How to Rename Apps on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tired of the boring, generic app names that come standard on your iPhone? With just a few taps, you can give your apps fun, creative names that put your own spin on your iPhone experience.

Understand the Capabilities and Restrictions of Renaming Apps

Before jumping in, it’s good to understand what you can and can’t do when renaming iPhone apps:

You can rename most third-party apps downloaded from the App Store. However, you cannot rename Apple's default system apps.

Changing an app's name does not affect its functionality in any way—it simply changes how it appears visually on your home screen.

While app renaming gives you lots of creative flexibility, avoid names that are excessively long or confusing.

Stick to simple, intuitive names for the best user experience.

Step 1: Download the Shortcuts App

The secret to renaming apps lies in the Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed on newer iPhones and can be downloaded for free on older models.

Open the App Store and search for Shortcuts—the app icon looks like a workflow diagram. Download and install Shortcuts if you don't already have it.

Step 2: Create a New Shortcut for the App You Want to Rename

Open Shortcuts and tap the + button to create a new shortcut. Search for and select the Open App function.

Tap the word App next to Open and select the app you want to rename from your list.

Step 3. Add the Shortcut to Your Home Screen

Tap the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner and select Add to Home Screen. This is where you'll rename the app.

Step 4. Customize the Name and Icon

In the Home Screen Name and Icon section, replace the text with your preferred custom name.

You can also tap the icon image to upload a custom icon. Get creative and have fun with it!

Step 5: Add the Shortcut to Save Your Changes

Tap Add in the top-right corner to add your personalized shortcut to your home screen. It will function just like the original app!

Organize Your Renamed Apps for an Efficient Home Screen

Now that your apps have fresh, new names, you can organize them into folders and themes:

1. Group related apps—like social media apps or streaming platforms—inside labeled folders.
2. Coordinate your app names and icons around themes like holidays, hobbies, or internal jokes.
3. Put your most-used apps on the home page and give them shorter names for easy access.

Handy Tips for Seamless App Renaming

Follow these pro tips as you rename your iPhone's apps:

1. Double check app names before saving to avoid typos or duplicates.
2. Periodically re-enter jiggle mode to reorganize your renamed apps.
3. If an altered app won't open correctly, try restoring its original name.
4. Use emojis creatively, but don't over-embellish app names.

Troubleshooting Common App Renaming Problems

While glitches are rare, you may encounter some minor issues:

1. If an icon reverts to its default name, ensure you properly exited jiggle mode after renaming that app.
2. Apple’s pre-installed apps generally can't be altered due to system limitations.
3. Try restarting your iPhone if a renamed app refuses to open or work properly.

Conclusion

With this easy guide, you can quickly personalize your home screen in a way that boosts your productivity, creativity, and overall user experience.

So have fun, get imaginative, and make your iPhone your own with customized app names!