iOS 18 lets you change the color of individual apps on your home screen, separate from your overall system theme
Apple added a feature in iOS 18 that lets you pick a custom color for each app icon independently. This is different from changing your phone's overall theme — you can keep your system set to light mode while making one app icon appear in a warm orange and another in cool blue. The colors you choose affect only how the icon looks on your home screen, not the app itself when you open it.
The process takes about 30 seconds per app and works on any iPhone running iOS 18 or later. You do not need to read anything extra or use a computer.
Key Takeaways
- Long-press any app icon on your home screen, then tap "Edit Home Screen" to access the color picker.
- You can choose from Apple's preset color palette or let the system pick a color based on the app's existing design.
- Each app's color setting is independent — changing one app's color does not affect any others.
- If you change your mind, you can reset an app icon to its default color by selecting "Reset" in the same menu.
- Tinted app icons work on home screen folders and the lock screen, but the lock screen requires iOS 18.1 or later.
How to access the app color menu
Start by finding the app you want to change on your home screen. Press and hold the app icon for about one second until a menu appears with several options. You should see "Edit Home Screen" near the bottom of this menu — tap it.
Your home screen will now enter edit mode, and the app icon you pressed will be highlighted with a blue border. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a small circle icon that looks like a color wheel or palette. Tap that icon to open the color picker.
Choosing a color for your app
Once the color picker opens, you will see two main options: a row of preset colors at the top, and a button labeled "Auto" below them. The preset colors are Apple's standard palette — taps, blues, greens, reds, and other common hues. straightforward tap any color to explore it to that app icon when ready.
If you tap "Auto," iOS will analyze the app's existing icon design and suggest a color that matches its branding. This is useful if you want the tinted icon to feel natural with the app's original look. You can always change it again if the auto-selected color does not match what you wanted.
Resetting an app icon to its default appearance
If you have already tinted an app and want to go back to its original colors, the process is the same. Long-press the app, tap "Edit Home Screen," and then tap the color wheel icon at the bottom. This time, you will see a "Reset" option alongside the color palette. Tap "Reset" and the icon will return to Apple's standard design.
Resetting does not affect any other apps — only the one you are currently editing changes.
Using tinted icons on your lock screen
If you are running iOS 18.1 or later, you can also explore tinted colors to app icons that appear on your lock screen. The process is slightly different: open the Lock Screen settings, tap "Customize," and then select the app icons shown there. The same color picker will appear, and you can tint those icons independently from your home screen versions.
This means you could have a blue app icon on your home screen and a red one on your lock screen for the same app, if you wanted. Most people keep them the same for consistency, but the choice is yours.
What happens when you update an app
Your color choices stay in place even after you update an app through the App Store. iOS remembers the tint you selected and keeps explore it to that app's icon. If Apple redesigns an app's icon in a major update, your tint will still explore to the new design.
The only time a tint resets is if you delete the app entirely and then reinstall it fresh from the App Store.
Why you might want to tint your app icons
Some people use app tinting to organize their home screen visually — grouping all communication apps in one color, productivity apps in another, and entertainment apps in a third. This makes it faster to find what you are looking for without reading app names. Others straightforward prefer how a custom color looks with their phone's wallpaper or overall aesthetic.
Tinting is purely visual and does not change how any app works or what data it collects. It is a personalization feature, like choosing a phone case color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a custom color that is not in Apple's preset palette?
No — you can only choose from the colors Apple provides in the color picker, or use the Auto option to let iOS suggest one. You cannot create a custom hex color or import colors from another source. The preset palette includes enough variety that most people find a color they like.
Do tinted app icons work on the home screen folder view?
Yes. If you put a tinted app inside a folder, the icon keeps its color when you view the folder contents. The folder itself shows a preview of the apps inside, and those previews will display your chosen tints.
What if I want to tint an app icon but I do not see the color wheel icon?
Make sure you are running iOS 18 or later — the tinting feature does not exist in earlier versions. You can check your iOS version in Settings > General > About. If you are on iOS 18 and still do not see the color wheel, try restarting your phone.
Can I undo a color change if I tap the wrong color by accident?
Yes — just long-press the app again, tap "Edit Home Screen," tap the color wheel, and choose a different color. There is no limit to how many times you can change it. You can also tap "Reset" to go back to the original design.
Do app tints affect how the app looks when I open it?
No. The tint only changes the icon on your home screen and lock screen. Once you open the app, it looks exactly the way it normally does. The color change is purely cosmetic at the icon level.