Guide to Redesigning App Icons with the Shortcuts App

Apple iPhone: Redesigning App Icons with Shortcuts app: Step-wise guide to creating iPhone app shortcuts

Introduction:

Customizing your home screen has grown more popular in iOS, and some users choose to add unique app icons to their home screen using the Shortcuts app on iOS 14 and later.

You may easily modify the appearance of your home screen by replacing default app icons with photos of your choice. You’ll need to select or create a picture for your new home screen app icon before proceeding with this method, and there are lots of other styles accessible for free online.

The instructions below will show you how to add a custom icon to the Home screen for any app of your choice. Essentially, the method is creating a Shortcut to launch an app and then adding a picture to that Shortcut on the Home screen.

You may create iPhone app shortcuts to rapidly access certain app features or conduct tasks with a single swipe.

Here’s a step-by-step approach to making iPhone app shortcuts:

Step 1: Install the most recent iOS version.

Check that your iPhone is running the most recent iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.

Step 2: Launch the Shortcuts application.

On iPhones running iOS 14 or later, the Shortcuts app is pre-installed. If you don’t already have it, you can get it from the App Store. Tap the Shortcuts app icon to launch it.

Step 3: Construct a new shortcut.

To create a new shortcut, open the Shortcuts app and press the “+” button in the upper right corner.

Step 4: Select a Trigger

A trigger is an event or action that causes your shortcut to be activated. Tap the “Add Action” button, then look for and choose the “Scripting” category, followed by the “Open App” action. Tap “Choose” and then choose the app for which you want to create a shortcut.

Step 5: Personalise the shortcut

To execute certain operations inside the app, you may add extra actions to your shortcut. To get straight to your inbox in the Mail app, for example, search for and add the “Open App” action again, this time selecting the Mail app. You may repeat this step to add other actions or skip it if no customization is required.

Step 6: Give your shortcut a name.

Tap on the shortcut’s name at the top and give it a descriptive name. When you open the shortcut later, this name will show.

Step 7: Put the shortcut on your home screen.

Tap the three-dot menu symbol in the upper right corner, then choose “Add to Home Screen.” You may change the icon, name, and position on the home screen. When you’re finished, press the “Add” button.

Step 8: Put your shortcut to the test.

To test it, go to your home screen and press on the newly generated shortcut. It should launch the supplied software or carry out the stated activities.

Step 9: Organise and manage shortcuts

Return to the Shortcuts app to manage your shortcuts. Long-pressing on existing shortcuts allows you to modify, reorganize, or remove them. You can also use the “+” button to create folders to arrange your shortcuts by choosing “Folder.”

Step 10: Investigate advanced features

Automation and scheduling are advanced capabilities of the Shortcuts app. You may automate the execution of your shortcuts depending on particular triggers or time-based events. To access these capabilities, go to the app’s bottom and tap on the “Automation” option, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Conclusion:

That’s all! You have just made an iPhone app shortcut. You may use the same procedure to create shortcuts for other programs or tasks on your smartphone. By automating typical operations, the Shortcuts app allows you to simplify your iPhone experience and save time.