How to customize your iPhone with a minimalist aesthetic look
If you’ve watched aesthetic iPhone or iPad videos on TikTik or IG, you’ve probably wondered how you can create beautiful designs of your own with what seems like very limited iOS design options. It’s a lot easier than you think. I’ve poured hours into learning how to customize iOS so I can achieve the minimalist phone of my dreams. And I’ll show you how to do it in three easy steps so you can achieve whatever iOS aesthetic you desire.
How to customize iOS icons
For this step, you can either design your icons or download a set. There are plenty of free and paid options available online (you can also purchase the set featured in the above image via my Etsy store). Once you have your icons ready, download them to your phone to get started.
Step 1: Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad
Step 2: Create a new shortcut by clicking the + on the top right of the screen
Step 3: Add an Action
Step 4: Multiple options will appear. Select “Scripting.”
Step 5: A pop-up window should appear. Select “Open App” from the options.
Step 6: Press the “App” button next to “Open”
Step 7: Choose the app you want to add.
Step 8: Select the blue options button in the upper-right-hand corner.
Step 9: A pop-up window should appear. From here select “Add to Home Screen.”
Step 10: From here you can change the name and icon for the app. Touch the icon to replace it. Select “Choose File.”
Step 11: From here you can select the icon you want to use. You can also use the search function if you have many icons to select from. Don’t forget to rename the shortcut before you select “Add.”
How to hide the grey dock bar at the bottom of the iPhone screen
To get that sleek, minimalist home screen look, you’ll have to hide the grey dock bar at the bottom of the iOS screen. Here’s how to do it:
Go to Settings and select “Accessibility.”
Scroll down and select “Per-App Settings.”
Select “Add App” and choose “Home Screen” from the list. Now Home Screen should be available under the app customization list.
Select “Home Screen” to customize it.
Scroll down and find “Smart Invert.” It should be set to default. You now have to turn it on.
Now you can change your wallpaper to either an all-black or black on the bottom of the wallpaper. You can either download your own or use one provided by Apple. To do so, go to Settings, select “Wallpapers,” and “Choose a New Wallpaper.”
On the next screen, choose the “Stills” option.
Select the wallpaper you want to use and set it as the home screen.
How to add photo widgets to iOS Home Screen
Widgets can add extra utility to your Home Screen along with a dose of personality.
WidgetSmith offers a variety of widgets and is free to use. There are other great widget apps available in the App store, but I’ll use WidgetSmith in this example.
Download WidgetSmith
Open and decide what size of widget you want to add to your home screen. (The calendar used in the product images is the medium black calendar.)
Select “Add X Widget.”
Select “Photo” from the selection bar.
Select “Choose from Files.”
From here, you can select what image you want to use.
Select “Save.”
Now exit out of the WidgetSmith app and hold down anywhere on your home screen. Editing options should appear. Select the + icon at the upper-right-hand corner of the screen.
Enter WidgetSmith in the search bar and choose it.
A pop-up screen will appear. From here, you can choose what size of widget you want to add to the screen.