iPhone users are creating custom app icons in iOS 14 to mimic everything from older iPhones to video games — here’s how to do it

Apple just released iOS 14, with some major updates to home screen organization, plus all kinds of improvements to Messages, Siri, and more.

The new customization options have been well-received by iPhone users. iOS 14 home screen customizations have taken over social media with the addition of widgets and the ability to replace app icons. Some apps allow further customization of different widgets, and they’ve shot up in popularity: The top three free apps in the App Store on Monday were widget editors, beating out even the popular social-video app TikTok.

Soon after iOS 14 became available last week, several videos popped up showing people how to make their screens fit a theme with icons.

So far, there’s really not an easy or convenient way to replace standard app icons. Each app requires its own shortcut, and then the original app must be removed from the home screen and left in the app library. Here’s how to do it. 

SEE ALSO: iOS 14 allows users to customize the iPhone’s home screen more than ever before with widgets. Here’s how to do it.

First, open the Shortcuts app.

In the top right corner, tap the plus button.

Press “Add Action,” — you’re going to be creating a shortcut that automatically opens whatever app you choose when you select the new icon.

Choose “Scripting” from the menu.

Next, tap “Open App.”

Click “choose,” which brings up a list off all the apps on the iPhone, and choose whichever one to replace the icon.

In the empty name field, add whatever you’d prefer the app be called. I went with Photos. Then select done.

To finish up, tap the three dots in the top right corner.

Add the new shortcut to your home screen.

There, you finally have the option to choose what photo from your albums to use as an icon.

I did this with two apps, replacing Chartbeat and Photos with my own icons. When I click on the icon, it quickly opens Shortcuts, then moves to the app I was looking for.

Between widgets and icons, iPhone owners can really customize the look of their phones.

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1307868397787521027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
made mine look like a ps2 memory card screen✍️ #ios14homescreen pic.twitter.com/ZYiZ9LQtTW

All kinds of themes are possible, and some online creators are selling or giving away icon packages.

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1308054288321720321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
not me updating my phone for the first time in months just so i can make a spongebob themed home screen #ios14homescreen pic.twitter.com/UqeEW5puls

Some people even recreated old versions of iOS.

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1308034971404247041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Have I done this right? #iOS14 #iOS14HomeScreen pic.twitter.com/RK1CnaScaz

Another creator made icons and a background to look like the NookPhone from Animal Crossing.

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1307467155026456576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
acnh nookphone icons extension pack! ?
hi friends! i’ve made a new round of nookphone inspired icons for both ios and android!

+ a bonus night time mode wallpaper c:

available now! https://t.co/lcuduqQ1Ek#acnh #animalcrossing #ios14homescreen #iOS14 pic.twitter.com/YIdSjbiAsL

This content was originally published here.