If there are a few icons on your iPhone that you just don’t like and would rather change to something a little more pleasing, there is a method you can use that doesn’t require you to jailbreak your iPhone.
This neat little mod will work on both Mac and Windows machines using iPhone Explorer (download it from the link). This method will only work for the apps you have purchased in the App Store. You cannot change the icons of the apps loaded onto your iPhone by Apple.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing iPhone Icons
1. First, open iPhone Explorer and navigate into the app’s folder, located in /Apps/appname.app/appname.app.app
(where appname
is the name of the app you want to change and devicename
is the name of your device).
2. Within that folder, find the PNG file that is the icon, named something like icon@2x.png
for an iPhone 4, or Icon.png
for iPhone 3GS and below. Back that up and replace it with your own icon.
3. Make sure the icon is in PNG format and is 114×114 pixels for the iPhone 4, 57×57 for the iPhone 3GS and earlier. After rebooting your phone, you should see the old icon replaced with your new one.
Additional Tips and Considerations
While this method is relatively straightforward, there are a few additional tips and considerations to keep in mind:
Backup Your Data: Before making any changes, it’s always a good idea to back up your iPhone. This ensures that you can restore your device to its original state if anything goes wrong.
Icon Design: When designing or selecting a new icon, make sure it is clear and recognizable. Icons that are too detailed or complex may not look good at smaller sizes.
Consistency: For a cohesive look, consider changing the icons for multiple apps to match a particular theme or style. This can give your iPhone a more personalized and unified appearance.
Legal Considerations: Be mindful of copyright laws when using icons created by others. Always ensure you have the right to use and modify any icons you download from the internet.
Reverting Changes: If you ever want to revert back to the original icon, simply replace the custom icon with the backup you created earlier. This will restore the app’s original appearance.
By following these steps and tips, you can customize your iPhone’s appearance to better suit your personal taste. Whether you prefer minimalist designs, vibrant colors, or themed icons, the possibilities are endless. Enjoy your newly personalized iPhone!
Via Lifehacker
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