Where to find color settings for your apps
Most apps on your iPhone don't have a built-in color-change feature you control directly. Instead, the color of an app's interface depends on whether your phone is set to Light Mode or Dark Mode, and some apps let you pick a color accent or theme from within their own settings. The steps differ depending on which app you're using and what that app actually offers.
If you want to change how an app looks, start by opening the app itself and looking for a Settings or Preferences option — usually found by tapping a gear icon, three horizontal lines, or your profile picture. Not every app has this option, but many do. Some apps let you choose between light and dark themes, pick an accent color, or adjust text size and contrast.
If the app doesn't have its own color settings, you can switch your entire phone to Dark Mode, which will make most apps display with darker backgrounds and lighter text. This affects the system-wide appearance, not just one app.
Key Takeaways
- Individual apps control their own color options — check inside each app's settings menu for a theme or appearance option.
- Dark Mode and Light Mode on your iPhone affect how most apps look, and you can switch between them in Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Some apps offer accent color choices or custom themes, but this varies widely depending on the app developer.
- If an app doesn't offer color customization, you cannot change its appearance without switching your phone's overall display mode.
Changing Dark Mode and Light Mode for all apps
The fastest way to change app colors across your phone is to switch between Dark Mode and Light Mode. This affects nearly every app at once, though some apps override this setting with their own design choices.
Open Settings and tap Display & Brightness. You'll see three options at the top: Light, Dark, and Automatic. Tap Dark to switch everything to dark backgrounds, or tap Light to switch back. If you choose Automatic, your phone will switch to Dark Mode at sunset and back to Light Mode at sunrise, or on whatever schedule you set.
Keep in mind that switching modes affects your entire phone — your home screen, lock screen, and system menus will all change. Some apps will follow this setting immediately, while others may have their own theme setting that overrides it.
Finding color options inside individual apps
Many popular apps like Instagram, Twitter, Gmail, and Spotify have their own appearance settings separate from your phone's Dark Mode setting. To find these, open the app and look for a menu icon — this is often three horizontal lines, a gear icon, or your profile picture in a corner.
Once you find the menu, look for words like Settings, Preferences, Appearance, Theme, or Display. Tap that option and you may see choices like Light Theme, Dark Theme, or a color picker. Some apps let you choose an accent color that highlights buttons and links. Others offer multiple theme options with names like Classic, Modern, or High Contrast.
Not every app offers this. If you don't see an appearance or theme option in the app's settings menu, that app doesn't have color customization built in. In that case, your only option is to use Dark Mode or Light Mode on your phone.
Using Focus modes to change app appearance by situation
iOS lets you create Focus modes — custom settings that activate automatically based on time, location, or what you're doing. You can set a different appearance for each Focus mode, so your apps might look one way during work and another way during personal time.
Open Settings and tap Focus. Tap the plus icon to create a new Focus, give it a name like Work or Sleep, and follow the prompts. When you reach the Appearance section, you can choose a specific lock screen design and set Dark Mode or Light Mode for that Focus only.
When that Focus activates, your phone will automatically switch to the appearance you chose. This is useful if you prefer Dark Mode in the evening but Light Mode during the day — you can automate the switch instead of changing it manually.
Changing the home screen app icon colors
If you want to change the color of app icons on your home screen, you can create custom shortcuts using the Shortcuts app. This doesn't change the app itself, but it lets you display a different-colored icon that opens the app when you tap it.
Open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut. Tap Add Action and search for Open App. Select the app you want to customize. Then tap the three dots at the top right, scroll down, and tap Add to Home Screen. Choose a name and tap the icon preview to pick a custom image or color.
This method takes more time than changing the app's built-in theme, but it gives you complete control over what the icon looks like. The actual app inside remains unchanged — only the icon on your home screen is different.
Why some apps don't let you change colors
App developers decide what color options to include. Some apps, especially older ones or simple utilities, don't offer any appearance settings at all. Others offer only Dark Mode and Light Mode, while premium apps might include multiple themes or full color customization.
If an app doesn't have color options in its settings, you cannot change how it looks without switching your phone's Dark Mode setting. You can contact the app's developer through the App Store to request this feature, but there's no may provide they'll add it.
The best workaround is to use your phone's Dark Mode or Light Mode setting, which affects most apps automatically. If that doesn't work for a specific app, creating a custom home screen icon with a different color (using the method described above) is your only other option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of just one app without affecting others?
Not through the system settings. You can only switch Dark Mode or Light Mode for your entire phone. However, if that app has its own theme settings, you can customize it individually. Alternatively, you can create a custom home screen icon with a different color using the Shortcuts app, though this only changes how the icon looks, not the app itself.
Why did my app colors change when I didn't do anything?
Your phone likely switched between Dark Mode and Light Mode automatically. If you have Automatic selected in Settings > Display & Brightness, your phone switches at sunset and sunrise. Check that setting and choose Light or Dark if you want a consistent appearance all day.
Does changing Dark Mode affect battery life?
On iPhones with OLED screens (iPhone 12 and newer), Dark Mode uses slightly less battery because black pixels require less power. On older iPhones with LCD screens, there's no battery difference. If battery life is your concern, Dark Mode may help slightly on newer models, but the effect is small.
Can I set different colors for different times of day?
Yes, by using Focus modes. Create a Focus for morning, afternoon, and evening, and set a different appearance (Dark or Light Mode) for each one. Set each Focus to activate automatically at specific times, and your phone will switch appearances without you doing anything.
What if an app looks wrong in Dark Mode?
Some apps don't display properly in Dark Mode because the developer didn't test it thoroughly. Try switching back to Light Mode for that app if possible, or contact the app's developer to report the problem. If the app has its own theme setting, try switching that instead of using your phone's Dark Mode.