How to Personalise Your iPhone With Widgets and Shortcuts
To personalise your iPhone, start by adding widgets to your Home Screen. Press and hold the screen, then select and customise widgets from Apple or third-party apps. Use apps like Widgetsmith for a unique touch. If you’re wondering how to personalise your iPhone, start by creating custom app icons with the Shortcuts app. Design your icons with tools like Microsoft Paint and replace standard ones for a fresh look. Adjust icon shapes and sizes for added flair. Explore settings by tapping and holding your widgets or icons for more options. Continue exploring these steps to reveal the full potential of your iPhone’s customisation features.
Customising the Home Screen
To personalise your iPhone’s Home Screen, start by adding and customising widgets from both Apple and third-party apps. Widgets are interactive elements that display information and enable quick actions. To add a widget, press and hold any blank space on your Home Screen until the icons jiggle. Tap the plus sign in the upper-left corner, then select your desired widget. You can change widget sizes by removing and re-adding them to fit your layout. Customise widget settings by tapping and holding on a widget, then selecting options like Edit Widget or Edit Stack. Use apps like Widgetsmith to create custom widgets, allowing you to tailor your Home Screen to your exact preferences and needs.

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Creating Custom Icons
Now it’s time to harness your creativity by designing unique app icons using the Shortcuts app. Experiment with various shapes and sizes to give your iOS home screen a personal touch. You can even use tools like Microsoft Paint to craft custom icons that reflect your style.
Designing Unique App Icons
Creating custom app icons on your iPhone allows you to personalise your home screen and make it uniquely yours. Experiment with various shapes and designs to craft icons that reflect your individual style. Utilise tools such as Microsoft Paint or other graphic design software to create these custom icons. Replace the standard app icons with your creations to enhance the visual appeal of your home screen. Keep in mind that tapping these custom icons may initially open the Shortcuts app before redirecting to the desired app, which could affect functionality. However, the trade-off is a distinctive interface that stands out. By designing unique app icons, you’ll elevate your iPhone’s aesthetics, showcasing your creativity and attention to detail.
Using Shortcuts App
- Open the Shortcuts app: Create a new shortcut and choose the app you want to customise.
- Design your icon: Use tools like Microsoft Paint to create your desired icon, and then add it to your shortcut.
- Add to home screen: Tap the share button, select ‘Add to Home Screen,’ and replace the default icon with your custom design.
Icon Shapes and Sizes
Once you’ve created your custom icons using the Shortcuts app, it’s important to understand how to adjust their shapes and sizes for a cohesive and visually appealing home screen. Explore graphic design tools like Microsoft Paint or other software to create unique icons that align with your aesthetic. iOS 14’s customisation capabilities allow you to replace standard icons, while iOS 16 enhances this with automatic adjustments based on Focus mode. Experiment with various designs and styles to find what truly resonates with you. Remember, consistency in icon shapes and sizes is key to a polished look. With a keen eye for detail, you can transform your home screen into a personalised masterpiece that stands out.
Adding Widgets
Adding widgets to your iPhone’s Home Screen provides quick access to essential information and app features. To get started, follow these steps:
- Touch and hold the Home Screen until the icons jiggle.
- Open the widget gallery by tapping the plus (+) icon at the top.
- Select a widget and size, then drag it to your desired spot.
You can interact with widgets by tapping them to perform tasks such as checking off items in Reminders or playing episodes in Podcasts. Customise your widgets by editing options, creating Smart Stacks for multiple widgets, and reordering them within the stack. If a widget is no longer needed, simply touch and hold it, select ‘Remove Widget,’ and confirm.

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Using Shortcuts
Harness the potential of the Shortcuts app to automate tasks and create custom shortcuts for a more efficient iPhone experience. With Shortcuts, you can design personalised shortcuts that enable quick access to specific features, apps, or settings with just a tap. Customise these shortcuts with unique icons and names to make them easily recognisable on your Home Screen. The app offers a vast array of actions and integrations, allowing you to streamline daily activities and boost productivity. Create complex workflows that combine multiple actions to automate repetitive tasks. By leveraging the capabilities of the Shortcuts app, you’ll not only save time but also open up a more powerful and personalised iPhone experience tailored to your needs.
Managing Apps
After setting up your custom shortcuts, it’s time to take control of your apps to create a more organised and personalised Home Screen. You can start by hiding apps from the Home Screen and sending them to the App Library. To access the App Library, simply swipe left on the last Home Screen. Here are three steps to manage your apps effectively:
- Hide Home Screens: Enter Jiggle mode and select or deselect entire Home Screens.
- Create Folders: Group similar apps together by dragging one app onto another.
- Move Apps: Rearrange apps by pressing and holding them, then dragging to your desired location.
Finding More Customisation Options
To access even more personalisation, explore third-party apps like Widgetsmith and Colour Widgets for unique customisation options. These apps let you tailor widgets to your taste, adding a personalised touch to your home screen. For custom icons, search for themed icon packs online or use resources like Iconfinder. Additionally, Apple’s Shortcuts app is invaluable for creating personalised shortcuts and automating tasks. Apps like Brass, Aesthetic Kit, and Themify offer quick aesthetic changes, making your iPhone visually appealing in no time. Stay updated with the latest iOS versions such as iOS 17, as they often introduce new features and enhanced customisation options. Mastering these tools will elevate your iPhone experience significantly.

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Frequently Asked Questions
You can customise widgets with shortcuts by opening the Shortcuts app, creating a shortcut for a specific action, and then adding that shortcut to a widget. This allows you to quickly perform tasks directly from your home screen.
To customise your iPhone with widgets, tap and hold any widget until it jiggles, then select ‘Edit Widget.’ Use apps like Widgetsmith to create bespoke designs and enhance your Home Screen’s functionality and visual appeal.
To create a custom shortcut on your iPhone, open the Shortcuts app, tap the ‘+’ icon, add your desired actions, assign a custom icon and name, then tap the ellipsis and select ‘Add to Home Screen.’ Enjoy easy access!
To customise your iPhone home screen, you can add widgets, change app icons, and rearrange apps. Long-press on the home screen until the apps begin to jiggle, then tap the “+” icon to add widgets or move apps around.
Widgets and custom icons were introduced in iOS 14 and are available in later versions like iOS 17.
Long-press on the home screen until the apps begin to jiggle, then tap the “+” icon at the top left. Search for the widget you want to add, select it, choose the size of the widget, and tap “Add Widget” to place it on your home screen.
Yes, when adding a widget, you can choose from different sizes to best fit your home screen layout.
Long-press on the home screen until the apps begin to jiggle, then tap the “+” icon at the top left. Search for the widget you want to add, select it, choose the size of the widget, and tap “Add Widget” to place it on your home screen.
Yes, when adding a widget, you can choose from different sizes to best fit your home screen layout.
Popular widget apps include Widgetsmith, Colour Widgets, and the Apple Reminders widget. These apps offer a variety of customisable widgets for your home screen.
Download Widgetsmith from the App Store, open the app, and select the widget size you want to customise. You can change the font, colours, and content. Once customised, add the widget to your home screen by following the steps to add a widget.
Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper. Select an image from your Photos app or from the provided wallpapers, then set it as your lock screen, home screen, or both.
As of iOS 16, you can add certain widgets to your lock screen. Long-press on the lock screen, tap “Customise,” and then tap the widget area to add widgets.
Long-press on the app or widget until a menu appears. Tap “Remove App” or “Remove Widget” and confirm your choice. For apps, you can also drag them to the App Library to remove them from the home screen without deleting them.
Long-press on the home screen until the apps begin to jiggle, then drag and drop the apps to your desired locations.
Open the Shortcuts app, create a new shortcut, and select “Add Action.” Choose “Scripting,” then “Open App,” and select the app you want. Tap the settings icon at the top right, select “Add to Home Screen,” choose a custom image for the icon, and tap “Add.”
Yes, shortcuts can be used to perform various actions like sending messages, opening specific web pages, or controlling smart home devices without fully opening an app.
Advanced customisation can include creating widgets with personalised data, using automation in the Shortcuts app, and setting up focus modes with custom home screens for different times of the day or activities.
You can add a calendar widget to your home screen by long-pressing on the home screen, tapping the “+” icon, and selecting the Calendar widget. This widget will show upcoming events and your schedule at a glance.
For more tips and detailed guides, you can visit Apple Support or check out user guides and tutorials on YouTube. Websites like formerly Twitter and tech blogs also offer great customisation ideas.
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