11 Best Tips and Ideas to Customize Your iPhone Home Screen

Do you want to give your iPhone home screen a fresh and personalized look? With the introduction of iOS 14, Apple has opened up a world of home screen customization options. From adding widgets to removing unnecessary pages, there are plenty of ways to make your home screen truly unique. In this article, we will explore the best tips and ideas to customize your iPhone home screen.

Change Wallpaper

The wallpaper you choose sets the foundation for your home screen's overall look and feel. To change your wallpaper, go to Settings > Wallpaper. You can choose from a variety of options, including solid colors, gradients, live wallpapers, and even your own images. Consider selecting a wallpaper that complements your app icons, widgets, and other elements on the home screen.

Hide or Reorder Pages

To declutter your home screen and keep only the pages you need, you can easily hide or remove extra pages without deleting any apps. Simply touch and hold any empty space on the home screen until the icons start shaking. Tap on the dots at the bottom to enter customization mode. From there, you can hide or delete pages as desired. You can also change the order of pages by dragging them to the desired position.

Change Home Screen Pages Using Focus Mode

Linking Focus mode to the home screen can help you display different pages based on your current activities or needs. For example, you can create a reading-focused home screen with only book apps or a fitness-focused home screen with health-related apps and widgets. To set this up, go to Settings > Focus > [Desired profile] and select the pages to display.

Keep Home Screen Clean

With the introduction of the App Library, removing apps from the home screen no longer uninstalls them. This allows you to keep your home screen clean by only displaying the most important apps. To remove an app from the home screen, touch and hold the app icon, select “Remove app,” and choose “Remove from home screen.” Alternatively, you can delete apps completely by selecting “Delete app.”

Keep Apps in the App Library Only

If you prefer to keep your home screen completely clean and prevent new apps from appearing on it, you can go to Settings > Home screen and select “App Library Only” under Newly downloaded apps. This way, newly installed apps will only appear in the App Library, and you can manually add them to the home screen if desired.

Color Code Apps

Organizing apps based on their color can create a visually appealing and cohesive home screen. Consider grouping all apps of the same color on one page or organizing them into folders based on color. To move an app to a different page or folder, touch and hold the app icon and drag it to the desired location.

Define Folder Purpose

Instead of naming folders based on categories like music or productivity, try defining the purpose of the apps within the folder. For example, use verbs like watch, play, write, listen, navigate, photograph, read, share, shop, talk, etc. to name your folders. This adds a personal touch and makes it easier to find specific apps.

Use Emoji Names

If you enjoy using emojis, why not use them as folder names? Choose emojis that you can easily associate with the apps inside the folder. This adds a fun and playful element to your home screen customization.

Use Widgets

Widgets are a great way to quickly access important information from various apps without opening them. You can add widgets by pressing any empty space on the home screen and tapping the “+” icon at the top. Swipe through the available list to select the right size and tap “Add widget.” You can customize widgets, move them around, and even create your own widgets using apps like Widgetsmith, Widget Wizard, and Color Widgets.

Change App Icons

While Apple doesn't provide a straightforward method for changing app icons, you can use the Apple Shortcuts app to achieve this. There are also websites and apps available that offer custom app icons. By changing app icons, you can further personalize your home screen and create a cohesive visual theme. Just keep in mind that badges may not show up on custom app icons.

Reset Home Screen

If you want to start fresh and return to the default home screen layout, you can easily do so by resetting your home screen. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset home screen layout. This will remove all customizations and allow you to begin setting up your home screen from scratch.

Remember, customizing your iPhone home screen takes time and patience. Take inspiration from home screen ideas on platforms like Pinterest and other websites to create the look you desire. With these tips and ideas, you can make your home screen truly unique and tailored to your preferences.