I have always been a fan of personalization, especially when it comes to my iPhone’s home screen. It’s the first thing I see when I unlock my phone, so why not make it visually appealing and tailored to my taste? Over the years, I have discovered various ways to customize my iOS home screen like a pro, and the best part is that it doesn’t cost a dime. In this article, I will share my top tips and tricks on how to create a unique and eye-catching home screen without spending a penny.
Create Custom App Icons
One of the most popular ways to customize your iOS home screen is by creating custom app icons. Instead of the default app icons provided by Apple, you can design your own or download pre-made icons from the internet. There are plenty of websites and apps that offer a wide range of icon packs for free. Once you have chosen the icons you like, you can use the Shortcuts app on your iPhone to replace the original app icons with the custom ones.
To create custom app icons, start by opening the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. Tap on the “+” icon to create a new shortcut. In the shortcut editing screen, tap on the “Add Action” button and search for “Open App” in the search bar. Select the “Open App” action and choose the app you want to customize. Tap on the three dots in the top-right corner and select “Add to Home Screen.” Now, you can tap on the icon next to the shortcut name and choose a custom image from your photo library. Repeat this process for each app you want to customize, and voila! You now have a personalized home screen with custom app icons.
Make Eye-Catching Custom Home Screen Widgets
With the release of iOS 14, Apple introduced home screen widgets, allowing users to add useful information and quick actions to their home screens. However, the default widgets provided by Apple may not always match your desired aesthetic. Thankfully, there are ways to create custom widgets that will make your home screen truly stand out.
One of the easiest ways to create custom widgets is by using the Widgetsmith app, which is available for free on the App Store. Widgetsmith allows you to create widgets for various purposes, such as displaying the weather, calendar events, or even custom text. To create a custom widget, open the Widgetsmith app and tap on the “+” icon in the top-left corner. Choose the size of the widget you want to create and select the type of content you want to display. You can customize the font, color, and background of the widget to match your home screen theme. Once you’re satisfied with the customization, tap on “Save” and go back to your home screen. Press and hold on an empty area of your home screen until the apps start jiggling, then tap on the “+” icon in the top-left corner to add a widget. Scroll down to the Widgetsmith section and choose the widget size you created. Finally, you can drag the widget to your desired location and resize it to fit your layout.
Create Transparent Widgets
Another cool way to customize your iOS home screen is by creating transparent widgets. Transparent widgets allow you to place widgets on top of your wallpaper, giving the illusion of a seamless design. This can create a visually stunning effect and make your home screen look more cohesive.
To create transparent widgets, you will need the Widgetsmith app mentioned earlier, as well as a photo editing app that supports transparency, such as Adobe Photoshop Mix or Pixelmator. Start by opening the photo editing app and selecting a photo or image that you want to use as a background for your widget. Use the app’s tools to remove the background and save the image as a transparent PNG file. Next, open the Widgetsmith app and create a widget as you normally would. When customizing the widget, tap on the “Photo” option and choose the transparent image you created. Adjust the size and position of the widget to fit your desired layout, and you now have a transparent widget that seamlessly blends with your wallpaper.
Make the Most of Stunning Wallpapers
A great way to customize your iOS home screen is by using stunning wallpapers that reflect your personal style. Wallpapers can completely transform the look and feel of your home screen, and there are countless websites and apps that offer high-quality wallpapers for free.
When choosing a wallpaper, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Do you prefer minimalistic designs, vibrant colors, or nature-inspired themes? Once you have a specific style in mind, search for wallpapers that align with your vision. Websites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay offer a vast collection of free wallpapers that cater to various tastes. You can also explore wallpaper apps such as Vellum, Zedge, or WLPPR to discover unique and visually stunning backgrounds for your home screen.
Automatically Change iPhone Wallpaper with Just a Tap
If you’re someone who likes to switch up your wallpaper frequently, you’ll love this next tip. Did you know that you can set your iPhone to automatically change the wallpaper with just a tap? This feature allows you to have a different wallpaper every day or even every hour, giving your home screen a fresh look without any effort.
To enable automatic wallpaper changes, go to the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on “Wallpaper.” From there, select “Choose a New Wallpaper” and browse through your photo library to find the images you want to use. Once you have chosen an image, tap on “Set” and choose whether you want to set it as the lock screen, home screen, or both. After selecting the desired option, choose “Dynamic” or “Stills” depending on your preference. Now, tap on “Change” to set the wallpaper. To automate the wallpaper change, go back to the Wallpaper section in the Settings app and tap on “Automatically Change.” You can choose to have a new wallpaper every day or every time you unlock your iPhone. With this feature enabled, your home screen will always have a fresh and exciting look.
Keep a Track of Cool Home Screen Design Ideas
Sometimes, the best way to customize your iOS home screen is by seeking inspiration from others. There are countless creative individuals who share their unique home screen designs on social media platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram. Following accounts that specialize in home screen customization can provide you with a constant stream of new ideas to try out.
Create a separate folder in your favorite social media app and start following accounts that focus on iOS home screen customization. Whenever you come across a design that catches your eye, save it to your folder for future reference. You can also join online communities or forums dedicated to home screen customization, where you can connect with like-minded individuals and exchange ideas. By keeping track of cool home screen design ideas, you will always have a source of inspiration whenever you feel like giving your home screen a fresh look.
A Couple of Neat Ways to Keep the Clutter Away from the Home Screen
Now that you have customized your iOS home screen to perfection, it’s time to keep the clutter at bay. As you install new apps and download more widgets, it’s easy for your home screen to become cluttered and overwhelming. Thankfully, there are a couple of neat ways to organize your apps and widgets, ensuring that your home screen remains clean and visually appealing.
One strategy is to create folders to group similar apps together. To create a folder, simply drag one app icon onto another, and a folder will be automatically created. You can then give the folder a name and add more apps by dragging them into the folder. This allows you to declutter your home screen by keeping related apps in one place, making it easier to find what you need.
Another way to keep the clutter away is by using the App Library feature introduced in iOS 14. The App Library automatically organizes your apps into categories and creates a separate section on your home screen. To access the App Library, swipe to the rightmost page of your home screen. Here, you will find all your apps neatly organized in folders based on their category. This allows you to remove unnecessary app icons from your home screen while still having quick access to all your apps.
