I’m looking to customize my iPhone by changing app icons, but I want to avoid using the Shortcuts app. It’s a bit complex and time-consuming for me. Is there another way to do this? Any apps or settings I can use for an easier customization process? Thanks!
You’re not really going to find a way to change app icons on iOS easily without using the Shortcuts app. Trust me, I’ve tried a bunch of workarounds and nothing really sticks or is as customizable. Apps like ‘Widgetsmith’ and ‘Color Widgets’ let you create home screen widgets that can sort of mimic the look of custom app icons, but they’re not exactly the same.
The key problem here is that iOS is pretty locked down in terms of what you can customize. Android on the other hand gives you more leeway to change things up. That said, you could always try looking for third-party apps in the App Store, but be cautious, as not all of them are reliable.
If you’re worried about the complexity of the Shortcuts app for changing icons, it becomes much easier once you’ve done it a couple of times. You basically create a shortcut that opens the app, and then add that shortcut to your home screen with a custom icon. Yes, it’s a bit time-consuming up front, but you get used to it.
If simplicity and less complexity are your goals, there may not be a perfect solution yet. Apple’s ecosystem focuses on a certain standard of user experience, which means less freedom to mess around.
In the meantime, maybe you should consider focusing on other aspects of iPhone customization, like wallpapers, widget setups, and creating unique layouts to make your phone stand out!
Actually, waldgeist makes some good points about the limitations of iOS, but there’s an interesting workaround I discovered which involves the Files app and custom profile installation. It’s a bit techie but honestly not as complex as Shortcuts.
First, you’d need to find or design the icons you want for your apps. These need to be saved in a specific format and resolution, typically 180x180 pixels for iOS icons. Save those icons to your iCloud Drive or the Files app on your iPhone.
Next, you’d create a configuration profile using an online tool like ‘iOS Icon Theme Generator.’ These tools generate a profile you can install on your iPhone, and they assign the custom icons to your apps. It’s a bit like creating a new theme for your device but way more user-friendly than Shortcuts.
Once you’ve generated the profile, download and install it. Go to Settings > General > Profile and manage your icons from there. It’s a cleaner and quicker solution than Shortcuts, though not officially ‘sanctioned’ by Apple. This means you should be cautious and only use reputable websites to generate profiles.
However, if you’re super concerned about security, remember that Apple’s ecosystem does offer less leeway for a reason—keeping your device secure and streamlined. If you’re open to a minor hassle upfront for the sake of a unique look, you might find this method more straightforward.
Lastly, let’s talk apps. While waldgeist mentioned ‘Widgetsmith’ and ‘Color Widgets’ already, don’t overlook ‘Launch Center Pro.’ It’s robust and might offer the added functionality without compromising too much on simplicity.
Ultimately, if tweaking and tinkering are what you enjoy, then perhaps exploring the intricate world of Android might be your best bet for broader customization options. But hey, for a quick and relatively secure solution, creating a custom profile can often be the middle ground.