Let’s be real, you probably spend more time with your phone than with most people. So when it comes to your home screen and lock screen, why not customize it so it speaks to your unique aesthetic and personality? Whether it’s your lock screen or a home screen wallpaper design, if someone picks up your phone, you want them to know instantly that it’s yours! And now, with the new iOS 14 home screen customization feature, you can take iPhone personalization to a whole new level.

With the release of iOS 14, there’s a whole new way to do widgets, allowing you to customize them to suit your personal style. Widgets are used for quick access to your home screen to get information about reminders, weather, appointments, etc. There is no limit to how many times you can customize your widgets, so you can switch them up as often as you like But before we dive into how to customize your iOS 14 home screen and dish out some fun design ideas, let’s review what’s new in the latest iOS.

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What’s New for iOS 14 Home Screen Configuration?

There’s lots to love about the new iOS 14 update. One of the main upgrades (and the one we’re most excited about!) cover widgets. Historically, you could only access widgets in the Today view, but Apple now allows widgets to be added to the main home screen to coexist with your other apps. You will discover redesigned widgets that are more eye-catching, widgets in different sizes (small, medium, and large), widgets for many Apple apps (we’ll get into these further down), widget gallery (the main place for all your widgets from Apple and third parties), a Siri suggestions widget, and widget stacks (create stacks of up to 10 widgets). It also includes a feature called Smart Stack, which is a set of widgets you can swipe through that uses Artificial Intelligence to show you the right widget at the right time based on things like time, location, and activity. Another exciting update with iOS 14 is the introduction of the App Library, a new space at the end of the home screen pages that organizes all of your apps into one simple view.

Who Can Have iOS 14?

Those with the specific iPhones we’ve listed below can partake in this iOS 14 home screen fun. If you have an Android, you’re still able to customize your home screen though! Check out how to make a custom phone wallpaper.

iPhones that have access to iOS 14:

iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone X
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
iPod touch (7th generation)

Which Apps Have Widgets in iOS 14?

With the iOS14 update, the following apps have Apple widgets:

Weather, Clock, Calendar, News, Maps, Fitness, Photos, Reminders, Stocks, Music, TV, Tips, Notes, Shortcuts, Battery, Screen Time, Files, Podcasts, and Siri Suggestions.

Why Use iOS 14 Home Screen Widgets?

Why would you want to use iOS14 home screen widgets? The simple answer is because it allows us to access our favorite and most-used Apple apps quicker, aka it keeps our phones (and sometimes our lives) more organized! And now with widgets coming in a variety of sizes, your home screen can be an even more user-friendly, personalized experience. Don’t want to reach for your glasses every time you grab your phone? Go with the large size! Like inspirational quotes? Use the Motivation widget to see a new one populate on your phone everyday!

It’s completely up to you how you want to configure and place your favorite widgets. It’s kind of like hanging up art on your walls at home, without the hammer and nails, and all depends on your interests, activities, and priorities. We’re convinced that just like fingerprints, no two home screens are alike! Are you someone who prefers to place your widgets within galleries or do you like to see them all at once? There is no wrong answer here! The best part is that you can customize your home screen widgets to your heart’s desire and

can change things up any time.

How to Customize a Home Screen for iOS 14?

Now onto the fun part of customizing your home screen! To add your favorite widgets to your home screen, follow the below steps:

Tap and hold on the home screen until the icons begin to wiggle.
Tap + in the top left corner.
Find a widget you’d like to add to your home screen.
Scroll left or right to choose the size of the widget (small, medium, or large).
Tap Add Widget.
Drag the widget and place it where you want on your home screen.

What Is the Best App for Icon Customization?

When it comes to customizing your iOS 14 home screen (we love a cozy fall phone theme!), the PicsArt app is a great resource that provides endless creative possibilities! You can make as many icons as you’d like using PicsArt’s quick & easy to apply (or create from scratch!) stickers, #FreetoEdit photos, trendy effects, and filters, one-of-a-kind masks, and more.

There are so many options that we’ve created a few Replays to get you started on your customization journey! Ever wish you could talk with your pets? You can add a fun dog sticker to your text message icon! Have a favorite drink? Sip up this ‘90s style boba icon Replay! Craving a green aesthetic? This neon grunge aesthetic will make you the king or queen of Gotham. Is pink glitter all over your Instagram feed? Take it to the next level with this unphased glam pink aesthetic icon. Looking for some calm in your life? Layer this neutral look over all of your app icons for a calm home screen aesthetic.

Once you’ve created your icons, you can pick a matching wallpaper or vice versa! We’re loving the trendy look of a pink aesthetic with varying shades of pink across your wallpaper and icons!

How to Customize App Icons

Now that you’ve seen how quick and easy it is to create your own icons with the above Replays, it’s time to take it to the next level! Customize your own iOS 14 home screen icons using PicsArt in these easy steps:

Open the PicsArt app and tap on the pink plus sign at the bottom of your screen to open the editor and upload a photo. You can also choose to work off of PicsArt’s #FreetoEdit photos, Backgrounds, or Color Backgrounds.
To add a sticker or two (or more!), tap on Stickers from the editor bar at the bottom of your screen.
Scroll through popular stickers or do a search for the sticker of your choice.
Once you’re happy with your icon design, tap Next and save it to your device.

Now that you’ve made your custom icon image, it’s time to replace it with an existing one on your home screen.

Open Apple’s Shortcuts app.
Open it and click + at the top right of the screen.
Tap Add Action > Scripting > Open App > Choose, and select the app icon you want to customize.
Click Next in the top right corner, name the app, and click Done.
Click the three dots at the top right corner.
Click Add to Home Screen.
Tap the icon under Home Screen Name and Icon section and click Choose Photo.
Pick the photo from your camera roll you’d like to use as your new icon and click Choose and Add.

You did it! Now you can sit back and bask in the glory of your new home screen icon!

See the above steps in action in this custom fall aesthetic home screen tutorial:

Other Ideas on How to Customize Your Home Screen

Now that you’ve learned the steps, the world — or really, your home screen — is your oyster! If you’re looking for some other design inspiration, simply follow the steps in this tutorial to get a black and purple neon aesthetic.

Feeling artistic? Your phone is literally a canvas waiting for you to paint a masterpiece on it! Check out how to give your phone a museum-worthy home screen in this tutorial:

Make Awesome

PicsArt all-in-one Photo and Video Editor, Collage, and Sticker Maker is the world’s largest creative platform with over 150 million monthly active creators and influencers. PicsArt has collaborated with major artists and brands like Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, Gwen Stefani, Maroon 5, Lizzo, Meghan Trainor, One Direction, MONSTA X, Warner Bros. Entertainment, iHeartMedia, Condé Nast, and more. Download the app today to level-up your photos and videos with thousands of quick & easy editing tools, trendy filters, fun stickers, and brilliant backgrounds. Unleash your creativity with PicsArt and upgrade to Gold for awesome premium perks!

customize iPhone icons

How to Customize Your iOS 14 Home Screen