# Personalizing App Icons in iOS 18: A Dark Mode Guide and Beyond
With iOS 18’s launch, Apple has rolled out a long-awaited feature that permits users to personalize app icons on their iPhone and iPad. This fresh ability enables users to pick from light mode, dark mode, or tinted style appearances for their icons, giving a distinctive flair to the home screen. However, numerous users have observed that not all icons adjust when opting for dark mode. This article delves into effectively utilizing dark mode icons and explaining why certain icons might not refresh as anticipated.
## How to Apply Dark Mode Icons on iOS 18
Personalizing your app icons is an easy endeavor. Adhere to these instructions to activate dark mode icons on your device:
1. **Long-press** on your iPhone home screen.
2. Tap **‘Edit’** in the upper-left section of the screen.
3. Choose **‘Customize’** from the appearing menu.
4. Select **‘Dark’** to set dark mode icon colors. Alternatively, pick **‘Automatic’** to have dark mode icons turn on only at night.
This feature facilitates a more unified and tailored look on your device, adjusting the icons’ appearance based on your tastes or the time of day.
## Why Do Some App Icons Fail to Change Color?
After personalizing your icons, you might realize that some app icons, like the Reddit icon, don’t transition to a dark hue. This variation can be traced back to two primary reasons:
### 1. Developer Updates
For an app icon to shift to dark mode, app creators must refresh their applications to integrate specific dark mode icon assets. As iOS 18 gains greater acceptance, numerous developers are anticipated to issue updates that incorporate these new assets, fostering a more consistent appearance across your home screen. Until then, users may need to wait for their preferred apps to adapt to this fresh feature.
### 2. iOS Rendering Constraints
If a developer hasn’t supplied a dark icon asset, iOS tries to render one automatically. The system evaluates the icon to identify foreground and background components and applies appropriate theming. Nevertheless, this process isn’t always reliable. In cases like the Reddit icon, the system may face challenges in differentiating elements within the icon image, resulting in minimal modifications. Rather than a complete color change, iOS might only impose a slight dimming effect, which could create a discrepancy with the largely dark or gray icons surrounding it.
As a user, there’s little you can do to hasten this process. You cannot manually select or upload your own app icon images unless the developer has provided custom icon options within the app. To enjoy dark mode icons for apps that currently lack support, you will have to wait for developers to release updates featuring the new icon designs.
## Tinted Icons: A Consistent Choice
If you prefer a more cohesive look on your home screen, consider using tinted app icons instead of the standard dark mode ones. Tinted icons boast an accent color against a deep black background, offering a visually striking alternative that can be universally applied. This option may particularly appeal to users seeking a consistent aesthetic across all their icons, irrespective of whether individual apps have received updates for dark mode.
## Conclusion
The customization features introduced in iOS 18 provide an enhanced level of personalization for both iPhone and iPad users. While the capability to switch app icons to dark mode is a welcomed enhancement, the inconsistency in icon appearances can be exasperating. As developers refresh their apps to accommodate dark mode icons, users can eagerly anticipate a more coherent home screen experience. In the meantime, exploring tinted icons can offer a gratifying alternative for those in search of a unified aesthetic.
