What you can actually change about app colors on iPhone
iPhone does not let you change the color of an app's icon directly through settings. Apple locks the appearance of built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, and Photos. However, you can create custom-colored versions of any app using the Shortcuts app, which is built into iOS. This method wraps the original app in a new icon you design, and tapping it launches the real app underneath.
The colored icon sits on your home screen while the actual app runs normally in the background. Your data, notifications, and app function stay exactly the same — only the visual appearance changes. This works for both Apple's built-in apps and third-party apps from the App Store.
Key Takeaways
- You create custom app icons using the Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed on all iPhones running iOS 13 or later.
- The process involves making a new shortcut that opens the app, then assigning it a custom icon and name that appears on your home screen.
- Custom icons are visual only — the underlying app works normally, receives notifications, and stores data as usual.
- You can use photos from your library, emoji, or solid colors as custom icons, and organize them into folders to match your aesthetic.
Creating a custom icon using Shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut. Search for "Open App" in the action library and select it. Choose the app you want to customize from the list that appears.
Tap the three dots in the top right of the shortcut editor. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen." A dialog will appear asking for a name and icon. Type the name you want to display under the icon. Tap the icon preview box to choose a custom image.
You can select a photo from your library, use an emoji, or pick a solid color. Once you've chosen your icon, tap "Add" in the top right. The custom icon will now appear on your home screen with your chosen appearance, and tapping it will open the original app.
Using photos and emoji as custom icons
Photos work best if they are square and at least 180 by 180 pixels. You can take a screenshot of a color you like, crop it to a square, and use that as your icon. Emoji are the fastest option — search for any emoji in the icon picker and it will scale automatically to fill the icon space.
If you want a solid color background, take a screenshot of a colored app or website, crop it to a small square, and use that. Many people screenshot the color picker in Notes or use a solid-color image from their photos. The icon will display at actual size on your home screen, so test a few options before settling on one.
Organizing custom icons into folders
Once you have created several custom icons, you can group them into folders to keep your home screen organized. Long-press an empty area of your home screen and tap "Edit." Drag one custom icon onto another to create a folder. Name the folder something descriptive like "Productivity" or "Social."
You can continue dragging custom icons into the folder. The folder will display the icons of the apps inside it. Tapping the folder opens it and shows all the custom icons within. This approach lets you maintain a clean home screen while keeping all your customized apps accessible.
Matching custom icons to your home screen theme
Many people create icon sets that match a specific color palette or design style. You might choose a warm beige for productivity apps, cool blue for social apps, and muted green for health and fitness apps. Consistency across your icons makes your home screen feel intentional rather than random.
Some users download icon packs from the App Store — apps like Brass and Unfolder provide pre-made icon designs you can screenshot and use. Others create their own designs in apps like Canva or Pixelmator. The icon you see on your home screen is purely visual, so you can change it anytime by editing the shortcut and selecting a new icon.
Limitations and things to know
Custom icons created this way do not receive badge notifications showing unread messages or counts. If an app normally shows a red badge with a number, that badge will not appear on your custom icon. The app itself still receives notifications normally — you will see them in Notification Center and hear sounds — but the home screen icon stays static.
Custom icons also take a fraction of a second longer to open because they launch through Shortcuts first. This delay is usually imperceptible, but it is slightly slower than tapping the original app. If you delete the shortcut, the custom icon disappears from your home screen, but the original app remains in your App Library untouched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of built-in apps like Mail or Calendar without using Shortcuts?
No. Apple does not provide a built-in setting to change app icon colors. Shortcuts is the only method available on iPhone to create custom-colored icons that appear on your home screen. You can hide the original app and use only the custom shortcut version if you prefer.
Will my custom icon receive notifications?
Custom icons created through Shortcuts do not display badge notifications with unread counts. The app itself still receives notifications normally, and you will see them in Notification Center. If badge notifications are important to you, you may want to keep the original app icon visible alongside your custom version.
Can I use a custom icon for apps I download from the App Store?
Yes. The Shortcuts method works for any app on your iPhone, including third-party apps from the App Store. Search for the app name in the "Open App" action and select it. The custom icon will launch that app normally with all your data and settings intact.
What happens if I delete a custom icon shortcut?
The custom icon disappears from your home screen, but the original app remains in your App Library. You can recreate the custom icon anytime by following the same Shortcuts process again. Your app data is never affected by creating or deleting custom icons.
Can I share custom icons with other people?
You can share the shortcut itself through the Shortcuts app by tapping the three dots and selecting "Share." The person receiving it can add it to their own Shortcuts library. However, if you used a personal photo as the icon, they will see that photo on their home screen as well.