Apple Ushers in era of Customizable iPhone and iPad Home Screens with Transparent Icons
Cupertino, California - september 21, 2025 – Apple today announced a meaningful user interface update for iPhone and iPad, enabling fully transparent app icons for teh first time. The change, anticipated by designers and customization enthusiasts, arrives with the release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, offering users unprecedented control over the aesthetic of their home screens.
for years, iPhone and iPad users have been limited to Apple’s standardized icon designs, with limited options for personalization beyond arranging apps and utilizing folders.This update fundamentally alters that paradigm, allowing users to create icons with varying degrees of transparency, blending them seamlessly with chosen wallpapers. The feature is expected to ignite a new wave of customization, empowering users to express individuality and achieve a more cohesive visual experience.
David Passos, a photographer and filmmaker currently writng and coordinating music for Magazine-HD, and a noted specialist in Lego and Lord of the Rings, exemplifies the audience eager for this change.The update caters to a growing demand for personalization within the Apple ecosystem, mirroring trends seen in Android launchers and other mobile platforms.
The technical implementation leverages Apple’s existing icon design framework, adding a transparency slider within the Shortcuts app. Users can import custom images or modify existing app icons, adjusting the opacity to achieve the desired effect. Apple has confirmed the feature is compatible with all iPhone models supporting iOS 18 and all iPad models supporting iPadOS 18.
The update is now available to download for all eligible devices.Developers are encouraged to optimize their app icons for transparency to ensure a consistent user experience. Apple anticipates a surge in demand for custom icon packs and design resources following the release.
