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Users have already updated to iOS 14, the new version of the iPhone operating system. After downloading, they are discovering very interesting news. One of them is the ability to customize the icons and widgets on the home screen. It has even gone viral on social networks to show how the 'Home' has been. Do you want to customize the icons and widgets of your iPhone? In this tutorial we show you how.
Customize app icons in iOS 14
This trick is used to change the design of the icons of the applications in iOS 14. It consists of creating a shortcut from the Apple app so that it opens a specific app. As we can add the shortcuts to the home screen and customize the icons, it serves to replace the original app and thus have a different style.
First of all, what we have to do is move those applications that we want to change to the library. To do this, we just keep pressing on the application until the icons start to shake. Next, click on the '-' that appears in the corner and select the option that says 'Move to app library'. In addition, it is advisable to download the images that we want to add as an icon. It can be any image, but it is best to have a square format.
Next, download the 'Shortcuts' app from the App Store. It's free and we don't need to register. Once installed, enter the app and click on the '+' button. Then click on 'Add Action'. Click on the 'Scripts' button and select 'Open App'. Now, next to 'Open', the option 'Select' will appear. Click on it and choose the application you want to customize. For example, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp… It can be any of the ones on your iPhone.
When you have selected the application, you will automatically return to the start of the shortcut. Now comes the part where we must select the icon. To do this, click on the button with three dots that appears next to the name of the shortcut. Next, in 'Shortcut name' write the name of the application. Then, click on the button that says 'Add to home screen'. Where it says 'New Shortcut', change the name to the app name again.
To add an icon, click on the image that appears right next to the name. Then click on 'Select photo' and choose the photo you want to appear as an icon. Adjust the size and click 'Select'. Finally, click on 'Add'.
Now, the new icon will appear on the home screen. Pressing will open the Shortcuts app that will quickly take care of opening Instagram.
Customize iOS 14 widgets
In order to customize the widgets, it is also necessary to go to third-party applications. One of the positive points of the App Store is that no app is included if it does not meet a series of strict requirements, so we can guarantee that the applications we show work perfectly on the iPhone.
The first app is called Widgetsmith and it allows you to add calendar, time or clock widgets with different customization options. You can download it for free here. Upon entering, it will ask us to select between the different sizes of widgets available in iOS 14, as well as the different formats. By pressing, we can access a preview of that widget. To customize it, click again on the central icon.
A new tab will open with all the customization options, where we can choose the type of widget (calendar, clock, weather…). Unfortunately, some of these are paid. However, there are also very interesting free options. It is best to set a clock or calendar widget.
When you have selected the design that you like the most, you just have to slide between the different tabs and customize it to your liking.
- Font: select the font or style of the clock
- Tint Color: allows you to select the color of the people
- Background Color: Here we can select the tone of the widget's background.
Now, we just have to go back. The preview will show the new design we have created. Click where it says 'Save' to save it.
Finally, we go to the home screen and press on an empty area until the icons start to shake . Next, we click on the '+' button that appears in the upper area and scroll down until we see the option that says 'Widgetsmith'. Now, we select the size and click on 'Add Widget'. The widget that we have created will appear automatically and we can move it wherever we want.
Add photo widget in iOS 14
So we can add a Widget in iOS 14.
The Widgetsmith app also allows you to add widgets with photos, however, it is a much more complicated process. The simplest thing is to download a specific application, called Photo Widget and it is available in the App Store for free. You can download it here.
The application is very easy to use. We just have to click on the '+' button and select one or up to 30 images. Next, we go to the home screen and click on the option to add widgets. In the list we have to select 'Photo Widget' and choose its size. Finally, click on 'Add Widget'. The photo will now appear on the home screen.
