By Aileen Delgado 

Shortly after the release of the IOS 14 software on September 16th, Apple users rushed to the settings to get a chance to test its new features. Although many were excited to get a taste for all its new additions, many began to anticipate one particular aspect the most — customizable widgets and apps.

Users with this new update did not hesitate to get creative with this new feature. 

Screenshots have flooded all social platforms with people uniquely arranging their widgets, and even giving their entire home screens a particular theme of their choice. Whether it be widgets with color schemes, specific icons based off of their newest obsession (shows, games, characters, artists), or a simple layout with apple’s default widgets –– everyone has added their personal touch.

Along with those screenshots came people asking for tutorials. Many users have gone to the extent of creating twitter threads and TikToks to help those requesting a step-by-step guide. However, due to the several people sharing these guides, each one might be different or confusing. 

Here is an easier one you can follow:

1. Choose a Theme

To begin customizing, one must decide what route to take, whether that be a more minimalist direction or a more creative direction. 

If you would like to take a more moderate approach, think of your favorite colors or patterns. 

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As shown above, some have chosen to categorize apps by certain color shades, or organize apps by allowing each home screen slide to have a certain color group of apps. Others have also added a photo and calendar widget correlating with the color theme.

On the contrary, the majority of users have taken a more artistic approach. Many have decided to base themes off of their favorite musical artists, games, shows, movies, or aesthetics. 

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As shown in the Animal Crossing themed home screen, you can make or find icons which correlate to both the theme and apps. However, you can also match apps with any icon of your choice, as shown in the Kirby themed home screen.

2. Search for/Create Icons & Backgrounds

Once you have your theme planned out, you can go ahead and look for the icon pictures and wallpapers you’d like to use. You can also create your own by using Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, but many prefer the easy option: good old Pinterest and Google.

Collect all of your images and save them into a separate photo album, so it is easier to find when matching them to apps. 

3. Navigating Through Apple’s “Shortcuts”

First, you want to remove all apps from your home screen and allow them to move to the app library. Then, go to settings and have your new home screen wallpaper already displayed. 

Now, you can begin to customize your new app icons.

Open the Apple application “Shortcuts” and press the plus button on the upper right corner to create your first shortcut. Click the “Add Action” button and search for the “Open App” action. After selecting the action, then click “Choose” and select an app. 

Click the “…” icon on the upper right corner to insert a shortcut name. After inserting a name, press “Add to Home Screen” and insert the same name before clicking the blue outlined shortcut icon to insert a picture. Finally, click “Add.” 

Repeat these steps until you have officially customized all app icons.

4. Customizing Home Screen Widgets

In order to change the style of your widgets, you can download the apps Widgetsmith and Color Widgets. 

While Widgetsmith displays an array of different widgets that Apple does not bring, such as moon phases or a customizable photo widget, Color Widgets can make your calendar widget as colorful as you want it to be. 

Through Widgetsmith, you can change the color, background, size, and font of your widget while allowing it to fit your theme. When using Color Widgets, there are a variety of calendar widget styles for you to personalize. You can even add your personalized background picture to your calendar widget.

Once you have created your widgets on each app and saved them, go to the home screen and hold down to edit. As you would do to add a regular widget, press the plus button on the upper right corner, and search for each app to find your saved widgets.

Then, arrange them all to your liking.

5. Show off your new home screen

Once you have made final arrangements and changes to your home screen, be sure to show off your screenshots on all social media platforms so others can appreciate your creativity and get inspired to make their own. 

Lastly, make sure to encourage others to get the update so they can experience all of its new techniques and features; your home screens will thank you.