How to Change iPhone Home Screen Color

iPhone does not have one setting that recolors every part of the Home Screen. You can tint supported app icons and widgets, select a wallpaper with a different color, or use both for a coordinated look. Before you start, update your iPhone if you want the latest customization options; the names and locations of menus can vary slightly by iOS version.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone with a recent iOS version for Home Screen icon tinting. If you do not see the customization controls below, your version may not support them.
A wallpaper image or built-in wallpaper option if you also want to change the background.
A few minutes to adjust the appearance and check that icons remain easy to see.

Step-by-Step

Open Home Screen editing. Go to the Home Screen, touch and hold an empty area until the app icons begin to jiggle, then tap Edit if it appears. On supported versions, tap Customize. The exact labels may differ slightly by iOS version.
Choose an icon appearance. In the customization panel, select Light, Dark, or Automatic to change the supported icons’ appearance. Automatic follows the iPhone’s appearance setting, so its look may change with the time or schedule you have set.
Apply a tint. If available, tap Tinted. Use the color controls to choose a hue and adjust its intensity. Some versions let you use a color picker or sample a color from the wallpaper. The tint affects supported app icons and may also affect widgets; it does not recolor every app screen or the entire iPhone interface.
Adjust icon size if desired. In the same panel, choose the larger icon option if you want bigger icons. This can hide app names, so check whether the result suits your Home Screen. You can return to the standard size at any time.
Change the wallpaper background if needed. Open Settings and tap Wallpaper, then choose an existing wallpaper or add a new one. Follow the on-screen controls to position and set it for the Home Screen. Menu names and choices may differ slightly by version. A wallpaper change is separate from icon tinting, and you can change one without changing the other.
Finish and review the result. Tap Done, or tap outside the customization panel if that is the displayed control. View the Home Screen in normal use and check contrast, widget colors, and any folders. Reopen Customize to refine the tint or switch back to Light or Dark if icons are hard to distinguish.

Common Mistakes

Expecting every app to change. Tinting changes the appearance of supported Home Screen icons; it does not necessarily alter third-party apps’ artwork, notifications, or their screens after opening. Some icons may look different from others.
Changing wallpaper when you meant to tint icons. Wallpaper controls the background. Use Home Screen customization for icon appearance, and Wallpaper settings for the image behind the icons.
Choosing a tint with poor contrast. A color close to the wallpaper can make icons and widgets difficult to spot. Try a stronger tint, a simpler background, or a different appearance option.
Looking for controls on an unsupported version. If Customize or Tinted is missing, check your iOS version in Settings > General > About. Update through Settings > General > Software Update if an update is available and appropriate for your device.
Assuming the tint changes the Lock Screen too. Home Screen icon customization and Lock Screen appearance are separate. Adjust the Lock Screen through wallpaper settings if you want it to match.

Tips

Choose a wallpaper first, then select a tint that complements its main colors without blending into the background.
Use a moderate tint intensity if you want app symbols to remain easy to recognize.
Check folders and widgets as well as the main icon grid; their appearance may respond differently to a tint.
If you prefer the original icon colors, select Light or Dark rather than Tinted. You can change the setting again whenever you like.
Consider using a plain or less busy wallpaper behind the icons to make labels and app symbols clearer.

Troubleshooting

The Customize option does not appear: Make sure you are touching and holding an empty part of the Home Screen, not an app icon or widget. Tap Edit if shown, then look for Customize. If it is still missing, check your iOS version; the feature may not be available on it. Menu wording can differ slightly between versions.

The tint option is missing: Icon tinting is not available on every iOS version. Check Settings > General > About, then see whether Software Update offers a compatible update. Do not expect an update to add the feature if your iPhone cannot run a version that supports it.

Only some icons look tinted: This can happen because icons and widgets do not all respond in the same way. Check for an app update, then review the result again. If a particular icon remains unchanged, use Light or Dark, or leave that icon as it is.

The Home Screen background did not change: Confirm that you set or edited the wallpaper for the Home Screen, rather than only changing the Lock Screen. Reopen Settings > Wallpaper and check the selected wallpaper pair and preview.

The screen looks too dark or washed out: Return to Customize and try another appearance or reduce the tint intensity. Also check the wallpaper and the iPhone’s display brightness; those can affect how the colors appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the color of the iPhone Home Screen without changing the wallpaper?

Yes. Use Home Screen customization to select an icon appearance or tint. The wallpaper is a separate setting and can stay as it is.

Can I make all app icons one color?

You can apply a tint to supported icons on compatible iOS versions, but the result may not be identical across every app or widget. Some icons may not respond as expected.

Can I choose a different color for each app icon?

The built-in tint control applies a coordinated appearance rather than offering a separate color choice for every icon. Individual app customization depends on the app and available iPhone features.

How do I restore the original icon colors?

Touch and hold an empty Home Screen area, open Edit and Customize, then select Light or Dark instead of Tinted. The menu wording may vary by iOS version.

Does changing the Home Screen tint change app screens or the Lock Screen?

No. Home Screen tinting changes supported icons and sometimes widgets. It does not recolor the contents of apps, and Lock Screen settings are separate.

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