How to Change App Icon Colors and Size on iPhone
On iPhone with iOS 18 or later, app icon colors and sizes can be changed through Home Screen customization. Touch and hold an empty Home Screen area, choose Edit, select Customize, then choose Light, Dark, Automatic, or Tinted. The Small and Large controls change icon size across the Home Screen, not individual apps.
Steps
- Touch and hold an empty area on the iPhone Home Screen until the icons begin to jiggle.
- Tap Edit in the upper-left corner, then select Customize.
- Choose Light, Dark, or Automatic to change the general icon appearance.
- Select Tinted to tint iPhone Home Screen icons, then adjust the color and saturation sliders.
- Choose Small or Large to change app icon size, then tap outside the menu to save the layout.
Common Issues and Fixes
- Customize does not appear: The iPhone may use an iOS version earlier than iOS 18. Update iOS through Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tinted icons look too dark or bright: High saturation can overpower app artwork. Lower the saturation slider or select a lighter tint color.
- App labels disappear: The Large icon option removes Home Screen labels by design. Select Small to restore labels.
- Only some icons change appearance: Older or unsupported apps may not fully support tinted artwork. Updated app versions usually provide better results.
- Home Screen changes do not remain: A focus mode or alternate Home Screen page may be active. Check Settings > Focus and review Home Screen page settings.
Quick Tips
💡Protip:
Icon size applies to the selected Home Screen layout, not to one individual app. Automatic appearance follows the iPhone system theme and can switch between light and dark modes. Tinted icons may also affect widgets and other Home Screen elements, depending on the iOS version. App icons cannot receive completely different custom colors through the standard iPhone settings. Tinted mode applies one coordinated color treatment.
Related Questions
Can individual iPhone app icons be resized?
No. iPhone provides Small and Large Home Screen icon settings for the layout as a whole. Individual app icon sizing requires a separate shortcut or widget-based workaround.
Can iPhone app icons use custom pictures?
Yes. The Shortcuts app can create Home Screen shortcuts with custom images, but shortcut badges and notification behavior may differ from standard app icons.
