By Natalie DeCoste

With the addition of iOS 14, Apple introduced several new features for its users. One of these features, which Android users are familiar with, is customizing your home screen. The process of customizing your screen to be both aesthetic and functional can be difficult, so we are here to help!

Step 1: Update

First, you have to make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS, which is currently 14.7.1. To update your phone, go into “Settings,” go under “General,” and click “Software Update” near the top of your screen.

Step 2: Choose a Theme

Now that your phone can have a custom home screen, you need to find your aesthetic. There are many different options for you to copy or draw inspiration from, and finding one that is both functional and pleasing to look at is key.

For inspiration, Pinterest or a simple Google images search will yield plenty of results. Try searching “aesthetic iPhone iOS 14 home screen” or similar keywords to find your perfect fit. 

Alongside picking your next theme, you will need to download the wallpaper, an icon pack, or graphics to replace your existing background and icon art (what you download will depend on what you want to replace).

Step 3: What You Need

When updating your home screen, you need to have two apps, Widgetsmith and Shortcuts. If you do not have or want Widgetsmith, there are many other widget creating apps available to consumers.

Shortcuts allows you to add widgets to your home screen and automate tasks via apps or by asking Siri. Widgets allow for quick-access functions so you can get a quick glance at apps like weather, your calendar, or the battery life of your Apple device. Widgetsmith also allows you to create a widget with whatever background color, font, and photo you pick to match your aesthetic.  

Step 4: Wallpaper

One of the first steps you should take when trying to achieve a new look for your home screen is changing the wallpaper. For a more professional appearance, we suggest more neutral tones with clean lines and a less graphic look. Of course, if you are a lover of Marvel movies, the Star Wars franchise, or Paris haute couture, feel free to pick a background that matches that look.

For this step, go into “Settings,” scroll down to “Wallpaper” (should be five tabs below “General”), then click on “Choose a New Wallpaper” to pick your desired wallpaper in your camera roll.

Step 5: App Icons

Changing your app icons is one of the best ways to add your own personal touch and maintain a cohesive theme. Changing app icons requires the use of the shortcuts app, which you should have already downloaded. While the list of steps seems long, the process is fairly easy.

  1. In the Shortcuts app, hit the + button in the top right-hand side of the “All Shortcuts” page to create a new shortcut.
  2. Select “Add Action” on the next page.
  3. Using the search feature, look up the “Open App” option and then select it.
  4. On the “New Shortcut” page, click on the “Choose” button next to “Open.”
  5. Then search for and select the app whose icon you want to change. 
  6. Once the app is selected, tap the three-dot icon on the top right-hand side beneath “Next.”
  7. On the “Details” page, give your shortcut a name (you can also give the shortcut a wakephrase for Siri to recognize on this page).
  8. Tap “Add to Home Screen.”
  9. Give your shortcut the name you want to appear beneath it on your home screen, and then tap the icon thumbnail next to the name you entered.
  10. Three options will appear that will allow you to change the icon of the shortcut. Click on “Choose Photo” and select your desired icon or graphic from your Camera Roll.
  11. Preview your changes and tap “Add” to add the app to your home screen.

Step 6: Widgets

Now that your app icons match your theme, you can take your homescreen to the next level by adding widgets. Here you will need to go into your Widgetsmith app to begin customizing the widgets you want.

  1. Pick your desired widget size (small, medium, or large) and add it by hitting the “Add (insert size)” button.
  2. Select the widget you just added and tap the “Default Widget” square to start the customization process.
  3. Once done personalizing the widget, click on the widget’s name in the top left corner to go back.
  4. Then select the widget’s name at the top to rename it.
  5. Hit “Save” in the top right to lock in your changes.
  6. Swipe to the farthest left page on your home screen, to the Widgets page.
  7. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Edit.”
  8. Select the “+” button in the top left corner of your screen.
  9. Search for the “Widgetsmith” app and select it.
  10. Tap the size of the widget you made and want to add to your home screen. 
  11. Select “Add Widget” at the bottom of the screen.

You can also make widgets out of existing apps you have. To do that, start at #6 above and search whatever app you have on your phone instead of searching Widgetsmith. 

Step 7: Rearrange

Now that you have all the necessary pieces, it is time to put them all together. Hold down on any app and select the “Edit Home Screen” option. Now you can move your apps and widgets around and put them in your desired location.