Changing Icons Instructions
Setting Widgets

How to change icons in iOS 14, and why you might need it.

The redesigned widgets are one of the most important changes in the iOS 14 update. They appeared in the system several years ago, but now they can be used not only on a separate panel, but on any page of the desktop, anywhere on the screen.

With the release of the new version of the operating system for the iPhone iOS 14, a number of new features have become available to users. First, it became possible to replace application icons with custom ones. That is, literally, users were able to change the icon of any application to a homemade one or downloaded from the Internet. Technically, this feature was available before, but it was not very popular.

The second notable innovation is the improved widgets. The widgets themselves were available for iOS before, but their placement was only possible on a separate screen for widgets. Now widgets can be placed on any screen of your iPhone, right along with the icons. Apple probably expected that such a solution would help users to fine-tune the iPhone for themselves, thus increasing their productivity: for example, installing interactive widgets with notes, to-do list and meeting schedules. But something didn’t go according to plan.

IPhone and Pinterest users rushed to make their own unique desktop designs and share them on social networks – Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook. Millions of users around the world have begun experimenting with the look of the home screen of Apple phones. The range of possible options was incredible – you can find icons in the form of a delicate palette of colors without any icons on them, or icons from the minecraft universe, and even retro icons that copy the Windows95 style.

The story of a guy who managed to make money selling a set of icons became especially sensational. Selling icons for $ 28, he sold over 300 copies of his set in just a few hours and thus earned over $ 10,000, while spending only 3 hours drawing all the icons. Not a bad startup idea.

So what are these icons and widgets – just temporary entertainment for users, or is it a useful tool? Only time will tell. Now let’s move on to why you are here at all – instructions on replacing icons and installing widgets in iOS 14.

How to Change iOS Icons

  1. Open the Shortcuts app settings on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Press the Plus (+) button on the right top of the screen.
  3. Press Add Action button then.

4. Search for Open App in search area.
5. Choose Open App and press it.

6. Look for the iOS 14 app icon you want to change and select.
7. Tap those three dots in the top-right.
8. Tap Add to Home Screen.

9. Tap the placeholder iOS 14 App icon.
10. From the drop-down menu, select Take Photo, Choose Photo, or Choose File, depending on where your replacement app icon image is located.
12. Select your replacement image.
13. In the text field, rename the app as you want it to appear on the home screen.
14. Tap Add.

15. Tap Done. Your Shortcut has now been created.
16. Return to the home screen.

You can also watch Step by Step video tutorial about changing iOS icons

How to set iOS 14 Homescreen Widgets

  1. Download the Widget customizer app Widgetsmith by David Smith on your iPhone. (Or many other widget apps recently added to the app store)
  2. Load up Widgetsmith and pick the size of the widget you would like to change.
  3. Once you select the Widget you want to change you will be able to change the iOS 14 app icons colors fonts and more.
  4. Next save your updates when you are finished.
  5. Go back to your home screen and press and hold to enter jiggle mode (Home screen edit mode) and hit Edit.
  6. Hit the Plus sign (+) in the left top of the screen and look for the Widgetsmith app.
  7. Choose the widget you want to add and select edit.