25 Customization Tips for iOS 26: Make Your iPhone Truly Yours
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If you want to know the top customization tips for iOS 26 to personalize your iPhone, this guide has them all. These tips help you change your home screen, lock screen, apps, sounds, and more, using iOS 26's new Liquid Glass design and hidden settings.
From making icons transparent to setting custom backgrounds in Messages, you will learn step-by-step ways to make your iPhone look and work the way you like. iOS 26 runs on iPhone 11 and newer models, so check your device in Settings > General > About before starting.
Understanding iOS 26 Customization
iOS 26 brings a shiny new look called Liquid Glass, where app icons and menus appear glossy and see-through. This design lets light reflect off edges when you tilt your phone, giving a 3D feel. To get started, update your iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update after backing up your data. These tips build on that design, letting you tweak visuals, sounds, and behaviors. For a full overview of the update, see our iOS 26 Review.
25 Customization Tips for iOS 26
Here are 25 ways to customize your iPhone with iOS 26. Each tip is clear and actionable, so you can try them right away.
1. Enable the Liquid Glass Design
The Liquid Glass design gives your iPhone a glossy, see-through look. App icons, widgets, and menus reflect light as you tilt your phone, creating a 3D effect. To activate it fully, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Appearance and ensure Light or Automatic is selected. Tilt your phone on the home screen to see the glassy effect in action.
2. Make App Icons Transparent
For a sleek home screen, make your app icons transparent with the Clear mode. Long press the home screen, tap Edit > Customize, and select Clear. This lets your wallpaper shine through the icons, giving a clean, modern look. You can also choose Tinted to match your phone’s color.
3. Match App Icons to Your Phone or Case
Want your icons to match your iPhone or its case? Long press the home screen, tap Edit > Customize > Tinted, and tap the phone or case icon. iOS 26 will adjust the icon colors to complement your device, like Mist Blue for iPhone 17 or Cosmic Orange for iPhone 17 Pro. Learn more about the latest models in our iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison.
4. Resize the Lock Screen Clock
You can change the size of your lock screen clock to fit your style. Press and hold the lock screen, tap Customize > Lock Screen, and drag the bottom-right corner of the clock to make it bigger or smaller. You can also switch between glassy or solid clock styles for a unique look.
5. Add a 3D Spatial Wallpaper
Turn your lock screen wallpaper into a 3D scene with the spatial effect. Press and hold the lock screen, tap Customize, and select a photo with depth data (like one taken in Portrait mode). Tap the spatial effect button (a crossed-out circle when off). Tilt your phone to see the wallpaper move, making it feel alive.
6. Move Lock Screen Widgets
Customize where your lock screen widgets sit. Press and hold the lock screen, tap Customize, and drag widgets to the top or bottom. For example, place your weather widget below the clock for a cleaner layout. This hack keeps your lock screen organized.
7. Set a Custom Ringtone from an MP3
Create a unique ringtone without extra apps. Find an MP3 file under 30 seconds in the Files app, press and hold it, then tap Share > More > Use as Ringtone. It’ll appear in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. This is a great way to personalize your phone’s sound.
8. Customize iMessage Chat Backgrounds
Make your Messages app stand out with custom backgrounds. Open a conversation, tap the contact’s name, and select Backgrounds. Choose a preset like Aurora, upload a photo, or use AI via Image Playground to create one. Enable this in Settings > Apps > Messages > Conversation Backgrounds.
9. Create Custom Polls in Group Chats
Planning with friends? In a group chat, tap the + button, select Polls, and add options like “Movie Night” or “Game Night.” Send it, and everyone can vote. Results update in real time, making group decisions fun and easy.
10. Change Folder Colors in Files
Organize your Files app with colored folders. Open a folder, tap the three dots, and select Customize Folder > Tags. Pick a color like blue or red to make folders easy to spot. This hack keeps your documents tidy.
11. Add Emojis to Files Folders
Add personality to your Files app folders with emojis. Open a folder, tap the three dots, and choose Customize Folder. Tap the emoji option and pick one, like a star or heart. This makes finding folders quicker and more fun.
12. Customize Safari Tab Bar Position
Move the Safari tab bar to suit your browsing style. Go to Settings > Safari > Tabs and choose Compact (bottom, minimal), Bottom, or Top. Compact is great for one-handed use, while Top feels more traditional.
13. Arrange Safari Tabs by Title or Website
Organize your open Safari tabs for easier navigation. In Safari’s tab view, tap the three dots and select Arrange Tabs By > Title or Website. This groups tabs alphabetically or by site, making it easier to find what you need.
14. Customize Camera Controls
If you have an iPhone with a Camera Control button (like iPhone 17 Pro), tailor its options. Go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control > Customize and add or remove features like zoom, exposure, or filters. This makes shooting photos faster.
15. Hide Camera Indicators
Clean up the Camera app by hiding indicators like flash or Live Photo. Go to Settings > Camera > Indicators and toggle off Flash, Live Photo, or Action Mode. This simplifies the interface for quick shots.
16. Customize Podcast Playback
Personalize podcast settings for each show. In the Podcasts app, open a show, tap the three dots, and select Settings > Speed and Audio Adjustment. Set a custom playback speed (like 1.5x) or enable enhanced dialogue for clearer voices.
17. Adjust Podcast Speed by Swiping
Change podcast speed on the fly. During playback, swipe up or down on the speed button (like 1x) to adjust from 0.5x to 2x. This hack lets you tweak speed without digging into settings.
18. Customize Music Haptics
Make music feel more immersive with haptics. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing > Music Haptics and adjust intensity to Light, Medium, or Strong. You can also choose Full Mix or Vocals Only for different vibration styles.
19. Set Music Tap Actions
Change what happens when you tap pinned songs or playlists. In the Music app, haptic press a pinned item, tap Tap Action, and choose Play, Shuffle, or Go to Playlist. This saves time when accessing favorites.
20. Enable Automix in Music
Make song transitions smooth like a DJ. Go to Settings > Music > Song Transitions > Automix and toggle it on. Songs fade into each other with cool artwork transitions, enhancing your listening experience.
21. Customize Vehicle Motion Cues
If you get motion sickness, tweak vehicle motion cues. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Vehicle Motion Cues > Customize. Adjust dot size, number, color, or pattern to make them less distracting while driving.
22. Change Full-Screen Music on Lock Screen
When playing music, tap the album art on the lock screen to go full-screen. Customize this in Settings > Music > Lock Screen Playback by choosing different artwork styles or enabling a glassy effect to match Liquid Glass.
23. Set Default Calling App
Choose your preferred calling app, like FaceTime or WhatsApp. Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calling and select your app. This ensures calls start in your chosen app for a seamless experience.
24. Customize Input Microphone
Pick a specific microphone for calls or recordings. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Input and select a connected device, like AirPods or a wired mic. This is great for clear audio during video calls.
25. Disable Lock Sound
Turn off the lock sound for a quieter experience. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Lock Sound and toggle it off. This is a subtle way to personalize your phone’s behavior.
Why Customize iOS 26?
Customizing your iPhone makes it feel like an extension of you. These tips let you tweak visuals, sounds, and app behaviors to match your preferences. Whether you want a vibrant home screen or a quiet phone, iOS 26’s flexibility has you covered. For more ways to use iOS 26, explore our 77 Tips and Tricks for iOS 26.
Compatibility and Installation Tips
iOS 26 works on iPhone 11 and newer, including the latest iPhone 17 lineup. Since it’s in beta, it may have bugs or cause your phone to warm up. Wait for the full release in September 2025 for the best experience, or use a secondary device for the beta. Always back up your data before updating. To learn about compatible devices, see our iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max guide.
Customization Tips Summary Table
Here’s a quick table summarizing the top customization tips for iOS 26:
| Tip | Description | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid Glass Design | Shiny, transparent interface with 3D effects | Settings > Display & Brightness > Appearance |
| Transparent Icons | Make icons see-through | Home screen > Edit > Customize > Clear |
| Lock Screen Clock | Resize and style clock | Lock screen > Customize > Adjust clock |
| Spatial Wallpaper | 3D moving wallpaper | Lock screen > Customize > Spatial effect |
| Custom Ringtone | Use MP3 as ringtone | Files > Share > Use as Ringtone |
| iMessage Backgrounds | Add custom chat backgrounds | Messages > Contact name > Backgrounds |
| Safari Tab Bar | Move tab bar position | Settings > Safari > Tabs |
| Music Haptics | Adjust haptic feedback for music | Settings > Accessibility > Hearing > Music Haptics |
| Automix | Smooth song transitions | Settings > Music > Song Transitions > Automix |
| Vehicle Motion Cues | Customize motion dots | Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Vehicle Motion Cues |
FAQ
1. What is the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26?
The Liquid Glass design is iOS 26’s new look, making app icons, widgets, and menus appear glossy and transparent. Tilt your phone to see light reflections for a 3D effect. Enable it in Settings > Display & Brightness > Appearance by choosing Light or Automatic. For more on iOS 26’s features, check our iOS 26 Review.
2. How do I make my app icons transparent in iOS 26?
To make icons transparent, long press the home screen, tap Edit > Customize, and select Clear. This lets your wallpaper show through the icons. You can also use Tinted to match your phone’s color. This is one of the coolest customization hacks in iOS 26!
3. Can I customize the lock screen clock in iOS 26?
Yes! Press and hold the lock screen, tap Customize > Lock Screen, and drag the clock’s bottom-right corner to resize it. You can also switch between glassy or solid styles to match your wallpaper. This makes your lock screen uniquely yours.
4. Which iPhones support iOS 26’s customization features?
iOS 26 works on iPhone 11 and newer, including iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 series. Older models like iPhone XR or XS are not supported. Check your model in Settings > General > About. For details on new iPhones, see our iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max.
5. Are there customization tips for older iOS versions?
While iOS 26 has unique features like Liquid Glass, older versions like iOS 18.5 offer some customization, such as new wallpapers and Backtap controls. For tips on older versions, read our iOS 18.5 Review. For more iOS 26 hacks, see our 77 Tips and Tricks for iOS 26.
Conclusion
These 25 customization tips for iOS 26 let you transform your iPhone’s look, sound, and feel. From transparent icons to custom chat backgrounds, you can make your device stand out. Try these hacks to create a phone that’s truly yours. For more ways to explore iOS 26, check out our 77 Tips and Tricks for iOS 26. Keep experimenting to discover even more!