Yesterday’s release of iOS 18 brought a number of new improvements and enhancements to the iOS home screen. The update includes some minor changes but also features fundamental changes to iOS design paradigms that have been around since the iPhone’s inception.
New iOS 18 Wallpaper
Like every major new release of iOS, iOS 18 includes a new wallpaper for the release. Apple is including a new dynamic wallpaper that changes throughout the day. For those who prefer a more static approach, there are four different color schemes: yellow, pink, sky blue, and purple.
Video: Top iOS 18 Features – Home Screen
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Flexible application and tool placement
For the first time in iOS history, you can place app icons and widgets anywhere on the Home screen grid. You can leave gaps between icons or strategically place them in different areas to show off the wallpaper underneath. Android users have been enjoying these features for years, and die-hard Google fans will be sure to highlight them in the comments sections of our YouTube videos. 😆
Resize widgets
iOS has long supported different widget sizes, but until now, you couldn’t adjust the size of a widget already placed on the Home screen. With the release of iOS 18, Apple is giving users not one but two ways to customize widget sizes in the Post.
The first way to resize a UI element is to use the drag handle that appears in the lower right corner of the UI element while in edit mode. You can use the drag handle to enlarge or reduce the size of the UI element if there are other size options available for that type of UI element.
You can also resize UI elements by long-pressing and tapping one of the icons representing each available UI element size. The long-press action also has another benefit: you can resize a UI element to its app icon.
Customize your home screen
When in Edit mode, you’ll notice a new “Customize” option when you tap the Edit button in the top left corner of the Home screen. This option reveals a new Home screen customization panel dedicated to changing the appearance of your Home screen app icons and, to a lesser extent, your Home screen wallpaper.
There you’ll find options to switch between light and dark icons and change the background color. Native and third-party apps downloaded from the App Store can display dark app icons, but the app developer must ensure that this feature is enabled.
You’ll also find a dedicated icon color option with a color and saturation slider. Using the color will affect all of your home screen app icons at the same time, giving them a uniform color. For those looking to complement their home screen wallpaper, there’s a handy color swatch tool to use to colorize the icons.
In addition to the customization mentioned above, you’ll find a button that lets you switch between small and large app and widget icons. The app icon names are hidden when using large icons to accommodate the extra size, making for a cleaner and perhaps more aesthetically pleasing setup.
Lock and hide individual apps
Finally, iOS 18 allows users to lock individual apps using Face ID or a passcode. To lock an app, long-press the app icon and select Require Face ID. Once Face ID is authenticated, the app will be locked and require authentication every time it launches. Locked apps won’t appear in notification previews or Spotlight search results, and not all apps, such as Settings and Maps, can be locked.
In addition to locking apps, iOS 18 allows users to secure individual apps by hiding them. Hidden apps work similarly to locked apps but are stored in a new hidden category in the iOS App Library. To hide an app, tap its icon and select Face ID required → Hide and request face idOnly apps downloaded from the App Store can be hidden.
To reveal apps in the Hidden App Library category, tap the category and then verify it with Face ID. Hidden apps won’t receive important notifications, calls, or alerts, but their presence will still be visible through places like Settings.
9to5Mac Opinion
The iOS 18 Home screen opens up the iPhone to unprecedented customization options that allow users to highly personalize their devices. Along with iOS Shortcuts and popular third-party apps like Widgetsmith, users can now create iOS Home screens that look and feel like they’ve never been more original. While some may balk at the customization possibilities, considering them too glamorous, I welcome them and feel that such features are long overdue.
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