How to Change App Icons iOS 26 in 5 Minutes

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By Jenefey Aaron

2025-09-17 / iOS 26

You upgrade to iOS 26 and suddenly those ugly app icons ruin your screen, while the wallpaper feels completely off. Many users are complaining about this online, ranting that the new look doesn't match their style. It's all over the internet, and people are searching for quick fixes.

That's why learning how to change app icons iOS 26 has become a must. With simple customization, you can finally make your iPhone look the way you want.

Part 1. How to Change App Icons iOS 26: What to Know First

1. What is Liquid Glass Design

iOS 26 brings in Apple's new Liquid Glass design. Icons, widgets, and controls now have a glossy, glass-like surface that shifts with light and reflects your wallpaper. It almost feels alive moving and changing as you swipe through the screen.

liquid glass design

The effect is bold and futuristic, but not everyone is a fan. Many say the app icons are too big and don't blend well with wallpapers. While it looks sleek, the shine and size can feel overwhelming, and some users even notice the iOS 26 icon blurry issue.

app icons are too big

2. Can You Change iOS App Icons?

Yes, you can! Apple now officially allows customizing app icons through the Shortcuts app. With this feature, you can swap the default design for any image you like, match icons with your wallpaper, or even resize them.

This is part of Apple's push toward more personalization after years of limited options. For those annoyed by the large, glossy icons, iOS app icon localization gives you a way to redesign your Home Screen exactly how you want.

Part 2. How to Change App Icons on iOS 26 Step by Step

Customizing your iPhone's Home Screen is easier than ever with iOS 26. You can now change how your app icons look by adjusting their size, adding a tint, or even making them clear for a clean, minimal style. Below are a few simple ways how to change app icons ios 26 to give your Home Screen a fresh look.

1. Access Home Screen Customization Menu

  • Go to your Home Screen.
  • Touch and hold the background until the icons start to jiggle.
  • Tap Edit at the top of the screen, then choose Customize.
  • screen customization

    From here, how to change app icons iphone ios 26:

  • Tap Large App Icon. (App names disappear in this mode.)
  • change app icons
  • Tap Dark. Or choose Auto to match your system's light/dark mode.
  • Tap Clear for translucent icons. You can set them to Light, Dark, or Auto.
  • Tap Tinted. Adjust the sliders to pick your color, or use the eyedropper to match your wallpaper.
change app icons color

2. Choose Icon Style

Now decide how you want your icons to appear:

  • Long-press on the background until the apps shake.
  • Tap Edit and then Customize.
  • app icons style
  • Select your style:

Clear: A light, frosted look that blends with your wallpaper. You can keep it in Light, Dark, or Auto.

Tinted: Add a soft wash of color using sliders or choose a shade directly from your background.

Dark: Gives your apps and widgets a deeper look, perfect at night.

choose app icons style

If you ever want to go back, just repeat the steps and select Default.

3. Apply Custom Icons via Shortcuts

Apple's built-in options are nice, but if you want complete control over how your Home Screen looks, the Shortcuts app is the way to go. With it, you can swap out default icons for custom designs whether minimal, colorful, or themed to match your wallpaper.

Here's how to Customize icons with shortcuts in iOS 26:

  • Open the Shortcuts app. (If you don't have it, download it from the App Store.)
  • Tap the + button in the top right to create a new shortcut.
  • all shortcuts
  • Select Add Action, then search for Open App.
  • Choose the app you want to customize.
  • Tap the arrow beside the shortcut name and pick Add to Home Screen.
  • add to home screen
  • Tap the app icon and choose Photo or File to upload your custom design.
  • Rename it to your liking.
  • Tap Add, and the custom icon will appear on your Home Screen.
shortcut appears on screen

Part 3. Bonus Tips to Change App Icons iOS 26

Changing icons is fun, but sometimes iOS 26 can act up after updates freezing, crashing, or even refusing to apply custom changes properly. That's where Tenorshare ReiBoot comes in handy. It's a trusted iOS repair tool that not only fixes over 150 system issues but also lets you upgrade or downgrade iOS 26 without losing data. If your phone feels buggy while customizing, ReiBoot can save you a lot of stress.

Key advantages of ReiBoot:

  • Enter or exit Recovery Mode with one click, free.
  • Fix iOS issues like black screen, boot loop, or Apple logo stuck.
  • Safely upgrade or downgrade iOS 26 without iTunes or jailbreak.
  • No risk of data loss during repair.
  • Reset your iPhone to factory settings if needed.

How to Downgrade iOS 26 to fix app icons is so big Using Tenorshare ReiBoot

  • Install ReiBoot on your computer and connect your iPhone with a USB cable. Tap Trust if asked.

    ios 26 beta downgrade
  • Open ReiBoot and select iOS Upgrade/Downgrade from the main menu.

    how to downgrade ios 26 beta to 18
  • Choose Downgrade. ReiBoot will show all available signed iOS versions.

    downgrade ios 26 beta
  • Click Download to get the firmware file for the version you want.

    remove ios 26
  • Once ready, click Initiate Downgrade. Your iPhone will restart with the older iOS installed no data lost.

    downgrade from ios 26 beta

Want to go back to iOS 18 after updating to iOS 26? This guide will help you:

Part 4. FAQs on How to Change App Icons iOS 26

Q1. How to get glass icons on iOS 26?

To get the glass effect, long-press your Home Screen, tap Edit, then Customize, and choose Clear. You can set it to Default, Dark, or Tinted for different looks.

Q2. Will iOS 26 have circle icons?

No, iOS 26 does not support circle icons. Apple still uses the rounded-square design. You can only change their size, add tints, or make them translucent.

Q3. Can I revert to the default app icons after customization?

Yes. Open Edit, then Customize, and select Default. Your icons will return to the original iOS 26 style instantly.

Conclusion

iOS 26 looks fresh with its Liquid Glass design, but many users feel the icons are too big or don't match their style. Luckily, learning how to change app icons iOS 26 gives you full control to customize your Home Screen. And if you face update or system issues, Tenorshare ReiBoot is a reliable tool to fix them safely. This way, your iPhone stays stylish and runs smoothly.

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