How To Customize Your Iphone’s Home Screen

Customizing your iPhone’s Home Screen allows you to personalize the look and layout of your apps, widgets, and background. With iOS updates, Apple has introduced many options for customization, from rearranging icons to adding widgets and even creating unique app icons using the Shortcuts app. Here’s a comprehensive guide to customizing your iPhone’s Home Screen, helping you make it both functional and visually appealing.

Change Your Wallpaper

The easiest way to start personalizing your Home Screen is by selecting a wallpaper that suits your style.

1. Open Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper.

2. Select from Dynamic, Stills, or Live wallpapers, or pick a custom image from your Photos library.

3. Tap Set and choose Set Home Screen (or both Lock Screen and Home Screen if you want a uniform look).

Changing your wallpaper can give your Home Screen a fresh look instantly, with options for vivid colors, scenic images, and even live wallpapers that animate when pressed.

Add and Customize Widgets

Widgets allow you to add more functionality and quick access to apps right on the Home Screen.

Add Widgets to the Home Screen

1. Long-press on a blank area of the Home Screen until the icons start to jiggle.

2. Tap the + icon at the top-left corner to open the widget gallery.

3. Browse through the available widgets or use the search bar to find a specific one.

4. Select a widget, choose the desired size (small, medium, or large), and tap Add Widget.

5. Drag the widget to position it on the Home Screen, then tap Done.

Customize Widget Settings

Some widgets, like Weather or Calendar, have customization options.

1. Long-press the widget, then select Edit Widget.

2. Adjust settings such as location for Weather, or the display options for other widgets.

Widgets can add visual appeal and convenience, and you can even stack widgets of the same size on top of each other, allowing you to swipe through them without using extra space.

Organize Apps into Folders

To keep your Home Screen clean and organized, you can group similar apps into folders.

1. Long-press an app icon until it starts to jiggle.

2. Drag the app on top of another app that you want in the same folder.

3. A folder will automatically be created, and you can give it a custom name.

4. To add more apps, simply drag them into the folder.

Folders help reduce clutter and allow you to create themed pages or sections, like a “Productivity” folder for work apps or a “Social” folder for social media apps.

Hide Unused Home Screen Pages

If you have pages of apps you rarely use, you can hide them to keep your Home Screen streamlined.

1. Long-press a blank area on the Home Screen to enter Edit mode.

2. Tap the dots at the bottom of the screen (these represent your Home Screen pages).

3. Uncheck the pages you want to hide, then tap Done.

Hidden pages can be accessed anytime by re-enabling them, and hidden apps are still accessible through the App Library.

Use the App Library

The App Library, located at the far-right Home Screen page, automatically organizes all your apps into categories and lets you search for apps quickly.

Remove Apps from Home Screen Without Deleting

If you want to declutter your Home Screen without uninstalling apps:

1. Long-press an app icon and tap Remove App.

2. Choose Remove from Home Screen to keep the app in the App Library.

This helps create a minimal look by keeping only essential apps on the Home Screen.

Customize App Icons with Shortcuts

One of the most unique ways to personalize your iPhone is by creating custom app icons using the Shortcuts app. 

This allows you to match your app icons to a theme or aesthetic.

Create Custom Icons

1. Open the Shortcuts app and tap + to create a new shortcut.

2. Tap Add Action > Scripting > Open App.

3. Tap App and select the app you want to create a custom icon for.

4. Tap the Share button at the bottom, then select Add to Home Screen

5. Tap the icon next to the app name, choose Choose Photo, and select an image from your photos to use as an icon.

6. Name the shortcut and tap Add.

Repeat this process for each app you want to customize. This is great for creating a themed Home Screen, though custom icons open Shortcuts before launching the actual app.

Change the App Icon Names

When creating custom app icons with Shortcuts, you can also rename them. Just enter your desired name for each app in the Name field before adding it to the Home Screen.

This feature is perfect for creating a cohesive look. For example, you can use minimal one-word names or remove app names entirely to match a particular aesthetic.

Arrange Apps Symmetrically

To make your Home Screen look visually balanced, try arranging apps symmetrically. You can organize apps in rows, create patterns, or place apps in corners for a minimalistic look.

Long-press the icons to move them around and experiment with different layouts until you find one that feels right. Combining symmetrical arrangements with widgets and custom icons can create a unique, polished Home Screen.

Use Blank Icons for Spacing

If you want a more flexible layout, consider using blank spaces. While iOS doesn’t natively support blank icons, you can achieve this effect with certain third-party apps.

Apps like iEmpty or Widgy let you create invisible icons, so you can space out your apps or create unique patterns. This technique is perfect if you want a clean, organized look without needing to fill every slot with an app or widget.

Experiment with Aesthetic Themes

For a completely custom look, you can download themes and icon packs from the web. Some popular places to find aesthetic icons include Etsy, Pinterest, and Design Bundles.

Once you have a theme or icon pack:

1. Replace each app icon with a shortcut, as described in the “Customizing App Icons” section above.

2. Match the icons to your wallpaper and widgets for a cohesive look.

Many themes are available in specific color schemes, aesthetics (such as retro, minimalistic, or vintage), and seasonal designs.

Use Focus Modes for Custom Home Screen Layouts

iOS lets you create different Home Screen layouts for each Focus mode (e.g., Work, Personal, Sleep). This is a great way to keep work-related apps hidden when you’re off the clock or create a simplified screen for evening use.

Set Up a Custom Home Screen with Focus Mode

1. Open Settings > Focus and choose a Focus mode.

2. Scroll down and tap Home Screen under the options for that Focus

3. Enable Custom Pages and select which Home Screen pages you want to display in that mode

This feature allows you to automatically display different apps and widgets depending on the time of day or your current activities.

Add Third-Party Widgets for Extra Customization

While the default widgets on iPhone are functional, third-party apps offer more flexibility and design options. Popular apps for custom widgets include Widgetsmith, Color Widgets, and Widgy.

Create a Custom Widget with Widgetsmith

1. Download Widgetsmith from the App Store.

2. Open the app, select a widget size (small, medium, or large), and customize it with options like time, date, photos, or weather.

3. Save your widget, then add it to the Home Screen through Edit Home Screen and choosing Widgetsmith from the widget gallery.

These apps allow you to create aesthetically pleasing widgets that match your theme, providing more control over colors, fonts, and styles.

Organize and Personalize with Smart Stacks

Smart Stacks are a type of widget that rotate between different widgets based on usage patterns, location, and time of day.

Add and Customize a Smart Stack

1. Press and hold on a blank area of the Home Screen and tap the + icon.

2. Choose Smart Stack from the widget options and add it to the Home Screen.

3. Long-press the Smart Stack, select Edit Stack, and add or remove widgets as desired.

Smart Stacks provide a flexible way to keep multiple widgets in one space, creating a dynamic and organized Home Screen experience.

Conclusion

Customizing your iPhone’s Home Screen has become easier and more versatile, allowing you to personalize every aspect from app icons and widgets to wallpapers and themes. Whether you prefer a minimalist look, a functional layout, or a fully themed aesthetic, these customization options give you the tools to make your iPhone truly yours. Start experimenting with layouts, widgets, and icons to create a Home Screen that fits your style and enhances your iPhone experience.