How to Change iPhone App Colors: Full Guide

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 14 or later (for Shortcuts icon customization)
The Shortcuts app (pre-installed on iPhone)
An image or photo to use as the new app icon (optional)

Step-by-Step

Open the Shortcuts app – Tap the Shortcuts icon on your home screen. If you can’t find it, swipe down on the home screen and search for “Shortcuts”.
Tap the + button – In the top-right corner of the Shortcuts screen, tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut.
Add an action – Tap “Add Action”, then search for “Open App” in the search bar. Select the “Open App” action from the list.
Choose the app – Tap the blue “App” text in the action, then select the app whose icon you want to change (e.g., Safari, Mail, etc.).
Name the shortcut – Tap the shortcut name at the top (it defaults to “Shortcut”) and rename it to the app’s name (e.g., “Safari”). This name will appear under the new icon.
Add to Home Screen – Tap the share icon (a square with an arrow) at the bottom, then choose “Add to Home Screen”.
Change the icon color – Tap the icon preview next to the name, then choose “Choose Photo” or “Choose File” to select an image. You can also tap “Take Photo” to use a new photo. Once selected, tap “Add” in the top-right, then “Done”.

After adding, the new icon will appear on your home screen. The original app icon remains in your App Library (swipe left on the last home screen page).

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to rename the shortcut – If you don’t rename it, the icon will show “Shortcut” instead of the app name.
Using a low-resolution image – The icon may look blurry. Use a 1:1 square image at least 180×180 pixels.
Not deleting the original app icon – The original icon stays on your home screen unless you remove it. Long-press the original icon, tap “Remove App”, then “Remove from Home Screen” (it stays in App Library).
Expecting the icon to update automatically – You must manually add the shortcut to the Home Screen each time you change the image.

Tips

Use solid colors or simple patterns for best visibility.
Create a folder for your custom icons to keep your home screen organized.
If you want all icons to match, use the same background color for each.
For a system-wide color change (like making everything darker), use Dark Mode: Settings > Display & Brightness > Dark.
To change the tint of the entire screen (for accessibility), go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters. This changes all colors, not just app icons.

Troubleshooting

Icon doesn’t change: Make sure you selected the image and tapped “Add” in the top-right corner. If it still shows the old icon, delete the shortcut and start again.
Shortcut opens the Shortcuts app instead of the target app: This happens if you didn’t add the “Open App” action correctly. Go back to the shortcut and ensure the action is present.
Icon is blurry: Use a higher-resolution image. The ideal size is 180×180 pixels or larger.
Can’t find the shortcut on Home Screen: It may be on a different page. Swipe left to check all pages, or use Spotlight search (swipe down on the home screen) to find it.
Original app icon reappears after restart: This is normal – the original icon is still installed. You can hide it by long-pressing and choosing “Remove from Home Screen” again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of app icons without using Shortcuts?

No, the Shortcuts method is the only way to change individual app icons without jailbreaking. However, you can change the overall color scheme using Dark Mode or Color Filters in Settings.

Will changing the icon affect the app’s functionality?

No, the shortcut simply opens the app. All features work normally. The only difference is the icon and name on the Home Screen.

Can I change the icon back to the original?

Yes, simply delete the shortcut from your Home Screen (long-press, then “Remove Shortcut”). The original app icon is still in your App Library and can be added back to the Home Screen.

Does this work on all iPhones?

Yes, as long as your iPhone runs iOS 14 or later. Older iOS versions do not support this feature.

Can I change the color of the app icon itself (not just the background)?

No, you can only replace the entire icon with a custom image. You cannot alter the original icon’s colors directly.

Is there a way to change the icon color for all apps at once?

No, you must create a separate shortcut for each app. There is no batch method.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.