How to Change App Colors on Various Platforms

Changing the color of apps on your devices can greatly enhance your user experience, aligning it more with your personal style or improving visibility. Below, we explore several ways to change app colors across different platforms like Android, iOS, and Windows.

1. Android Apps

On Android devices, users can customize app icons and themes, depending on the launcher they are using. Some built-in and third-party launchers provide extensive customization options including color changes:

• Download a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store such as Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher.
• Install the launcher and follow the setup instructions.
• Navigate to the launcher settings where you can find options to customize colors, icons, and overall theme.

Example of an Android launcher customization menu

2. iOS Apps

Changing app colors in iOS isn’t directly possible due to Apple's controlled environment, but you can use Shortcuts to customize app icons:

• Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
• Tap on the '+' to create a new shortcut.
• Add a new action and search for ‘Open app’ and choose the app you want to change the icon for.
• Tap on the options button, choose 'Add to Home Screen', then tap the icon next to the shortcut name.
• Choose 'Choose Photo' to select a custom icon from your photos or download icons from the web.

Modifying an app icon using iOS Shortcuts

3. Windows Apps

Windows allows for certain customization in terms of app colors within the system settings:

• Right-click on your desktop and select 'Personalize'.
• Click on ‘Colors’ in the left menu.
• Choose your desired accent color or enable 'Automatically pick an accent color from my background' to let Windows pick a color based on your background.
• Scroll down to ‘Choose your default Windows mode’ and select 'Dark' or 'Light'. This will change the color schemes of apps and menus.

Windows color settings menu

While customization options might differ from one platform to another, each offers certain ways to change or tweak the appearance of app icons or themes. Always ensure any changes comply with device and software limitations to ensure smooth operation of your apps.