I accidentally mixed up some app names on my iPhone home screen while customizing my setup. Now I’m trying to figure out how to change the names back or give them new ones. Does anyone know if it’s possible to rename apps on an iPhone? Any help would be appreciated!
Ha! Well, forget about renaming apps on an iPhone. Apple doesn’t let you do it. Typical Apple move, they love keeping limits on customization. If you really need custom names for apps, you’re stuck with workarounds like using shortcuts. You can create new shortcuts with custom names and icons, but it’s annoying and a waste of time. And you’ll have two icons for the same app. Seriously, every time you want a simple feature, they make you jump through hoops.
Sure, other platforms like Android let you rename apps directly with third-party launchers, but switching platforms for something this minor? Ridiculous. Just stop messing with the names and deal with it; save yourself the headache. And don’t get me started on reogranizing apps either, it’s super cumbersome on iOS.
@techchizkid makes some valid points, but I’d argue that shortcuts are actually pretty useful and not as bad as some make them out to be. True, iOS doesn’t let you directly rename apps—classic Apple, right? But shortcuts are a pretty clever workaround. You create a shortcut to the app, give it a custom name and icon, and voilà, kinda like DIY app customization. Think of it like a mini project, not a waste of time. 
If you’re stuck on this customization journey, the Shortcuts app lets you assign new names easily:
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Tap the ‘+’ button to create a new shortcut.
- Add Open App action and select the app you want.
- Tap the three dots to configure the shortcut, including its name and icon.
- Add to Home Screen with a custom name.
Yes, you deal with two icons, but here’s a hack: move the original into an obscure folder you rarely use. So, you only see your beautifully named shortcut. It’s not the same as Android, but it keeps things tidy.
Also, if you’re anxious about re-organizing, just long-press an app until they wiggle, then drag to reposition or throw them onto a folder. It’s straightforward, just a bit slow.
Switching to Android just for customization? Yeah, seems extreme. But hey, Android launchers open a whole new world of personal tweaks, if you’re into that. Just saying, it’s another adventure.
Give the shortcut thing a shot, it’s less of a headache than you’d think. Can’t hurt to try, right?
Actually, @techchizkid and @codecrafter bring up some good points about the limitations and workarounds on iOS. While it’s true that you can’t directly rename apps on an iPhone, there’s another angle to consider. Sure, Shortcuts is the go-to method, but it doesn’t have to be such a chore.
Let’s tackle the Shortcuts hack from a different angle. First off, the whole “two icons” issue isn’t as troubling as it sounds. The core idea is to make your home screen reflect your style while keeping functionality. Here’s a smaller project plan if you’re aiming for neatness.
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General Layout Planning: Before diving into making shortcuts, take a step back and look at your home screen layout. If you’re juggling with lots of apps, it might be worthwhile to group them into essential categories like Work, Social, Entertainment, etc. Then you can create shortcuts primarily for these key apps, avoiding unnecessary clutter.
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Simplify the Shortcut Creation: Every time you need to make a shortcut for renaming, you don’t have to start from scratch. You can duplicate an existing shortcut and just tweak the specifics. This can save you a real lot of time.
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Aesthetic Consistency: If you’re bothered by seeing the old and new icons side by side, take @techchizkid’s advice to hide the originals in a dedicated folder. But instead of shoving them into an obscure corner, use a naming convention like “zzOriginalApps” to easily find them if needed.
One thing neither mentioned is that iOS 11 and above have this feature called “Offload Unused Apps”. When enabled, iOS automatically offloads rarely used apps, freeing up storage but keeping the data intact. You can use it to hide the original app temporarily when creating a shortcut and renaming it.
To enable:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Toggle the Offload Unused Apps option.
Also, a pro tip for entertainment apps or games that you don’t use frequently. Using the widget stacks feature, place the widgets relevant to these apps. It somewhat detaches you from needing direct app access while still maintaining functionality.
And for all the headache points regarding re-organizing, and IMO this is the step most folks get stuck on unnecessarily, here’s an alternative perspective. Treat reorganization as an iterative process. You don’t need to achieve the perfect layout in one go.
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Begin by long-pressing an app until the icons start to jiggle, as mentioned.
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Rearrange a single page max per session so it doesn’t become overwhelming.
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Use widgets to keep vital info at hand without running into the “two icons” drama, especially for calendar, weather, or notes app.
On a broader note, iOS’s lack of direct customization options is more of an ecosystem philosophy. They focus strongly on security and simplicity over granular user control. If you like tinkering around, Android indeed offers a more open playground.
Moreover, re your last concern - if you’re also looking to spruce up the organization part without pulling your hair, try focusing on:
- Smart Folders: dragging apps into folders based on usage frequency or category.
- Daily Clean-up: make it a tiny daily/weekly routine to manage app placement gradually.
Finally, if you’re fed up but still insistent on flexibility and customization without migrating to Android, consider employing specialized apps like “Launch Center Pro” or others that provide more elaborate shortcuts/customization abilities while staying in the iOS family.
To @codecrafter’s point — yeah, it’s a “classic Apple move,” but it’s about working within the confines and making the best of the available tools. The Shortcuts approach might feel like a mini-project, but think of it as customizing your very own digital workspace. Shortcuts are the closest iOS has to offering control over app naming and icon customizations without jailbreak.
Sure, this level of tweaking might not justify a platform switch alone, but remember customization on both Android and iOS comes with its own set of pros and cons. Before jumping ship back and forth, weigh in on what other features keep you anchored to each platform. From seamless ecosystem experiences on iOS to flexible customization on Android, it’s always a trade-off.
Hope that adds a different layer to the already mentioned responses. Keep customizing within these hacks and perhaps stay tuned for any future updates from Apple fingers-crossed.