iOS 18 lets you change the color of individual apps on your home screen, and the process takes about 30 seconds per app
Apple added a feature in iOS 18 that lets you customize the color of app icons without needing a third-party launcher or shortcuts. You can make each app display in a different color — a muted tone, a bright accent, or a custom shade — while keeping the app itself unchanged. The color change only affects how the icon looks on your home screen and lock screen; the app's interface inside stays the same.
This feature works on any iPhone running iOS 18 or later. You don't need to jailbreak your phone, install a separate app, or use complicated workarounds. Apple built it directly into the system settings.
Key Takeaways
- Open any app, swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the app switcher, then tap and hold the app icon at the top to access color options.
- You can choose from Apple's preset color palette or create a custom color by selecting specific hues and brightness levels.
- The color change applies only to the home screen and lock screen icons; the app's internal design remains unchanged.
- You can change an app's color as many times as you want, and reverting to the original takes just a few taps.
How to change an app's icon color using the app switcher
The fastest way to change an app's color is through the app switcher. Open the app you want to customize, then swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or the top-center on older iPhones). This reveals the app switcher — a card showing the app you're currently in.
Tap and hold on the app card at the top. A menu will appear with several options. Look for "App Color" or "Customize App" — the exact wording depends on your iOS version, but it's the option that shows color swatches. Tap it, and you'll see Apple's color palette. Select the color you want, then tap outside the menu to close it. The change takes effect immediately on your home screen.
Choosing from Apple's preset colors versus custom colors
When you tap the color menu, you'll see two options: a row of preset colors and a "Custom Color" button. The preset colors are designed to match iOS 18's design system — they include muted tones like sage, slate, and clay, plus brighter accents like blue, red, and green. These presets are the quickest choice if you want a coordinated look across multiple apps.
If none of the presets match what you want, tap "Custom Color." This opens a color picker where you can adjust the hue (the base color), saturation (how vivid it is), and brightness (how light or dark it appears). Slide through the options until you find a shade you like, then confirm. Custom colors let you match your app icons to a specific aesthetic — say, all warm tones or all pastels — but they take a few extra taps to set up.
Changing colors from your home screen or lock screen
You don't have to open an app to change its color. You can also customize directly from your home screen. Tap and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Select "App Color" from the options, then choose your color the same way you would from the app switcher.
Lock screen app icons can also be customized. If you've added app shortcuts to your lock screen, tap and hold one of those icons, select "App Color," and pick a shade. This is useful if you want your lock screen icons to stand out from your home screen icons with a different color scheme.
Reverting an app to its original color
If you change your mind about a color, reverting is simple. Open the app or tap and hold its home screen icon, then select "App Color" again. Look for an option labeled "Default" or "Original Color" — this resets the icon to Apple's standard appearance for that app. Tap it, and the change is undone immediately.
There's no limit to how many times you can change an app's color, so you can experiment without worry. Some people change their app colors seasonally or to match a new phone case.
Why your app color might not be showing up
If you've set a custom color but the app icon still looks the same on your home screen, check whether you're using an app icon pack or custom theme. Some third-party launchers or icon packs override iOS's native color settings. If you've installed a custom icon pack, you may need to remove it to see your color changes.
Also confirm that you're running iOS 18 or later. Older versions of iOS don't support this feature. Go to Settings > General > About and check your iOS version. If you're on iOS 17 or earlier, you'll need to update your phone first.
Using app colors to organize your home screen
Many people use app colors to create visual groups on their home screen. For example, you might color all your social media apps in warm tones, all your productivity apps in cool tones, and all your games in bright accents. This makes it faster to find what you're looking for at a glance, even if the apps aren't physically grouped together.
You can also use colors to match your phone's overall aesthetic. If you've set a dark wallpaper with blue accents, you might color your most-used apps in shades of blue and gray to create a cohesive look. The color system is flexible enough to support both practical organization and pure visual preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of system apps like Settings or Phone?
Yes. All apps, including Apple's built-in apps, support color customization in iOS 18. Tap and hold the app icon and select "App Color" just as you would for any third-party app.
Will the color change sync across my devices?
No. App colors are stored on each device individually. If you change an app's color on your iPhone, that change won't automatically appear on your iPad or Mac. You'll need to customize each device separately.
Can I change multiple apps to the same color at once?
No. You customize one app at a time. However, once you've chosen a color, you can quickly apply it to other apps by tapping and holding each one and selecting the same shade from the color palette.
What happens to app colors if I update iOS?
Your custom app colors are preserved when you update iOS. Apple treats color customizations as part of your device settings, so they remain even after a major iOS update.
Can I set different colors for the same app on my home screen and lock screen?
No. An app's color is global — if you set Mail to blue, it will be blue everywhere it appears: home screen, lock screen, app switcher, and anywhere else iOS displays the icon.