Top Highlights
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Expanded Customization: iOS 26 enhances home screen customization with options to resize icons, remove labels, and apply color tints using Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language.
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Centralized Customize Menu: Access all customization options through the centralized Customize menu, allowing changes to be applied across all home screen pages simultaneously.
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Visual Impact of Icon Changes: Users can switch to larger app icons that eliminate labels for a cleaner look, and explore various appearance styles—Default, Dark, Clear, and Tinted—that change how icons display.
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Limitations Persist: Despite increased flexibility, iOS 26 still lacks freeform icon placement, custom icon packs, and per-app color adjustments, maintaining a structured approach to home screen design.
Customize Your iPhone Home Screen with iOS 26
Apple has taken home screen personalization to another level with iOS 26. This update offers enhanced visual control over app icons, allowing users to create a more tailored experience.
To start customizing, press and hold an empty area on your home screen. Soon, apps will jiggle, signaling it’s time to edit. Tap “Edit” in the top left corner, then select “Customize” from the menu. A customization panel appears along the bottom of your screen. Changes apply to all pages, streamlining the process.
One exciting feature is the ability to change icon size. Select the icon that looks like two squares to enable Large App Icons mode. This option makes app labels disappear and enlarges the icons, creating a cleaner look. However, fewer icons fit on each screen. For traditional icons and labels, simply tap the same button again.
Moreover, iOS 26 offers four icon appearance styles: Default, Dark, Clear, and Tinted. Choosing the Clear option adds transparency, allowing your wallpaper to show through. Tinted mode enables all icons to adopt a uniform color. Use the eyedropper tool to select a specific color from your wallpaper, making your home screen feel cohesive and unique.
Arranging apps remains straightforward. Touch and hold an empty spot to enter jiggle mode, then drag icons to your preferred positions. You can cluster apps, align them to one side, or create visual flows with your wallpaper. This layout flexibility makes using your phone feel intuitive and personalized.
Despite these enhancements, some limitations persist. Custom icon packs and freeform placement outside a grid are still absent. Users cannot select per-app icon colors, and options apply globally rather than on a page-by-page basis.
While Apple maintains a structured approach, iOS 26 delivers significant customization options that transform your device. By utilizing icon resizing, varied appearances, and thoughtful arrangement, you can craft an iPhone home screen that truly reflects your style and enhances usability.
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