iPhone users are creating custom app icons in iOS 14 to mimic everything from older iPhones to video games — here's how to do it

Mary MeisenzahlSep 23, 2020, 23:03 IST

iOS 14 icons.Mary Meisenzahl

Apple just released iOS 14, the newest software update for iPhones.
Users are using widgets and app icons to customize home screens.
On social media, people show off detailed phone screen designs.

Apple just released iOS 14, with some major updates to home screen organization, plus all kinds of improvements to Messages, Siri, and more.

The new customization options have been well-received by iPhone users. iOS 14 home screen customizations have taken over social media with the addition of widgets and the ability to replace app icons. Some apps allow further customization of different widgets, and they've shot up in popularity: The top three free apps in the App Store on Monday were widget editors, beating out even the popular social-video app TikTok.

Soon after iOS 14 became available last week, several videos popped up showing people how to make their screens fit a theme with icons.

So far, there's really not an easy or convenient way to replace standard app icons. Each app requires its own shortcut, and then the original app must be removed from the home screen and left in the app library. Here's how to do it.

First, open the Shortcuts app.

Shortcuts App. Mary Meisenzahl

In the top right corner, tap the plus button.

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

Press "Add Action," — you're going to be creating a shortcut that automatically opens whatever app you choose when you select the new icon.

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

Choose "Scripting" from the menu.

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

Next, tap "Open App."

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

Click "choose," which brings up a list off all the apps on the iPhone, and choose whichever one to replace the icon.

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

In the empty name field, add whatever you'd prefer the app be called. I went with Photos. Then select done.

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

To finish up, tap the three dots in the top right corner.

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

Add the new shortcut to your home screen.

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

There, you finally have the option to choose what photo from your albums to use as an icon.

Shortcuts. Mary Meisenzahl

I did this with two apps, replacing Chartbeat and Photos with my own icons. When I click on the icon, it quickly opens Shortcuts, then moves to the app I was looking for.

iOS 14 icons. Mary Meisenzahl

I did this with two apps, replacing Chartbeat and Photos with my own icons. When I click on the icon, it quickly opens Shortcuts, then moves to the app I was looking for.

Between widgets and icons, iPhone owners can really customize the look of their phones.

All kinds of themes are possible, and some online creators are selling or giving away icon packages.

Some people even recreated old versions of iOS.

Another creator made icons and a background to look like the NookPhone from Animal Crossing.

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iPhone users are creating custom app icons in iOS 14 to mimic everything from older iPhones to video games — here's how to do it

First, open the Shortcuts app.

In the top right corner, tap the plus button.

Press "Add Action," — you're going to be creating a shortcut that automatically opens whatever app you choose when you select the new icon.

Choose "Scripting" from the menu.

Next, tap "Open App."

Click "choose," which brings up a list off all the apps on the iPhone, and choose whichever one to replace the icon.

In the empty name field, add whatever you'd prefer the app be called. I went with Photos. Then select done.

To finish up, tap the three dots in the top right corner.

Add the new shortcut to your home screen.

There, you finally have the option to choose what photo from your albums to use as an icon.

I did this with two apps, replacing Chartbeat and Photos with my own icons. When I click on the icon, it quickly opens Shortcuts, then moves to the app I was looking for.

Between widgets and icons, iPhone owners can really customize the look of their phones.

All kinds of themes are possible, and some online creators are selling or giving away icon packages.

Some people even recreated old versions of iOS.

Another creator made icons and a background to look like the NookPhone from Animal Crossing.