To change the Home Screen on an iPhone 11, touch and hold an empty spot on the Home Screen until the apps jiggle, then tap Edit in the top-left corner. From there you can Add Widget, Customize the app icons (dark, tinted, or clear on newer iOS versions), or Edit Pages. To change the Home Screen wallpaper, go to Settings > Wallpaper, tap Customize under the Home Screen preview, and choose a color, gradient, blur, or photo.
The iPhone 11 supports the latest iOS versions, including iOS 18 and iOS 26, so it has all the current Home Screen options. On older iOS versions, you’ll see a + button instead of Edit. Here’s how to change every part of the Home Screen.
What you can change
| Change | Where |
|---|---|
| Wallpaper | Settings > Wallpaper > Customize (Home Screen) |
| App arrangement | Touch and hold the Home Screen, then drag apps |
| Widgets | Edit > Add Widget |
| Icon look (dark, tinted, clear) | Edit > Customize (iOS 18 and later) |
| Hide or reorder pages | Edit > Edit Pages, or tap the page dots |
| Where new apps go | Settings > Home Screen & App Library |
How to change the Home Screen wallpaper
- Open Settings > Wallpaper.
- Under the pair of Lock Screen and Home Screen previews, tap Customize on the Home Screen side.
- Choose an option at the bottom: Pair (matches your Lock Screen), Color, Gradient, or Photos to pick your own image. Tap Blur to make icons easier to read.
- Tap Done.
To use a completely different photo on the Home Screen, go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, choose a photo, tap Add, and then tap Customize Home Screen instead of Set as Wallpaper Pair. You can also start from the Lock Screen: touch and hold it, tap Customize, and choose Home Screen.
How to rearrange apps
- Touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen until the apps jiggle.
- Drag an app to a new spot. Drag it to the right edge of the screen to move it to the next page.
- Drag one app on top of another to create a folder.
- Tap Done or press the side button when you’re finished.
Tip: While dragging one app, tap other apps with another finger to pick up several at once. On iOS 18 and later, you can place apps anywhere on the grid instead of only filling from the top.
How to add widgets
- Touch and hold the Home Screen, then tap Edit > Add Widget (or + on older iOS).
- Pick a widget, swipe to choose a size, and tap Add Widget.
- Drag it where you want and tap Done.
A Smart Stack widget lets several widgets share one spot. Swipe up or down on it to flip through them.
How to change the app icon style
- Touch and hold the Home Screen and tap Edit > Customize.
- Choose a look. iOS 18 offers Light, Dark, Automatic, and Tinted. iOS 26 adds Clear icons.
- For Tinted, drag the sliders to choose a color.
- Choose Small or Large icons. Large hides the app names.
- Tap an empty area to finish.
How to hide or reorder Home Screen pages
- Touch and hold the Home Screen, then tap the dots above the Dock (or Edit > Edit Pages).
- Uncheck pages to hide them, or drag pages to reorder them.
- Tap Done.
Hidden pages’ apps stay in the App Library, which you reach by swiping left past your last page.
How to remove apps from the Home Screen without deleting them
- Touch and hold the app.
- Tap Remove App > Remove from Home Screen.
To stop new apps from appearing on your Home Screen, go to Settings > Home Screen & App Library and choose App Library Only.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reset my Home Screen layout?
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout. Your apps aren’t deleted, but folders are removed and apps return to their default order.
Why can’t I move apps freely?
Placing apps anywhere requires iOS 18 or later. Update in Settings > General > Software Update.
Can I change app icons to custom images?
Not directly. You can use the Shortcuts app to create a shortcut that opens an app with a custom icon, but it adds an extra step each time.
Can I have different wallpapers on each Home Screen page?
No. One Home Screen wallpaper applies to all pages. You can set up multiple Lock Screens, each with its own Home Screen, and link them to Focus modes.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.