How to Make Clear iPhone App Icons with iOS 26

Apple’s iOS 26 marks one of the most significant visual redesigns for the iPhone in years. The update introduces a new design language called Liquid Glass, which emphasizes transparency and layering throughout the interface. Among the many changes, the biggest transformation comes to the Home Screen. For the first time, users can make all app icons appear clear, removing color entirely for a sleek, futuristic effect.

This article will guide you through enabling Clear icons on your iPhone, explain additional customization options such as Dark, Tinted, and Auto modes, and show you how these changes extend to the iPad and Mac. If you are looking for a bold new way to refresh your Home Screen, Clear mode could be the most dramatic update Apple has ever introduced.

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What Are Clear App Icons in iOS 26?

Clear app icons strip away the traditional color and design elements from your Home Screen. Instead, they adopt a minimal, semi-transparent look that integrates seamlessly with the new Liquid Glass design.

While this may reduce instant app recognition based on color, it provides a uniform, modern, and distraction-free visual style. Apple also extends this transparency effect to widgets, ensuring that the entire Home Screen looks consistent.

Short Summary

How to Enable Clear App Icons on iPhone

Apple makes it simple to turn on Clear icons with just a few steps:

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1. Enter Jiggle Mode

   • Touch and hold an empty area on your Home Screen until the icons begin to jiggle.

2. Open Edit Options

   • Tap Edit in the top-left corner of the display.

3. Select Customize

   • Choose Customize, the second option on the list.

4. Choose Clear Appearance

   • In the menu that appears at the bottom, select Clear (third icon type).

5. Pick Appearance Preference

   • By default, Light appearance is active. You can also choose Dark or Auto (automatically switches between Light and Dark based on your system theme).

6. Save Changes

   • Tap anywhere on the Home Screen to apply and save the change.

Now, all your iPhone app icons will appear in the Clear style.

Switching Back to Default Icons

If you want to restore your original colorful icons:

• Repeat Steps 1-3 above.

• Select Default instead of Clear.

You can also experiment with other styles:

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• Dark icons: Always use darker tones.

• Auto icons: Switch automatically between light and dark appearances.

• Tinted icons: A redesigned mode in iOS 26 that adds subtle color tones to the Clear look.

Clear Icons on iPad and Mac

Apple has extended this customization across its ecosystem:

• iPadOS 26: The same steps used on the iPhone apply to iPad, allowing users to set Clear icons across the larger tablet display. Multiple Home Screens can also be created with different icon styles for each, offering even more personalization.

• macOS Tahoe 26: Clear and Tinted options are now available for the first time on Mac. You can enable them under Settings > Appearance > Icon & Widget Style. The Mac also introduces Dark icons, giving users a new level of desktop customization.

This cross-platform consistency ensures that whether you are using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, your app icons can maintain a cohesive visual identity.

Why Use Clear App Icons?

The Clear option may not be for everyone, but it offers unique benefits:

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• Minimalist Design: Ideal for those who prefer a clean, distraction-free interface.

• Futuristic Look: The transparency effect feels aligned with Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic.

• Widget Integration: Icons and widgets share the same transparent styling, creating visual harmony.

• Multiple Home Screens: Each Home Screen can have its own unique style, meaning you can mix Default, Clear, and Dark icons across different pages.

While losing traditional color coding may initially make apps harder to identify, the overall appearance is striking and modern.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do Clear app icons remove the app logos completely?

A. No. Clear icons retain the basic shapes and symbols of app logos, but remove colors for a semi-transparent effect.

2. Can I use Clear icons only on certain Home Screens?

A. Yes. Starting with iOS 26, you can create multiple Home Screens and apply different icon styles to each.

3. Will Clear icons work on older iPhones?

A. Clear icons are a feature of iOS 26. Any iPhone compatible with iOS 26 will support the feature.

4. Are Clear icons available on iPad and Mac?

A. Yes. iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 both include Clear and Tinted icons, with Mac offering Dark mode icons for the first time.

5. Can I revert back to colored icons?

A. Absolutely. You can switch back to the Default option at any time by repeating the customization steps.

Conclusion

The introduction of Clear icons in iOS 26 is one of the boldest visual changes Apple has ever made to the iPhone Home Screen. By embracing transparency and minimalism, Apple allows users to personalize their devices like never before. With options like Clear, Dark, Auto, and Tinted, users can match their Home Screens to their personal style or system settings.

For those ready to embrace the future of Apple design, Clear mode is a dramatic and stylish upgrade that extends beyond the iPhone to iPad and Mac. Whether you use it full-time or only on select Home Screens, Clear icons make iOS 26 feel like a fresh beginning.

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