What you can do with iPhone app colors

You can change the color of app icons on your iPhone in two ways: by creating custom shortcuts that replace the original app icons with colored versions you design, or by using the built-in Home Screen customization features in iOS 16 and later to tint your entire app library. Neither method changes the app itself — you are only changing what the icon looks like on your screen.

The shortcut method gives you the most control. You can make each icon any color you want, use photos as backgrounds, or add text and symbols. The Home Screen tinting method is faster but applies the same color scheme to all your apps at once.

Both methods work on any iPhone running iOS 15 or later, though some features require iOS 16 or newer. Neither requires jailbreaking or downloading anything outside the App Store.

Key Takeaways

  • Custom shortcuts let you replace individual app icons with colored versions you design yourself using the Shortcuts app.
  • Home Screen customization (iOS 16+) lets you tint all your apps with a single color or gradient without creating shortcuts.
  • The shortcut method takes longer to set up but gives you complete control over each icon's appearance.
  • Both methods keep your original apps intact — you are only changing what appears on your home screen.

Creating colored app icons with shortcuts

Open the Shortcuts app (it comes built into iOS). Tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut. Search for and add the action called "Open App," then select the app whose icon you want to change. This is the app that will actually open when you tap the new icon.

Next, add another action by searching for "Ask for [Color/Image]" or go directly to "Add to Home Screen." Tap "Add to Home Screen" and you will see options to customize the icon. Tap the icon preview image to choose a color, upload a photo, or use an emoji. Name the shortcut (this becomes the label under the icon), then tap "Add."

The new icon now appears on your home screen. Tapping it opens the original app. You can repeat this process for as many apps as you want. Each shortcut can have its own color, photo, or design. If you want to change the icon later, find the shortcut on your home screen, long-press it, tap "Edit," and tap the icon preview to change its appearance.

Using Home Screen tinting for quick color changes

If you have iOS 16 or later, you can tint your app icons without creating shortcuts. Long-press any empty space on your home screen until the customization menu appears. Tap "Customize" at the bottom of the screen.

You will see options for "Color Tint," "Dark Mode," and "Icon Style." Tap "Color Tint" and choose from preset colors or create a custom color by selecting "Custom Color." The tint applies to all app icons on that particular home screen page. Different pages can have different tints.

This method is faster than shortcuts but less flexible — you cannot color individual apps differently on the same page. All icons on that page will use the same tint. If you want different colors for different apps, you need to use the shortcut method instead.

Organizing colored icons into folders and pages

Once you have created colored icons or applied tints, organize them by moving icons around. Long-press any icon and drag it to a new location, or drag it onto another icon to create a folder. Folders can hold multiple colored icons and help you keep your home screen organized by category.

You can also create multiple home screen pages and apply different color tints to each one. Swipe left to add a new page, then customize that page's colors separately. This lets you group apps by function (work, social, games) and give each group its own color scheme.

Troubleshooting common problems

If a shortcut icon does not open the app, open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut, and tap it to run it manually. Then check that you selected the correct app in the "Open App" action. If the icon does not appear on your home screen after creating it, swipe left to see if it landed on a different page, or check that you tapped "Add" at the end of the setup.

If Home Screen tinting is not working, make sure you are running iOS 16 or later. Go to Settings > General > About and check your iOS version. If you are on an older version, you can only use the shortcut method. If tinting is turned on but not showing, try closing and reopening the home screen customization menu.

If you want to remove a colored icon shortcut, long-press it on your home screen and tap "Remove." The original app remains on your phone. To remove Home Screen tinting, go back into customization and select "None" or "Default" for the color tint.

When to use shortcuts versus Home Screen tinting

Use shortcuts if you want to color individual apps differently, use photos as icon backgrounds, or add text and symbols to icons. Shortcuts take more time to set up but give you complete creative control. They also work on older iPhones running iOS 15.

Use Home Screen tinting if you want a quick, uniform color scheme across all your apps on one page, or if you want to change colors frequently without recreating shortcuts. Tinting is faster but requires iOS 16 or later and applies the same color to every app on that page.

Many people use both methods together — they create custom shortcuts for their most-used apps and apply tinting to the rest of their home screen for a cohesive look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do colored icons slow down my iPhone?

No. Shortcuts and Home Screen tinting do not affect your phone's performance. They only change what the icons look like on your screen. Your apps run exactly as they normally do.

Can I share my colored icons with other people?

You can share individual shortcuts by opening the Shortcuts app, long-pressing a shortcut, and tapping "Share." The person you send it to can add it to their own home screen. Home Screen tinting cannot be shared — each person has to set it up on their own phone.

What happens if I update an app?

If you created a shortcut for an app, the shortcut still works after the app updates. The colored icon you created stays the same. If you used Home Screen tinting, the tint remains applied even after app updates.

Can I use a photo from my camera roll as an app icon?

Yes, but only with the shortcut method. When you customize a shortcut icon, tap the icon preview and look for an option to choose a photo. Select any image from your camera roll, and it becomes your app icon. Home Screen tinting cannot use photos — only solid colors and gradients.

Do I need to keep the Shortcuts app on my home screen?

No. The Shortcuts app is only used to create and edit your custom icons. Once you have created a shortcut and added it to your home screen, you can hide or delete the Shortcuts app itself, and your custom icons will still work.