Why change your home screen on iOS 16?
Changing the home screen on iOS 16 is an exciting way to add some personal flair to your iPhone. With each new update, Apple introduces new functionalities and features that enhance the user experience. However, the look and feel of the home screen remain relatively constant across updates. Fortunately, the introduction of iOS 14 in 2020 brought with it a considerable overhaul to the home screen design and layout.
The default home screen on iOS is easy to use and familiar to many users. However, it may not suit everyone’s taste or style. By changing the home screen, you can add a new level of customization to your iPhone. There are many reasons why changing the home screen may be beneficial:
- Personalization: The new iOS lets you personalize your home screen with custom widgets and app icons. You can add the widgets you find most useful, and you can change the icons to a personalized design.
- Efficiency: You can arrange your apps in a more organized and efficient way by creating folders, sorting your apps by purpose, or creating themed screens that group related apps together.
- Aesthetics: Personalizing your home screen adds a touch of aesthetic appeal to your phone. You can customize the look and feel of your device to match your style, and you can even set different backgrounds for different screens. This way, your iPhone is as unique as you are.
The process of changing the home screen on iOS 16 is simple, but it can get complicated. Fortunately, we’ve got a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Understanding the new home screen features
The latest version of iOS, iOS 16, brings with it a slew of new features and improvements to the home screen experience. With a new design and customizable widgets, users can completely customize their home screen to their liking. Here are some of the new home screen features you can expect to see with iOS 16.
App Library
The App Library is one of the biggest changes to the home screen experience on iOS 16. This feature organizes all of your apps into easy-to-navigate categories and pages, allowing you to easily find the app you need without having to sort through all the clutter on your home screen. You can access the App Library by swiping all the way to the right on your home screen.
To customize your App Library experience, you can long-press on any app icon and select “Remove from Home Screen.” This will move the app to the App Library, where it can be easily accessed whenever you need it. You can also rearrange the order of the app categories in the App Library by long-pressing on the category and dragging it to a new location.
Widgets
iOS 16 also brings with it new widget customization options for a more personalized home screen experience. Widgets are now available in three different sizes, and you can choose which size best fits your needs. You can also add and remove widgets from your home screen by long-pressing on any blank space and selecting “Add Widget.”
To customize your widgets, you can long-press on any widget and select “Edit Widget.” This will give you the option to change the widget’s size or even customize what information is displayed in the widget. For example, you can choose to display the weather forecast, your calendar events, or even your favorite news headlines.
App Library Search
The App Library also has a search bar, allowing you to quickly find the app you need with just a few taps. Simply swipe all the way to the right on your home screen to access the App Library, then type in the name of the app you’re looking for.
You can also use the search feature to find specific categories in the App Library. For example, if you’re looking for a game, simply type “games” into the search bar and all of your installed games will appear.
Stacks
Another new feature of iOS 16 is the ability to create “stacks” of similar apps in the App Library. For example, you can create a stack for all of your social media apps, or a stack for all of your photography apps. This keeps your App Library organized and makes it even easier to find the app you need.
To create a stack, simply drag one app onto another app in the App Library. iOS 16 will automatically create a stack of similar apps. You can also add additional apps to the stack by dragging them onto the stack icon.
Overall, the new home screen features in iOS 16 give users more control over their home screen experience than ever before. With the ability to customize widgets and organize apps into the App Library, users can create a truly personalized home screen that fits their needs.
Step-by-step guide to customizing your home screen
Customizing your iPhone’s home screen may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With iOS 14 and higher, Apple introduced the ability to change your home screen’s appearance through widgets and App Library. This guide will walk you through the steps to personalize your iPhone’s home screen to fit your style and preferences.
Step 1: Choose wallpaper
The first step in customizing your home screen is to select a wallpaper that you find appealing. Whether it is a photo of your loved ones, something you found online, or an image you took yourself, make sure it resonates with you. To change your wallpaper, go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper. You can either select from Apple’s pre-installed wallpapers or choose a wallpaper from your Photos app.
Step 2: Create app icons
With the latest iOS 14 update, Apple introduced the ability for users to create custom app icons, further allowing you to personalize your home screen. To create an app icon, select the app you want to change the icon for > tap and hold the app icon until the menu appears > tap on “Edit Home Screen” > tap on the “+” sign > select the “Choose Photo” option > select the image you want to use as the app icon > resize the image to your preference > tap “Choose” > rename the app (optional) > tap “Add.” Follow these steps for each app icon you want to customize.
Step 3: Add widgets
Widgets allow you to add more personality and functionality to your home screen. To add a widget, go to your home screen > tap and hold on an empty space > tap on the plus sign in the upper left corner > select the widget you want to add > swipe left and right to choose the widget size > tap “Add Widget” > place the widget on the desired location on the home screen > tap “Done” on the top right corner of the screen. You can add as many widgets as you want and resize them to fit your preference.
By following these three easy steps, you can tailor your iPhone’s home screen to one that matches your personality and style. Once you see how easy it is to customize your home screen, you may never want to go back to the standard one again!
Tricks and Tips for Creating the Perfect Home Screen
The arrival of iOS 14 brought along a new update that allows iPhone users to customize their home screens and create the perfect look and feel. iOS 16 builds on this and adds even more features that allow you to personalize your phone like never before. Below are some tricks and tips for creating the perfect home screen on iOS 16 with ease.
1. Get Creative with Widgets
With iOS 16, widgets are more interactive and dynamic than ever. You can add widgets to your home screen, like the weather and battery widget, or you can create custom widgets with your own images and texts. Use your favorite apps and mix different widget sizes to create a unique experience. With iOS 16, you can even stack widgets together to save space and organize your home screen.
2. Play Around with App Icons
Gone are the days where you are restricted to using the default app icons. With iOS 16, you can change the look of your app icons to fit your aesthetic or mood. You can use third-party apps such as Widgetsmith, Color Widgets, or Shortcuts app to create custom designs with different shapes, fonts, and colors.
3. Choose a Theme and Color Scheme
Another trick for creating a perfect home screen on iOS 16 is to select a theme and color scheme that complements your style. Consider using the same hue and tone for your app icons, widgets, and wallpaper. You can also choose different wallpapers that meet your taste, such as solid colors, gradient backgrounds, or nature images. Having a uniform theme and color scheme can create a polished and clean look on your phone that’s easy on the eyes.
4. Organize with Folders and Shortcuts
If you have numerous apps that you use, it’s essential to organize them efficiently to avoid clutter on your home screen. You can organize apps into folders by dragging and dropping them on top of each other. Add a name and a custom icon to your folders to keep everything organized. Shortcuts can also come in handy by allowing you to create one-tap actions that open specific apps or perform specific tasks.
Having a well-designed home screen can provide a pleasant and personalized user experience. With these tricks and tips, you can create the perfect home screen on iOS 16 and give your phone a unique touch. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!
Best customization apps and widgets to use on iOS 16
If you are tired of the default home screen on your iOS 16 device, there are plenty of customization apps and widgets available that can help you personalize your phone to fit your style.
Here are the top five customization apps and widgets to use on iOS 16:
1. Widgetsmith
Widgetsmith is an app that allows you to create custom widgets for your home screen. It offers a variety of customizable clock, date, and calendar widgets that can be modified to fit your preferred style.
With Widgetsmith, you can customize the fonts, colors, and background of your widgets to match your wallpaper and create a cohesive look for your home screen.
2. Color Widgets
Color Widgets is another app that allows you to create personalized widgets for your iOS 16 home screen. It offers a variety of widgets, including analog and digital clocks, dates, and battery monitors.
With Color Widgets, you can choose from a variety of customizable layouts and themes to match the look of your home screen.
3. Launcher
Launcher is an app that allows you to create custom app icons and shortcuts for your home screen. With Launcher, you can create custom app icons using your own photos or choose from a variety of pre-made designs.
One of the features of Launcher is the ability to create themed app collections that can be grouped together for easy access. For example, you could create a collection of all your social media apps and group them together on your home screen.
4. Icon Themer
Icon Themer is another app that allows you to create custom app icons for your home screen. It offers a variety of pre-made designs as well as the ability to use your own photos to create personalized icons.
With Icon Themer, you can also create custom wallpapers that match the design of your app icons for a cohesive look on your home screen.
5. Halide Camera
Halide Camera is a professional camera app that offers advanced features for taking high-quality photos with your iOS 16 device. With Halide Camera, you can adjust exposure, focus, and other settings to capture the perfect shot.
One of the features of Halide Camera that makes it useful for customization is its ability to capture RAW files. With RAW files, you can edit your photos using third-party editing apps and create personalized wallpapers for your home screen.
With these customization apps and widgets, you can personalize your iOS 16 home screen to fit your style and make your phone feel truly yours.
