How to Change an App Name on iPhone: A Definitive Guide

Want to personalize your iPhone’s home screen and ditch those generic app names? While iOS doesn’t offer a direct, built-in feature to rename apps, fear not! There are effective workarounds to achieve this, allowing you to tailor your iPhone experience to your exact preferences.

The Quick Answer: How to Change an App Name

The most reliable method for changing an app name on your iPhone involves using the Shortcuts app. This method doesn’t actually rename the original app. Instead, it creates a custom shortcut icon on your home screen that launches the app but displays the name you choose. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Open the Shortcuts app: It comes pre-installed on iPhones running iOS 13 and later. If you can’t find it, download it from the App Store.
2. Create a new shortcut: Tap the “+” button in the top right corner to start a new shortcut.
3. Add an action: Tap “Add Action” and search for “Open App”.
4. Select the app: Tap “Choose” and select the app you want to rename.
5. Add to Home Screen: Tap the three dots in the top right corner. This opens the shortcut details. Type in the desired new name for the app in the “Shortcut Name” field. Then tap “Add to Home Screen”.
6. Customize the icon (optional): On the “Add to Home Screen” screen, tap the default icon (the image next to the new name). You can choose to “Take Photo,” “Choose Photo,” or “Choose File” to select a new image for the shortcut icon.
7. Add the shortcut: Tap “Add” in the top right corner.

Voila! A new icon with your chosen name will appear on your home screen, launching the selected app when tapped. Remember, the original app icon remains in your App Library, or on your Home Screen if you haven’t removed it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions and detailed answers to help you further understand the nuances of changing app names on your iPhone:

1. Can I completely rename an app and remove the original icon?

No, using the Shortcuts app does not truly rename the app itself. It creates a shortcut that opens the original app. The original app icon will still be accessible from your App Library and, depending on your Home Screen organization, it may still be on your Home Screen as well. You can remove it from the home screen only.

2. Is there any other way to change an app name without using Shortcuts?

Currently, no other officially supported method exists on iOS to directly rename apps without jailbreaking. The Shortcuts app provides the only viable workaround. Previously, configuration profiles could achieve similar results, but Apple has restricted their functionality.

3. Will renaming an app through Shortcuts affect its functionality?

Absolutely not. The shortcut simply launches the original app. All features, settings, and data associated with the app remain untouched. Think of it as a cleverly disguised doorway to the same destination.

4. Can I change the app icon as well as the name using Shortcuts?

Yes! As described in the steps above, the “Add to Home Screen” feature in Shortcuts allows you to customize the icon by choosing a photo from your library, taking a new photo, or selecting a file. This provides a great opportunity to further personalize your iPhone’s aesthetic.

5. Is it possible to rename system apps like Mail or Safari?

Yes, you can rename and change the icon for system apps using the Shortcuts method. However, deleting or hiding system apps can have unintended consequences, so proceed with caution. Consider only removing them from the Home Screen, leaving them available in the App Library.

6. Can I revert back to the original app name and icon after using Shortcuts?

Yes, easily! Simply delete the shortcut you created from your home screen. The original app icon and name will remain untouched in your App Library. If the original icon was removed from the Home Screen, you’ll need to re-add it from the App Library to the Home Screen.

7. Will the new app name be reflected in notifications or within the app itself?

No. The changed name only applies to the shortcut icon on your home screen. Notifications and the app’s title within the app itself will still display the original name.

8. Does this method work on all iPhone models and iOS versions?

The Shortcuts app is available on iPhones running iOS 13 and later. Therefore, this method should work on all iPhone models that support those iOS versions. Older iOS versions lack the necessary Shortcuts functionality.

9. Are there any risks involved in using Shortcuts to rename apps?

The method itself poses no direct risks to your iPhone or data. However, be mindful when selecting custom icons. Avoid using icons that could be misleading or confusing, especially for sensitive apps like banking or security tools.

10. Can I share the custom app icons I create with others?

Not directly. Shortcuts can be shared, but the recipient would need to have the corresponding app installed. Furthermore, the icon image file would need to be transferred separately or accessed online, meaning the other person would have to go through the process of adding the image file manually.

11. What happens if I delete the original app after creating a shortcut?

If you delete the original app, the shortcut will no longer function. Tapping the shortcut icon will simply result in an error message. The shortcut will become a useless artifact on your home screen.

12. Is there a way to batch rename multiple apps at once?

Unfortunately, no. The Shortcuts method requires creating a separate shortcut for each app you want to rename. There is no built-in functionality to automate this process or apply a rename across multiple apps simultaneously. Each app requires a unique shortcut.