Customise iPhone - The Ultimate Guide to Customising Your iPhone Experience

In 2023, Apple made a whopping $383.2 billion in money, and more than half of that, around 52%, came from selling iPhones. Now, that's a massive chunk of change! But here's the cool part: your iPhone is not just a regular gadget; it's a big deal in our lives.

Sure, the default settings on your iPhone are okay, but what if we told you there's a whole new world beyond the basics? Imagine making your iPhone super special and just right for you.

In this blog post, we will spill the beans on how to turn your iPhone from basic to awesome. So, without further ado, let's get started:

Home Screen Customization

The home screen is your iPhone's gateway to a world of possibilities, but a cluttered layout can be overwhelming.

By organizing your apps strategically, you improve efficiency and create a visually appealing digital space.

Rearranging Apps

To rearrange your apps, simply tap and hold any app icon until all icons start to wiggle. Now, drag and drop the apps to your desired locations. Consider grouping similar apps together or placing frequently used ones within easy reach.

Creating Folders

Folders are a powerful tool for reducing clutter. To create a folder, drag one app icon onto another. The iPhone will automatically create a folder and suggest a name based on the app category. Feel free to customize the name to suit your preferences.

Perhaps opt for minimalist wallpapers that complement your app icons. Consider using a consistent theme, or explore third-party icon packs for a unique look. A clean layout not only enhances aesthetics but also makes navigation smoother.

Live Icons

Certain apps support live icons that display real-time information. For example, the Calendar app icon can show the current date and the Reddit app can display the amount of new notifications.

To enable live icons, open the Settings app and scroll down to find your chosen app, tap it to enter its settings, then tap on the Notifications option, look for an option called Badge, and toggle this on.

Customise Control Center Icons

As standard, the Control Center is equipped with many helpful features, some of which we rarely use. Why pull down the Control Center from the top, just to end up confused for 10 seconds before we find the control we are after? Fortunately, the Control Center can be easily customised to display only our favorite and most used features, here's how to do that:

1. Open the Settings app, scroll down, find, and tap the Control Center option.
2. Here you will see a list of your controls available, simply press the plus and minus icons to add and remove the controls of your choice.
3. The controls can also be rearranged, by pressing and holding the stripes icon on the right and moving the control up or down.

Widgets

Widgets are really useful, on every smartphone I've owned, widgets were used heavily. They serve as quick reminders, display to-do's, offer glimpses of information, and more. For this example, I will use the Calendar app. To add the iPhone Calendar widget to your home screen:

1. Press and hold anywhere on your iPhone home screen, when the apps start to shake, find and tap the plus icon on the top left of the screen.
2. Now, from the list of widgets find the Calendar widget and tap it to see what is available, then either tap on Add Widget or slide it to the side to see the variations of the widget. Tap Add Widget when you are ready.
3. The widget will auto-place on your home screen now, long press and move the widget to move it to your preferred position, then finish up by tapping the Done button on the top right.

Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality

While widgets and live icons offer functionality, striking a balance with aesthetics is key. Choose widgets that serve a purpose in your daily routine and complement your home screen's overall look. Experiment with different sizes and arrangements to find what suits you best.

Lock Screen Personalization

By personalizing your lock screen, you can make your iPhone more visually appealing and tailored to your individual needs, adding a touch of personality to the first screen you encounter when using your device.

Dynamic Wallpapers

Elevate your lock screen with dynamic wallpapers. Dynamic wallpapers are special wallpapers on your iPhone that have an interactive or changing element. Unlike static wallpapers, dynamic wallpapers can shift and evolve, often responding to the time of day or your device's movements.

To set dynamic wallpapers go to Settings followed by Wallpaper, tap Choose a New Wallpaper, and select a dynamic option from here. A dynamic option is either the live photos you have or an animated option created by Apple or a third-party app. Some wallpapers such as the astronomy wallpaper, change with the time of day, adding an extra layer of personalization.

Experiment with different dynamic wallpapers to find the perfect fit for your lock screen.

Notification Center Customization

Notification center customization involves tailoring the way notifications appear and behave on your iPhone's Notification Center. This customization allows you to manage how and when you receive alerts, making your device's notification system work according to your preferences.

Control which notifications appear on your lock screen by going to Settings and then Notifications. From here, you can choose how each app notifies you and whether it shows notifications on the lock screen. Prioritize essential apps for quick access.

Prevent notification overload by utilizing grouping and stacking options. For app notifications that tend to pile up, enable grouping to keep things tidy. Stacking notifications allows you to interact with a batch of notifications simultaneously, reducing clutter.

Changing Notification Sounds

Beyond ringtones, you can customize various system sounds on your iPhone. From message alerts to keyboard clicks, make your device sound uniquely yours.

Navigate to Settings and then Sounds & Haptics. Here, you can customize the sound for text messages, emails, and other notifications. Choose from the default sounds or select something more to your liking.

For a broader range of customization options, explore third-party apps that allow you to create and customize alert sounds. Apps like "Zedge" offer a vast library of sounds to choose from.

Personalized Ringtones and Sounds

Your iPhone's ringtone uniquely extends your personality. Stand out from the default tones by selecting a custom ringtone. Custom ringtones not only add a personal touch but also make it easier to identify incoming calls in a crowded space.

It's easier than you think! Here’s a step-by-step method on how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app, then tap on the Sounds & Haptics option, followed by Ringtone.
2. Select the Tone Store option, here find a tone to purchase and download, such as Nokia Kick.
3. After purchasing the tone, go back to the Ringtones area within the Settings app, and you will see the Tone downloaded and ready to use at the top. If the tone is not there, please press Download All Purchased Tones.
4. Then just tap on the ringtone to use it and a tick will appear beside it to confirm the tone is now being used as the default ringtone.

Consider assigning unique tones to different contacts for a more personalized experience. This can be done by accessing a contact card from the Phone app, tapping on the Edit button at the top, then scrolling down and tapping Ringtone, and choosing the preferred ringtone for that contact.

Extras

Contact Posters

Did you know, we can now set up a photo/poster to automatically display on our contact's phones when we call them? With this feature, you can have a personalized picture of yourself or anything else, appear on the call receiver's end, which is quite cool. To set this up:

1. First launch the Phone app and head to the Contacts tab at the bottom, then find and tap the My Card option displayed at the top,
2. On the next screen press the option for Contact Photo & Poster.
3. Here you can enter some basic details like your name, you should have an edit button here, press this to start creating your personalized contact photo and poster.
4. After you have created the contact photo and poster, underneath the edit button, find the option for Name & Photo Sharing and switch this on.
5. Then choose your preferred option for the Share Automatically option, I have this set to Contacts Only.

We found on testing that it may take some time for the update to display the contact poster on the call receiver's end, however, it does work well and looks really good.

Add Different Language Keyboards

If you are learning a new language, like me, you might be using Google Translate to translate words for you. Having the right keyboard for the language you are learning woud be very helpful. Here is how to set multiple keyboards on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app, scroll down and tap the General option.
2. On the next page, scroll down and tap the Keyboard option, then tap Keyboards at the top to display your currently installed keyboards.
3. Then tap Add New Keyboard, find your choice of language, and add it. You will then see it appear in the list of available keyboards.

To use the newly added keyboard is super easy, when you have the keyboard open for typing, simply click on the globe icon located on the bottom left, to swap between languages.

Siri's Voice

Siri sounds cool as is, but, we can make it sound better. Here's how:

1. First open the Settings app and scroll down, then find and tap Siri & Search option.
2. Now tap the Siri Voice option, and select a region from the variety list, followed by the voice number (I use American, voice 3).

Advanced Software Tweaks

Advanced software tweaks refer to making sophisticated adjustments to the software or operating system of your iPhone to enhance its functionality beyond what is typically offered by Apple through official channels.

While these tweaks can provide advanced customization options, it's important to note that some may require more technical know-how and come with potential risks. Here are two aspects related to advanced software tweaks:

Jailbreaking

Jailbreaking is an option for those seeking advanced customization beyond what's offered in the official App Store. However, it's essential to understand the risks and potential consequences before proceeding.

While it provides access to a wide range of customization tweaks, themes, and apps unavailable on the App Store, it also poses increased security risks, voided warranty, and potential instability. Therefore, jailbreaking requires careful consideration.

If you decide to explore jailbreaking, research reliable sources and tools such as Cydia and uncover the possibilities within the jailbreaking community.

App Recommendations

Even without jailbreaking, third-party apps on the App Store offer deeper customization options for your iPhone.

• Launcher Apps: Apps like Launch Center Pro allow you to create custom shortcuts for various actions, enhancing the efficiency of your iPhone.
• Icon Customization Apps: Explore apps that let you change the look of your app icons, adding a personal touch to your home screen.
• Widget Apps: Find apps that offer additional widgets beyond the built-in options, providing more ways to personalize your home screen.

Before downloading third-party customization apps, check user reviews and ratings to ensure a positive and reliable experience. Some apps may offer free trials or basic versions, allowing you to explore before committing.

Wrapping it Up

In a nutshell, customizing your iPhone is like giving it a unique personality that fits you perfectly. From changing wallpapers to creating personalized ringtones, it's not just about making your phone look cool; it's about making it truly yours. By exploring these tweaks and adjustments, you're not just upgrading your device; you're making it an extension of who you are.