Make a good-looking Home Screen in iOS 18

Tips for making your iPhone's custom Home Screen shine.

Author

Leander Kahney
September 19, 2024

Back in the day, a handful of popular websites showcased all the different ways you could customize your Mac using a now-discontinued tool called ResEdit.

The software made it easy for users to edit their Mac’s icons, menus and other elements of the GUI.

It was the first time Mac users could really tweak their machines, and the Apple community went crazy for it. Power users would upload screenshots of their mods for others to copy or critique. Some threads garnered thousands of responses.

Fast forward to today, and Apple finally made it possible to make similar changes to your iPhone and iPad. You can now tweak many aspects of your iPhone’s interface, making your devices truly personal.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’ll actually look good. One of the lessons of ResEdit was that it was oftentimes wise to leave design decisions to the professionals.

But if you’re itching to play around with the new Home Screen customization options in iOS 18, here’s our guide to getting good-looking results.

 Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Talking of leaving design to the professionals: Sometimes they’re not always right. There’s a major revolt brewing over the redesigned Photos app in iOS 18. Some folks really hate it.

  • Good news for California residents: You can now add your driver's license to your iPhone’s Wallet app. Here’s how to do it. (Several states offer this option — is yours on the list?)

  • The fine fellows at iFixit would approve: Apple is taking a more repair-friendly approach to iPhone design.

  • We hands-on review Ugreen’s new robot-inspired charging stations, and find they are fun to use (“fun” for a charger, that is).

  • Is this more technocrat meddling or consumer-focused monopoly busting? The EU likely will force Apple to make iPhone and iPad more open to rivals’ smartwatches, headphones, VR headsets and more.

  • Early reviews of the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 are in, and everyone’s woozy about the only fresh feature — the color!

  • I don’t need these headphones. I don’t need these headphones. I don’t need these headphones.

  • The visuals in the upcoming Apple TV+ movie Blitz — set in a bombed-out London during World War II — look fantastic. Check out the trailer.

  • It’s a good idea to make certain notifications persistent to make sure you don’t miss important reminders.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

How to make a good-looking custom Home Screen in iOS 18

You can customize iOS 18 Home Screen layout, icons and widgets like never before. Here's how to do it, and plenty of examples for inspiration.

Some users really hate iOS 18's revamped Photos app

After the iOS 18 Photos app backlash explodes on social media, a new photo library app might calm some of the outrage.

EU prepares to force iPhone and iPad to be more open to accessories

Europe will require iPhone and iPad to be more open to working with third-party smartwatches, headphones, VR headsets and more.

Every iPhone 16 model got a battery boost

Every iPhone 16 version got a higher-capacity battery. Every one. So don't worry about battery life.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Grab a pair of noise-canceling JBL Tune 770NC headphones for just $89.99

Don't miss the new, open-box deal on JBL Tune 770NC over-ear headphones. Get a pair for just $89.99 (regularly $129) for a limited time.

Apple details iPhone 16's enhanced repair-friendly design

The iPhone 16 lineup packs several underlying improvements to make repairs easier, including using a new ionic liquid battery adhesive.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black is what 'Batman would buy'

The only Apple Watch Ultra 2 upgrade is a satin black option, which would be disappointing if reviewers weren't raving about the color.

How to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet

In several states, iPhone and Apple Watch can carry a digital copy of the user's driver's license in the Wallet app. Here's how to add it.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Last chance: Get up to 73% off Apple computers and accessories

Hey, sometimes great deals on Apple computers and accessories come in the form of older (but new to you) gear.

Burning London separates mother and son in Steve McQueen's epic ‘Blitz’ [Apple TV+ trailer]

The new "Blitz" film trailer makes the World War II epic, which is set in bombed-out London, look action-packed and emotionally rich.

Pro Tip: Set up persistent notifications so you don't miss important alerts

If you rely on timely alerts from certain critical iOS apps, set up persistent notifications so you don't miss something important.

Apple Intelligence to gain support for even more languages in 2025

Apple Intelligence will gain support for more languages in early 2025 than Apple initially announced, including Korean and Portuguese.

Ugreen Uno 2-in-1 wireless bot charger smiles for a reason [Review] ★★★★☆

Ugreen's Uno 2-in-1 magnetic wireless charger bot pumps up iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods with a digital grin.

Today in Apple history: iPhone 6 is bigger and better than ever

On September 19, 2014, the iPhone received its biggest upgrade since the original. Apple went large with the iPhone 6 design and launch.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

I watched people at Apple who made a lot of money and felt they had to live differently. Some of them bought a Rolls-Royce and various houses, each with a house manager and then someone to manage the house managers. Their wives got plastic surgery and turned into these bizarre people. This was not how I wanted to live. It’s crazy. I made a promise to myself that I’m not going to let this money ruin my life.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Have you customized your iPhone Home Screen?

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