Black And White News Icon For IPhone: A How-To Guide

by Jhon Lennon 53 views

Hey guys! Ever wanted to give your iPhone's home screen a sleek, minimalist makeover? One cool way to do that is by changing your app icons to black and white. If you're specifically looking to transform your news app icon into a monochrome masterpiece, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll dive deep into how you can achieve that stylish black and white news icon look on your iPhone. We'll cover everything from using built-in features to exploring third-party apps that can help you customize your icons effortlessly. So, grab your iPhone, and let's get started on this icon transformation journey!

Why Go Black and White?

Before we jump into the how-to, let's talk about why you might want to embrace the black and white aesthetic in the first place. A monochrome home screen offers a clean, uncluttered look that can be incredibly appealing. It's a way to reduce distractions and create a more focused visual experience every time you unlock your phone. For news apps, a black and white icon can subtly signal a shift towards a more serious, news-oriented mindset. Plus, it just looks super cool and modern! Think of it as giving your iPhone a sophisticated makeover. The beauty of black and white is in its simplicity; it pairs well with any wallpaper and gives your device a consistent, polished appearance. Beyond aesthetics, changing your app icons can also be a fun way to personalize your device and make it truly your own. Whether you're a minimalist at heart or just looking to try something new, transforming your news app icon to black and white is a simple yet impactful change. Now, let’s explore how you can actually make this happen.

Method 1: Using Shortcuts App (iOS 14 and Later)

The Shortcuts app, pre-installed on iPhones running iOS 14 and later, is a powerful tool for automating tasks, and guess what? It can also be used to customize your app icons! This method involves creating a custom shortcut that opens your news app, and then assigning a black and white image to that shortcut. It's a bit of a workaround, but it's free and doesn't require downloading any additional apps.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Find or Create a Black and White Icon: First, you'll need a black and white version of your news app icon. You can find one online by searching for "black and white news icon" or create your own using a photo editing app. Save the image to your iPhone's Photos app.
  2. Open the Shortcuts App: Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you can't find it, swipe down from your home screen and use the search bar.
  3. Create a New Shortcut: Tap the "+" button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
  4. Add an Action: Tap "Add Action" and search for "Open App." Select the "Open App" action.
  5. Choose the News App: Tap the word "Choose" in the action and select the news app you want to customize (e.g., Apple News, Google News, or any other news app).
  6. Add to Home Screen: Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen. Give your shortcut a name (e.g., "News"). Then, tap "Add to Home Screen."
  7. Customize the Icon: On the Add to Home Screen page, tap the default icon. Choose "Choose Photo" and select the black and white icon you saved earlier. Adjust the image as needed.
  8. Add to Home Screen (Again): Tap "Add" in the top right corner. The new icon will now appear on your home screen.
  9. Hide the Original App: To avoid confusion, you can hide the original news app icon. Long-press the original icon, select "Remove App," and then choose "Remove from Home Screen" (do not delete the app entirely).

And there you have it! Your news app now has a sleek black and white icon. Keep in mind that this method creates a shortcut, so there might be a slight delay when opening the app compared to opening it directly. However, the aesthetic payoff is often worth it for those seeking a minimalist look.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Icon Customization Apps

If the Shortcuts app method seems a bit cumbersome, or if you're looking for more advanced customization options, several third-party icon customization apps are available on the App Store. These apps often offer a wider range of icon styles, including pre-made black and white themes, and can simplify the icon-changing process.

Popular Apps to Consider:

  • Icon Changer: This app allows you to customize your app icons with various themes, including black and white options. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide selection of icons to choose from.
  • X Icon Changer: Similar to Icon Changer, X Icon Changer provides a variety of icon styles and themes. It also allows you to create custom icons from your own photos.
  • ** launching apps** Some apps like Nova Launcher (for Android) also allow icon customization, but these are primarily for changing the entire theme of your phone.

General Steps for Using These Apps:

  1. Download and Install: Choose an icon customization app from the App Store and download it to your iPhone.
  2. Grant Permissions: Open the app and grant any necessary permissions (e.g., access to your Photos app).
  3. Select the App to Customize: Find the news app you want to change the icon for within the customization app.
  4. Choose a New Icon: Browse the app's icon library or upload your own black and white icon from your Photos app.
  5. Apply the Changes: Follow the app's instructions to apply the new icon to your home screen. This usually involves creating a profile or shortcut, similar to the Shortcuts app method.
  6. Hide the Original App: As with the Shortcuts method, hide the original news app icon to avoid duplicates on your home screen.

Third-party apps often streamline the icon customization process, but be sure to choose reputable apps with good reviews to protect your privacy and security. Also, keep in mind that some of these apps may contain ads or offer in-app purchases for premium features.

Method 3: Using Black and White Wallpapers and Themes

Okay, so this method doesn't directly change the news app icon to black and white, but it creates a similar visual effect by transforming your entire home screen into a monochrome theme. This approach is perfect if you want a more cohesive and comprehensive black and white aesthetic.

How to Achieve a Black and White Theme:

  1. Find a Black and White Wallpaper: The foundation of a monochrome theme is a black and white wallpaper. You can find countless options online by searching for "black and white iPhone wallpaper" or "grayscale iPhone wallpaper." Choose an image that complements your overall style.
  2. Organize Your Apps: Arrange your apps on your home screen in a way that feels visually balanced. Consider grouping apps by category or color to create a more organized look. For example, placing all your communication apps (like messaging and email) together.
  3. Use Black and White Widgets: Add black and white widgets to your home screen to enhance the monochrome theme. Many apps offer customizable widgets that can be set to grayscale.
  4. Consider a Black and White Keyboard: For a complete monochrome experience, you can also switch to a black and white keyboard. Some keyboard apps offer customizable themes, allowing you to create a keyboard that matches your home screen.
  5. Embrace the Minimalist Mindset: A black and white theme is all about simplicity and focus. Remove any unnecessary apps or widgets from your home screen to create a clean and uncluttered look.

By combining a black and white wallpaper with carefully selected apps and widgets, you can create a stunning monochrome theme that transforms your entire iPhone experience. While this method doesn't change individual app icons, it creates a similar visual effect and can be a great alternative if you prefer a more holistic approach.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Changing your iPhone app icons can sometimes come with a few hiccups. Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to troubleshoot them:

  • Icons Reverting to Original: Sometimes, after updating your iPhone or restarting it, the custom icons you created using the Shortcuts app might revert to the original icons. This is usually a temporary glitch. To fix it, simply re-apply the shortcuts.
  • Slow App Launch Times: As mentioned earlier, using the Shortcuts app to create custom icons can sometimes result in slightly slower app launch times. This is because the shortcut needs to run before the app opens. While there's no way to completely eliminate this delay, you can minimize it by ensuring your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS and that you have enough free storage space.
  • Annoying Notifications: When using the Shortcuts app, you might see a brief notification banner at the top of the screen every time you open an app using a custom icon. Unfortunately, there's no way to disable these notifications completely. However, you can minimize their impact by enabling the "Reduce Motion" setting in your iPhone's accessibility settings. This will make the notifications less visually intrusive.
  • Third-Party Apps Not Working: If you're using a third-party icon customization app and it's not working as expected, try the following:
    • Update the App: Make sure you're using the latest version of the app.
    • Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes a simple restart can fix minor software glitches.
    • Reinstall the App: If the problem persists, try deleting the app and reinstalling it from the App Store.
    • Contact the App Developer: If none of the above steps work, reach out to the app developer for assistance.

By being aware of these potential issues and knowing how to troubleshoot them, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable icon customization experience.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks! Transforming your iPhone's news app icon into a sleek black and white masterpiece is totally achievable with a few simple methods. Whether you opt for the built-in Shortcuts app, explore the world of third-party icon customization apps, or embrace a full-blown monochrome theme, the power to personalize your iPhone's home screen is in your hands. Remember, it's all about creating a visual experience that resonates with your style and preferences. So go ahead, experiment with different techniques, and unleash your inner designer. Who knows, you might just discover a whole new level of iPhone aesthetic you never knew existed. Happy customizing!