With iOS 18, Apple finally introduces the ability to change app colors and themes natively, giving users unprecedented control over their device’s appearance. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to personalize your iPhone apps with the new features in iOS 18.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure:
Your iPhone is running the iOS 18 beta. If you haven’t installed it yet, follow a guide to install the iOS 18 beta on your device.
Step-by-Step Guide
Access Home Screen Customization
From your iPhone’s Home Screen, press and hold an empty area until the apps start jiggling.
Tap on Edit in the top left corner.
Customize App Appearance
Select Customize.
You will see options to choose between Automatic, Dark, Light, and Tinted.
Choose Your Theme
Automatic: This option adjusts the theme based on your iPhone's settings, switching between light and dark modes automatically.
Dark: Select this to apply a dark theme to your app icons. Note that, in the beta, this change currently only applies to Apple’s first-party apps.
Light: This will set a light theme for your app icons.
Tinted: This option lets you choose a custom color to apply to all your app icons.
Adjust Icon Size
You can also choose between small (default) and large app icons depending on your preference for icon visibility and space usage.
Apply Tint to App Icons
If you select Tinted, you can pick a custom color that will apply to both first and third-party apps. This feature is fully functional in the first iOS 18 beta.
Things to Keep in Mind
In the current beta, color changes apply universally to all apps. Individual app color customization is not yet available.
The dark mode for app icons presently supports only Apple’s native apps, but support for third-party apps is expected in future updates.
By following these steps, you can easily customize your iPhone’s look with the new iOS 18 features. This level of personalization allows you to make your device truly unique, reflecting your style and preferences.
