in the name of the app that you want to change the image for.

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How to Change App Icons, Step 6: Select 3 Dots
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 6: Select 3 Dots

In the top righthand corner, select the three dots.

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How to Change App Icons, Step 7: Add the Icon to Your Home Screen
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 7: Add the Icon to Your Home Screen

Type in the name of the app you selected, and click "Add to Home Screen."

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How to Change App Icons, Step 8: Edit App Name
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 8: Edit App Name

Edit the name of the app, and tap the image beside the new name.

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How to Choose App Icons: Replace the Icon
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Choose App Icons: Replace the Icon

Choose a photo previously saved to your phone to replace the old icon.

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How to Change App Icons, Step 10: Finalize the Icon
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 10: Finalize the Icon

Select "Add" in the top righthand corner.

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How to Change App Icons, Step 11: Test It on Your Home Screen
POPSUGAR Photography | Chanel Vargas

How to Change App Icons, Step 11: Test It on Your Home Screen

Your new icon should now be clickable from your home screen!

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Here's an Example of Customized Icons on an iOS 14 Home Screen

This Instagrammer used the Widgetsmith app for the custom widgets in addition to changing up the app icons with Shortcuts. Get more home-screen inspiration here.

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Watch the Instructional Video Here